Valentine’s Day isn’t just about chocolate hearts and flowers, it’s also a great time for play!
Children’s games for Valentine’s Day can be a lot more fun when these games that bring smiles, laughter, and a bit of friendly competition. Instead of just handing out cards or candies, adding playful activities can help kids connect, stay active, and enjoy the holiday in a more meaningful way.
Valentine’s Day is a great time to encourage friendship, teamwork, and creativity, especially with easy games that don’t take much time to set up. It can include silly challenges and movement-based games, as well as thoughtful activities like crafts and scavenger hunts etc. These ideas are perfect for creating lasting memories.
Best Valentine’s Day Games for kids
The following list of Valentine’s Day games for kids is filled with fun, simple-to-follow options that work well in classrooms, living rooms, or backyards, anywhere kids are gathered to celebrate love and friendship.
Discover: ADHD Treatment For Kids: Finding The Right Medication
1. Valentine’s Day Bingo
Great for groups and classrooms.
Steps:
- Print bingo cards with Valentine’s pictures (hearts, roses, Cupid, etc.).
- Give each child a card and some candy or buttons to mark spaces.
- Call out items randomly.
- First to get five in a row wins!
Perfect for Valentine’s Day games for school or parties.
2. Cupid’s Arrow Toss
A silly throwing game.
Steps:
- Set up a box or basket with a heart on it.
- Give kids soft arrows or rolled-up socks.
- Stand behind a line and try to toss into the heart target.
- Score points for each hit!
Great for all ages, especially for children’s games for Valentine’s Day.
3. Heart Hunt
Just like an Easter egg hunt, but with hearts!
Steps:
- Hide paper hearts or heart-shaped candies around the room.
- Give each child a bag or bucket.
- Set a timer (2–3 minutes works well).
- Let them search and collect as many as they can.
One of the easiest Valentine’s Day games for kids!
4. Pin the Heart on Cupid
Just like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”
Steps:
- Hang a big picture of Cupid on the wall.
- Cut out paper hearts with tape on the back.
- Blindfold one child at a time.
- Spin them gently, then let them stick to the heart.
- Closest to Cupid’s chest wins!
5. Love Letter Relay
A race to build a message.
Steps:
- Divide the kids into two teams.
- Each team gets a blank card and a pen.
- The first person writes one word, then passes it on.
- Keep going until the message is done.
- Funniest or sweetest letter wins!
Explore: Molluscum Contagiosum Treatment for Children
6. Valentine’s Day Charades
Act it out, no words allowed!
Steps:
- Write Valentine-themed actions or words on slips (like “hug,” “kiss,” “flower”).
- One child draws a slip and acts it out.
- Others guess what it is!
- Set a timer for extra fun.
Great for a Valentine’s Day game for kids in a party setting.
7. Sweetheart Stack Challenge
How tall can you stack candy?
Steps:
- Give each child 10–15 candy hearts.
- Start a timer (30 seconds to 1 minute).
- Kids stack the candies one by one.
- The tallest standing tower wins!
8. Kiss the Frog (Blindfold Game)
Silly and sweet!
Steps:
- Place a stuffed frog on a chair.
- Blindfold the player.
- Spin them once or twice.
- They walk toward the frog and try to “kiss” (or gently touch) its face.
- Closest wins!
9. Crafting Relay Race
Art and fun together.
Steps:
- Set up different craft stations (like card making or decorating hearts).
- Divide the kids into teams.
- Each player must finish one craft and tag the next.
- The first team to finish wins.
Perfect for Valentine’s games for elementary school.
10. Valentine Tic-Tac-Toe
Classic game with a Valentine twist.
Steps:
- Make a board with tape or paper.
- Use red and pink candies or heart stickers as pieces.
- Take turns to make three in a row.
- The winner keeps the candies!
11. Cupid’s Balloon Pop
Pop to reveal a surprise!
Steps:
- Write funny dares or messages on paper slips.
- Put one inside each balloon, then blow them up.
- Kids take turns popping a balloon.
- They must complete the message inside.
A hit at Valentine’s Day games for parties!
12. Valentine’s Day Pictionary
Draw and guess!
Steps:
- Write Valentine words like “chocolate,” “rose,” “hug” on slips.
- One player picks a word and draws it.
- Team guesses before time runs out!
13. Heart Hopscotch
Jump into fun!
Steps:
- Cut out big paper hearts.
- Tape them on the floor in a line or pattern.
- Kids jump from one heart to another.
- Add actions like “clap” or “spin” on each heart.
Learn More: When Does an Infant Get Teeth? 7 Things Parents Should Know
14. Valentine’s Day Word Scramble
Learning while having fun!
Steps:
- Scramble words like “heart”, “friend”, and “Valentine.”
- Give kids a sheet with scrambled words.
- Set a timer.
- See who unscrambles the most!
One of the best Valentine’s Day games for school.
15. Cookie Decorating Challenge
Yummy and creative.
Steps:
- Give each child a plain cookie, frosting, and toppings.
- Let them decorate however they want.
- Optional: Vote for “most colorful,” “funniest,” or “most creative.”
16. Heart Stack Race
Fast hands win!
Steps:
- Give each player plastic hearts or heart cups.
- Start the timer.
- See who can stack the most before the timer runs out.
17. Valentine’s Day Would You Rather?
Get kids thinking!
Steps:
- Ask questions like:
- Would you rather get 100 hugs or 100 chocolates?
- Would you rather give flowers or teddy bears?
- Let them choose and explain why.
- Great icebreaker game!
18. Cupid’s Obstacle Course
Full of movement and giggles.
Steps:
- Use pillows, streamers, chairs, and balloons to create a course.
- Kids must crawl, jump, or carry a heart through the course.
- Time each player, fastest wins!
Perfect for high-energy Valentine’s Day games for kids.
19. Musical Hearts
Like musical chairs, but sweeter!
Steps:
- Place paper hearts in a circle on the floor.
- Play music as kids walk around the hearts.
- When music stops, they must find a heart to stand on.
- Remove one heart each round until one winner is left.
20. Guess the Flavor
Sweet and surprising.
Steps:
- Give kids candy (like jelly beans) with different flavors.
- Blindfold them and let them taste.
- They try to guess the flavor.
21. Valentine’s Day Trivia for Kids
Quick quiz fun!
Steps:
- Prepare questions like:
- What color is linked to Valentine’s Day?
- Who shoots arrows of love?
- Ask the group and see who answers fastest!
22. Color Your Heart Out
Calm and relaxing.
Steps:
- Give kids heart-shaped coloring pages.
- Let them color quietly with crayons or markers.
- Great for winding down after energetic games.
23. Love Note Surprise
Teach kindness.
Steps:
- Give each child blank cards.
- They write kind messages to friends or family.
- Drop cards into a decorated Valentine box.
- Hand out the cards at the end of the day.
Why Children’s Games for Valentine’s Day Matter?
Games aren’t just for fun. They teach important life skills, especially in younger children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play helps improve communication, empathy, and even academic performance in children (Ginsburg, 2007).
By planning children’s games for Valentine’s Day, you’re creating more than entertainment. You’re helping kids connect, share, and celebrate love in all its forms, friendship, kindness, and joy.
Tips for Hosting a Children’s Valentine’s Day Party
- Keep it short and sweet (1–2 hours is plenty).
- Plan games that suit the age group.
- Include downtime like coloring or storytelling.
- Offer small prizes or treats, i.e, stickers, pencils, or tiny toys.
- Don’t forget the music and decorations!
Adding games makes your day more memorable, no matter if it’s Valentine’s Day games for school, a neighborhood get-together, or just a cozy afternoon with your kids.
Ultimately…
This Valentine’s Day, skip the usual routine and create lasting memories with fun-filled games. Children’s games for Valentine’s Day are simple, engaging, and perfect for spreading joy.
From high-energy relays to thoughtful crafts, there’s something on this list for every child and every setting, from classrooms, living rooms, and beyond.
So bring out the hearts, gather the kids, and let the love and the laughter begin. Because nothing says “I care” like a game shared with someone special.