Give Your Kids the Gift of Time this Valentine’s Day – with Printables

Two years ago, I made the kids each one of these Valentine letter holders to tie on the backs of their chairs after being inspired by the tutorial found here.

And each year, during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, I’d fill it with some sort of little treat along with a note telling each kiddo something I loved about them.

But this year, instead of just adding a treat along with their note, they will each receive a gift OF ME. My time. My attention. My love.  I created some labels to be used each day – both a girl and a boy version – and am making them available as a free download (at the bottom of the page) for anyone who wishes to use them. Simply print them out, cut apart and attach them to something that goes with your activity for the day.

Included are:

Come Away (Read) With Me
Create With Me
Enjoy Tea With Me
Bake With Me
Play With Me
Picnic With Me
Explore With Me
And for Valentine’s Day: Celebrate YOU With Me

The wonderful thing is, you may not even have to leave your home or spend a lot of money to make it happen. Raid the snacks in your pantry. Check out a new library book . Use art supplies you already have on hand. Grab a cookie cutter or jar of sprinkles from your cupboard. Because you see, the gift that you’re giving your child isn’t really any of these things, but YOU.  

Here’s a little inspiration for each of the categories:

1. Come Away (Read) With Me:

Spend a few minutes browsing through the library shelves or ask a librarian for help picking out a book that will “Wow!” your child…something that’s all about their current interests. Attach the printable bookmark, present it to your child, and suggest building a fort to read it in!

 

2. Create With Me

Gather up some favorite art materials or choose those that usually remain in the back of the cabinet because they’re just too messy, and take the time to create something wonderful with your child!

3. Enjoy Tea With Me

Though I made this tag specifically for the end of a tea bag , you don’t have to be a tea drinker to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of an afternoon tea! Choose a favorite beverage – lemonade, hot chocolate, or the ingredients for a smoothie. Tie a ribbon around your item of choice and attach the tag to the end of it if you wish. To make it more special, serve it in a special cup or glass that isn’t used very often, engage yourself, and enjoy a wonderful conversation while you drink.  

4. Bake With Me

You don’t have to bake from scratch or even bake at all. Buy a roll of refrigerated cookie dough, slice and bake. Or simply melt some chocolate, dip in the end of an Oreo and add some sprinkles. The process doesn’t matter, just invite your kiddo into the kitchen and enjoy one another’s company!

5. Play With Me

Play a game. Play outside. Build with Legos. Do whatever it is that your kiddo would most enjoy. Grab a snack to go with it.

6. Picnic With Me

Whether at the park or in your own backyard, pack a meal and enjoy it together.  Too cold to go outside? Not a problem. Throw a blanket on the floor.

7. Explore With Me

Go for a walk, follow a trail, walk around the pond, discover nature. Can’t get outside? Bring it indoors! When it’s too cold to play in the snow, we make an indoor snowbox from a plastic tub. Get creative!

8. Celebrate YOU with me!

And finally, one specifically for Valentine’s Day. Attach it to whatever you wish and celebrate your loved ones for exactly who they are.

If you’d like to download the labels, just click on the picture below. It includes both a page of boy labels as well as a page of girl labels. Be sure to come back and leave a comment! I’d love to hear the creative things you did with them!

  

Linked to: Show and Share Saturday, Made By You Monday, Just Something I Whipped Up, Get Your Craft On, Tip Me Tuesday, TOO Cute Tuesday, Wednesday’s Wowzers

Related posts:

1. Applesauce or Fruit Cup Valentines
2. A Gift for Kids To Make…For Kids!
3. Raisin-Box Valentines
4. Give-Save-Spend Wallet
5. Christmas in July – Kids Bags