Celebrating Love! 

Valentine’s Day is coming soon, and what better way to celebrate it than with your loved ones? And I’m not just talking about romantic dates (though those can be fun too)—remember friends, family, and kids. Save yourself the trouble of hiring a babysitter and try our tips and tricks to celebrate V-Day at home:

• Try a new craft. Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper to make new shapes without the help of scissors or glue. Sounds challenging? It is, but once you’ve transformed plain paper into a work of art you might not stop–and maybe have enough to decorate the house! Start with this pattern for origami hearts from Origami Way; it’s simple, easy, and can even work on regular paper.
• Break the ice. Tired of playing all the usual games? Try aiming for the heart with an icebreaker game that will engage their listening and conversational skills while getting to know each other in a whole new way. One game to try: If You Really Knew Me, teaches kids how to share facts about themselves. Check out the rules from Playworks.org.
• Cook together. They say that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and it’s very much true for kids! Whether you’re sharing Grandma’s recipes or trying out new ones, getting them involved in food prep will teach them valuable lessons on how to share your skills with love. Who knows, they may even change their mind about trying new foods! Check out the benefits of cooking with kids from Healthy Little Foodies, and try these kid-friendly recipes from The Food Network.