Valentine’s Day Activities for Your Elementary Classroom

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. It’s a fun day to celebrate in the classroom. Whether you have to plan a Valentine’s Day party or you just need something fun for the day, these Valentine’s Day activities are perfect for the elementary classroom.

Valentine’s Day Activities

At my school, we have a dance on Valentine’s Day instead of a party. At the end of the day, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders go to the gym, and there is a DJ playing music. Before we head downstairs, I like to hand out valentines and do some fun Valentine’s Day activities. Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate.

#1 – Valentine’s Day Unlock the Box Mystery

My students loved doing the Division Unlock the Box Mystery so much that I decided to do another one for Valentine’s Day. This time, I am going to put their valentines from me inside the boxes. They will have to solve four clues to unlock the boxes. The Unlock the Box Mysteries keep my students engaged, and they work together to figure out the puzzles. 

One of the biggest problems I run into on Valentine’s Day is handing out valentines. It turns into complete chaos when all of my students are trying to do it at the same time. That’s why my students will give out their valentines when they get to clue #3. Each group will get to that clue at a different time, so handing out valentines will be more spread out.

Check out the Valentine’s Day Unlock the Box Mystery in the Teach Without Tears TPT store.

#2 – Guess Who Loves You Writing and Craft

Every Valentine’s Day, my students write a “Guess Who Loves You. . .” poem for their parents. They tell about themselves in their poems. After they write the poem, they cut out a heart and glue the poem to it. Then, we put the student’s picture at the bottom. These always turn out really cute, and the parents love them! 

#3 – Candy Hearts Stacking Challenge

All you need for this activity is a box of candy hearts for each student in your class. Choose how long you want the challenge to last, and set a timer. I love the one on Class Dojo! Your students will stack the candy hearts as high as they can. When the timer goes off, count the stacked hearts, and see who has the most. You can give that student a small prize.

#4 – Valentine’s Day Research on Epic!

My students beg to read on Epic! Books, so why not use it to learn about Valentine’s Day? You can put together a collection of books about Valentine’s Day and have your students read all about why we celebrate this holiday. There are also fiction books about Valentine’s Day. Many of the books have quizzes with them to check for comprehension. 

#5 – Valentine’s Day Math

 In my classroom, I use guided math. On Valentine’s Day, I still have to do my regular enVision Math lesson. However, I always give my problem solving group a special holiday activity. This is one of their favorites, and it’s really easy to set up.

4 Operations

1. Write the numbers from 1-10 on red hearts. I make 3 of each number.
2. Write higher numbers on pink hearts. I go up to 100.
3. When the students are ready to play the game, they give each person 3 red hearts and turn the pink hearts upside down.
4. Flip over one pink heart and try to make that number using their red hearts. The students can use 2 or 3 hearts, and they can add, subtract, multiply, or divide.
5. The first student to make the number and correctly explain the operations used gets the pink heart and new cards. The students keep playing for the whole center.
6. When time is up, the students count their pink hearts. The person with the most pink hearts wins.

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Are you looking for more Valentine’s Day activities for your classroom? Check out all the amazing resources in this Winter Bundle for Valentine’s Day and the rest of winter. 

What Do You Think?

What are your favorite Valentine’s Day activities?

Let me know in the comments below.

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