If you are looking for a Valentine’s Day tradition to start with your kids, you will definitely want to try Valentines door hearts this year. This tradition is simple, yet so meaningful your kids will love it and look forward to it each year.
Traditions are a great way to enjoy and look forward to the holidays and if you’re anything like me you want to make holidays a fun and memorable experience for your kids. As a Mama to three littles, I am teaching you how to start a Valentines door hearts tradition your kids are going to love.
After seeing how easy Valentines door hearts are you are going to want to add this to your family’s traditions and trust me, no matter your kids’ age they will be so thankful you did.
This post is all about Valentines door hearts tradition.
Valentines Door Hearts
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A few years back when my two oldest kids were both toddlers I was searching for a Valentine’s Day tradition that I could start with them. While I found a plethora of Christmas and Thanksgiving traditions, I really struggled to find the perfect Valentine’s Day tradition.
After quite some time, I finally stumbled across Valentines door hearts. The gist of this tradition is to cut out hearts and write compliments on them. Starting February 1st, you tape one up on your kid’s door each day leading up to Valentines Day.
Unfortunately, when I came across this tradition it was already a week into February so instead of doing one each day, I decided to wait to do Valentines door hearts until the night before Valentine’s Day.
I then completely covered their door in heart compliments. When they woke up and saw their door they were over the moon excited.
At the time, neither of my kiddos could read but both were very curious to know what the hearts said. When I read each heart off the smile and joyful expression they had on their face was something I don’t think I will ever forget.
The hearts stayed on their doors for many months and the only reason they came down was because the tape was no longer sticking. Once the hearts came off their door both my girls wanted to keep their hearts in their “special box” where they are still sitting today (4 years later).
Because I got such a positive reaction from this tradition, I have done Valentines door hearts each year since. I still prefer to do this the night before Valentine’s Day.
While I think the idea of doing one heart each day leading up to the holiday sounds exciting for the kids, I think there would be a good chance my mom brain would end up forgetting to put up a heart at least one of the nights.
Either way you choose to do this tradition, your kids will love to see the reasons why you love them and what makes them special.
How to Make Valentines Door Hearts
Supplies:
- Paper (Printer paper or colored construction paper)
- Scissors
- Pen
- Tape
First, pick out the paper you want to use. If you have colored construction paper it can be fun to make different colored hearts, otherwise plain printer paper works just fine too.
Once you’ve chosen your paper fold it in half (hotdog style).
Using the folded edge of the paper, cut a half heart shape out. Open the heart up and write a compliment on it.
You can choose to make different sized hearts or if you want the hearts to all be the same size just trace your first heart to make them all match. Make sure you cut out enough hearts to completely cover your child’s door.
If you would rather, you can download and print off my free printable heart template below. All you would need to do is write out the compliments, cut out the hearts and tape them to your child’s door.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
The first time I did the Valentines door hearts tradition, two of my girls shared a room. If you also have kiddos that share a room just make sure to write the name of the child before the compliment.
You can also do different colors for each child. I made purple hearts for my oldest and pink hearts for my youngest so they could visually see which hearts were theirs since they couldn’t read yet.
On the night before Valentine’s Day, once your kiddos are asleep, tape up all the Valentines door hearts to their bedroom door and get ready to see a priceless reaction in the morning!
Compliment Ideas
If you have more than one child like myself, make sure to give each of your children different compliments to make them each feel special. If you are looking for some ideas, here is a list of some great compliments you could give your children.
I also have a free printable below that has 40 hearts with compliments on them that you can download, print and cut out.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE PRINTABLE
- You’re talented
- You are a big helper
- You are a great big sister/brother
- You are a great little sister/brother
- Your smile is contagious
- You have the best ideas
- You’re so smart
- You’re brave
- You’re a kind friend
- You have a big heart
- You are very crafty
- I enjoy your company
- You’re a great team player
- I love your curiosity
- You’re so clever
- You tell the best jokes
- You are so special
- You’re an incredible daughter
- You’re an incredible son
- I love getting to be your Mama
- You’re a hard worker
- You’re so creative
- You are a great listener
- You are caring
- You ask such great questions
- I love your confidence
- You are joyful
- I love your honesty
- I am amazed by your abilities
- You’re so funny and always making me laugh
- You’re a talented artist
- You’re so loved
- You’re a great student
- I love spending time with you
- You’re so fun to play with
- I love how you look out for others
- You are compassionate
- You’re a great storyteller
- You’re so good with animals
- You’re such an athlete
- You make the world a better place
- I love to be around you
- You have an incredible imagination
- You’re remarkable
- I am grateful for you
- I am proud of you
- You are such a great dancer
- You are a very talented writer
- You are a talented musician
- You are a great leader
- I admire your positivity
- You are one of a kind
- I can always count on you
- You give the best hugs
- You are so innovative
- I love how sincere you are
- I love the conversations we have
- You are one in a million
While I always use some of the generic compliments above, I try really hard to use a lot of specific examples. It shows my kids that I truly appreciate them and the things they specifically do.
Here are some examples of ones I have used in the past.
- You’re so helpful folding and putting laundry away for me.
- I love when you help me make breakfast for the family.
- You were a big help with the dishes last night.
- I loved the drawing you made of us together, it put a huge smile on my face.
- You were such a great big sister when you helped get your little sister an ice pack after she fell.
- I love when we snuggle up and read books together.
- Thank you for cleaning up your bedroom without me having to ask.
Here are some messages you could personalize for your child by filling in the blank.
- That was so thoughtful of you when __________.
- I really appreciated your help with __________.
- You’re great at __________.
- You worked really hard on __________.
- You set a great example for your little sister/brother when __________.
- You were a great friend when __________.
- I love when we __________.
- I love how you never give up even when it is hard, like that time when __________.
- Thank you for cleaning __________ without me asking.
- You always come up with creative solutions like when __________.
- I love watching you play __________. You’re such a team player!
- I’m proud of how hard you worked on __________.
- I love how passionate you are about __________.
- Your willingness to help with __________ makes me happy.
- That was very kind of you to share __________ with __________.
- Your hard work and determination has really paid off with __________.
- __________ is so lucky to have you for a big/little sister/brother.
- That was very generous of you to ___________.
- You showed great responsibility when __________.
I hope you and your kids enjoy this Valentine’s Day tradition as much as me and my family do. I’d love to hear about your kids’ reactions to the Valentines door hearts.
This Post Was All About How To Start A Valentines Door Hearts Tradition
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