Valentine`s Day doesn`t have
to be limited to romantic bouquets, decadent candies, and adorable crafts.
Instead, use vigorous games to get youngsters` hearts racing for a party or
family outing. Cut out paper hearts, and then personalize them with a sticker,
stamp, or unique drawing. Arrange them in a pile on a blanket or sheet. The
sheet is held in the air by players positioned around its edges. Demonstrate to
them how moving the sheet, if softly at first, also moves the hearts. After
that, instruct them to prepare for the Valentine`s shower. Everyone lifts the
sheet and pulls hard on the count of five, sending the hearts soaring high. Let
the hearts fall like rain when you drop the sheet. Gamers gather as many as
they are able. Give a gift to the player who gets the most hearts marked or to
everyone who earns at least one, if you`d like.
In this fast-paced game for
five to twelve players, the heart is represented by a red ball or beanbag. Kids should face each other while standing in a circle.
Give your heart to one player. They have to throw the heart to the player whose
name they shout out. After that, the player continues in the same manner. For
young youngsters, use only one "heart". Add more gradually to
challenge older children.
Take out Halloween`s
"Wrap the Mummy" game: All it takes to stay in character for
Valentine`s Day is to replace the toilet paper with pink or red crepe paper
streamers. Players must completely encircle a teammate without destroying the
crepe paper to win.
Any relay event can be given
a Valentine`s Day spin. Replace the egg in an egg-and-spoon recipe, for
instance, with a jiggly gelatin heart. Use conversation hearts instead of coins
for drop-the-penny. Use red or pink balloons or a heart-shaped cushion for a balloon relay.
Here`s another idea for a
relay race. Cut out some paper hearts, then write the following directions on
each one: You can also skip, crabwalk, link arms with a teammate, and so on.
Arrange these in a bucket or dish at one end of the space. Divide the players
into groups. A player from each squad runs to the bowl and selects a heart one
at a time. After that, they rejoin their team and adhere to the directives
written on the heart. Continue until all players have had a
chance to run or until every
member of one team has had a turn.
Children participate in a
skipping and hopping fundraiser in February to support the American Heart
Association. Joining a fundraising team is still possible even if your child`s
school doesn`t participate. After that, give the kids some old-fashioned jump rope rhymes
to learn.
This is a Simon Says game for
Valentine`s Day. A leader issues commands while facing the players.
"Hug" refers to forming a circle with your arms raised over your
head, resembling the "O" in "XOXO" for embraces and kisses.
"Kiss" refers to jumping jack style, where you spread your arms and
feet to make an X.
List kid-friendly fitness
exercises like arm circles, sidekicks, frog hops, and jumping jacks. Add any
available equipment, such as mini-trampolines, basketballs, and jump ropes.
Next, construct a poster
displaying your activities. They could be arranged like a target, in concentric
circles, or a list format similar to tic tac toe. Lay the poster down on the
ground. After that, have the kids match the pictures and toss a beanbag—you can
even make one in the shape of a heart—onto the poster. Each exercise can have a
maximum number of reps, either total or indicated by the motions on the poster.
Alternatively, you may assign participants a goal number of jumps, kicks, and
so forth by having them roll a die or select a playing card.
Draw a hopscotch course outside
using sidewalk chalk, substituting heart shapes for squares. The Painter`s tape
or strong foam cutouts can accomplish the same look inside.
Turn the game up by including
extra instructions like, "Blow three kisses" or "Pretend to
shoot an arrow like Cupid," in case your marker hits outside the course
boundaries or if you land on a specific spot.
Give children a task to
locate paper hearts or other Valentine-themed items, such as pencils or
erasers, by dispersing them in a certain area. This is a great game to play
outside as well. If so, create Valentine`s Day ice cubes slightly coloured with
food colouring and conceal them as the treasure.
Use larger paper hearts in
multiple colours, vintage Valentine`s Day cards, or images for an alternative look. Slice them into
fragments and conceal the pieces. The youngsters must cooperate to put them
back together after collecting them all.
