Spread the Love!

You don’t have to break the bank to express your love this Valentine’s Day. We’ve come up with some easy and creative ways you and the kids can spread the love:

1. Make an entirely heart-shaped dinner. Bake pizza from scratch, forming the dough into a heart-shape. Place toppings in a heart-shaped design, too. Serve something red to drink like pomegranate juice. Bake brownies or a cake using heart-shaped baking pans available in the grocery store, or use a heart-shaped cookie-cutter to cut brownies or cookies. Serve the meal on decorated, heart-shaped placemats the kids can make from construction paper or paper doilies.

2. Write love notes. Tuck a love note in your child’s lunch everyday in February for a whole month of love. If that would embarrass them too much, slip a note under their pillow every night.

3. Post your love. Post a big paper heart on the wall with sticky notes and a pen nearby. Encourage everyone to write something they love about their family every day and post it on the heart. Keep it up all month long to remind everyone what is special about their family.

4. Play Cupid. Play at the Cupid Carnival making valentines and participating in other Valentine’s Day games and activities at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center, 4005 Kipling Street. The carnival is for ages 3-6 and reservations are required by February 10. The cost is $8. Contact 303-231-1300 or http://www.ci.wheatridge.co.us.

5. Learn about Valentines. Learn the history of Valentines and make old-fashioned Victorian cards (ages 6 and older) on February 14, 2pm-3:30pm at the Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway. The cost is $5 ($4 for Aurora residents). Contact 303-739-6666 for more information.

6. Play at the library. Check out the love at various Arapahoe County Libraries throughout February. Kids ages 5 - 11 can get in the mood for Valentine fun with a story, craft and treat, for free, but reservations are required at 303-542-7279. www.arapahoelibraries.org.

7. Make Valentine crafts. Wow, that’s a lot of love happening at the WOW! Children’s Museum. From February 12 – 14, kids can make a special card or craft in the art room, while supplies last. It’s included with regular admission at 110 N. Harrison Avenue in Lafayette. 303-604-2424. www.wowmuseum.com.

8. Countdown to Valentine’s Day. Create an advent calendar for your child. Write a little message on a folded sticky note and attach it to a calendar from February 1 – 14. Each day, your child can open the note to reveal something you love about them like, “I love your laugh,” “I love your freckles,” “I love how you take care of the cat,” etc. February 14th’s note? “Happy Valentine’s Day” of course.

9. Take in a Valentine show. Love the art of dance with Ballet Nouveau Colorado’s Valentine show, February 12 - 14, featuring new works created by BNC’s own company members and artistic staff. Held at the Performing Arts Complex at PCS, 1001 W. 84th Ave., Federal Heights, tickets are $16-42 through 303-466-5685 and www.bncdance.com.

10. Read a good Valentine book. Nourish a love of reading with a trip to your local library or bookstore. There are many, charming books for kids about Valentine’s Day to help you keep the love in your heart year-round.