Valentine’s Day is in four days. FOUR. DAYS. If you’re anything like me, this realization hit somewhere between sipping my (now cold) coffee and stepping on a rogue LEGO this morning. And if you’re really like me, you’re simultaneously wondering how the calendar jumped from New Year’s Eve to mid-February and why your child’s class decided that homemade valentines are ‘highly encouraged.’ But don’t worry, mama. I got you. We are about to turn this last-minute, slightly-panicked, Pinterest-level Valentine’s situation into a stress-free, fun-filled victory.
Let’s talk easy DIY valentines, classroom-friendly treats, and activities that won’t have you questioning your life choices.
DIY Valentines That Won’t Break Your Sanity
I’m all for adorable, handmade, wow-the-other-moms valentines - when they’re made by other moms. Over here? We’re keeping it simple, cute, and doable.
- Glow Stick Valentines – Nothing says "cool mom energy" like avoiding candy while still being fun. Grab a pack of glow sticks from the dollar store, print out a cute tag that says “You make my heart GLOW!”, and boom- instant Valentine.
- Goldfish Love Notes – Buy a bulk box of Goldfish snack packs, write “I’m o-FISH-ally glad you’re my friend!” on a little card (or print from Canva because, let’s be real), and tape it on.
- Bubble Wand Magic – Mini bubble wands + “You BLOW me away, Valentine!” = minimal effort, maximum cuteness.
- Sticker Fun – Hit up Target’s Dollar Spot for Valentine’s sticker packs. Pair them with a note saying, “I’m STUCK on you!” and let the kids go wild.
Classroom Treats That Won’t Get You Side-Eyed by Other Moms
Bless the class moms who bring hand-decorated cupcakes with organic sprinkles… but today, we are embracing simplicity. (And allergy-friendly options because I do not need a “please review the school’s no-nut policy” email.)
- Heart-Shaped Rice Krispie Treats – Buy pre-made Rice Krispie treats, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, drizzle with melted chocolate, and call it a masterpiece.
- Fruit Kabobs – Alternate strawberries, grapes, and marshmallows on a stick. Look at you, serving health and fun.
- Chocolate-Dipped Pretzels – Dunk pretzel rods into melted white or pink chocolate, sprinkle, let dry, done. The bare minimum, but aesthetically pleasing.
- Valentine Snack Mix – Toss popcorn, pink M&Ms, and pretzels into cute little treat bags. Kids love it. Teachers appreciate the lack of pure sugar overload.
Fun Valentine’s Day Activities (That Don’t Require a PhD in Crafting)
- Heart Scavenger Hunt – Cut out hearts, hide them around the house, and let your kids go on a hunt. Winner gets the first pick of the candy stash (or, if your house is like mine, the last blue M&M).
- DIY Love Coupons – Have your kids create “coupons” for hugs, extra bedtime stories, or “one free ‘yes’ to anything reasonable” (keyword: reasonable).
- Valentine’s Day Dance Party – Blast Taylor Swift, grab some heart-shaped balloons, and let the chaos unfold. Bonus: It definitely counts as cardio.
- Love Notes Jar – Get a mason jar and have your kids write things they love about each family member. A great way to balance out the 56 times they argued over the same toy today.
Listen, Valentine’s Day is not a competition. (Unless you win at getting the easiest project done in record time - then yes, absolutely, it is.) The goal here is happy kids, stress-free moms, and no glue gun injuries.
So, if all else fails? Slap some heart stickers on a snack-sized bag of Goldfish, and send them on their way. I promise, they will not care. And neither will their teacher, who’s just trying to survive 24 sugared-up seven-year-olds.
Now go forth and conquer Valentine’s Day - preferably with coffee in one hand and a store-bought Rice Krispie treat in the other.
xoxo