6 minute read
FAMILY FUN
Sharing Love
All Month Long
By Jennifer Halter
February is the month that we start the countdown to spring and warmer temperatures. But it’s also the month that we use to celebrate LOVE! There are lots of ways to show your family how much you care other than the traditional gifts of chocolate and flowers. Here are five unique ways that you can share the love all month long!
Lunchbox Love Notes Brighten your child’s day with a sweet note in their lunchbox or backpack to let them know you are thinking of them, even when you are apart. You can write a note on paper or even on their napkin. You can also write notes on their snacks, such as “You are awesomesauce.” on their applesauce cups or “I’m bananas for you!” on the peel of this favorite yellow fruit!
Go on a Heart Hunt There’s nothing better than giving the gift of time to show others how much you enjoy being with them. Plan to head out on a nature hike or, if the weather doesn’t allow for that, head to an indoor space such as the mall
or library. Search for as many heart-shaped items as you can find! To add to the fun, you can turn your hunt into a game of I-Spy, or you can see how many different colors of hearts you find.
Make Homemade Cards No need to spend a lot of money on cards at the store! Grab paper, markers, glitter and other craft supplies and let the creativity flow. You can do a card exchange between members of the family or even mail to loved ones who live far away. You may also want to consider making cards and dropping them off at your local fire or police station, or mail to members of the military to share a little love with them, too!
(continues on page 26) Host a Valentine’s Dance Party Put on your fancy dresses and suits and have a dance party at home! Dim the lights, put on your favorite tunes and make it a night the family won’t soon forget. You can even add to the fun by inviting friends over, too! Set up a photo backdrop to capture your sweetest or silliest memories.
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Valentine’s Play Dough and Slime There are a lot of parents who avoid having play dough and slime like the plague due to the mess and mishaps that can happen. But there are wonderful benefits to letting your children make and play with these items, such as strengthening little hands to prepare them for writing and teaching older children how to follow instructions and be creative when making them. Here are easy recipes for each:
Valentine’s Day Play Dough 2 cups of all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar 1 cup of salt 3 tablespoons of oil 2 tablespoons of red glitter (or any color you prefer) 1½ cups of water Red food coloring (10-15 drops) Mix flour, cream of tartar, salt, oil and glitter together in a bowl. Boil water and once boiling, add red food coloring. Mix water and dry ingredients together and let sit for up to 30 minutes while it becomes a doughlike consistency. Add more flour if mixture is too sticky. Once ready to mold, let children create “treats” such as cakes, cookies and candies to share (pretending to eat, of course!). You can also provide heart-shaped cookie cutters or other heart-shaped items for the children to press into the dough. Store dough in an airtight container.
Valentine’s Day Glitter Slime 1 - 6-ounce bottle of glitter glue (your choice of color, but pink would work well for Valentine’s Day) 1½ tablespoons of saline solution ½ tablespoon of baking soda Combine glue and baking soda until well mixed. Add saline solution and stir until slime is no longer sticky. You can add in heart-shaped beads or confetti to make the slime even more festive. Store in sealed plastic bag or another airtight container.
Please note that neither of these recipes are edible.
No matter if you go all out to celebrate this month or if you keep your gestures small, remember that three simple words can make a huge impact on your loved one’s day. And, saying, “I love you” doesn’t cost a thing!
Jennifer Halter is publisher of Macaroni Kid Woodbridge and Macaroni Kid Gainesville/Manassas.
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