Family Valentine's Tradition

This is the third year in a row that we've played our "For the Love" Valentine's game.

Making the Game:
1.  Simple Step: Take a cube-shaped box .  On each side of the cube, write one of the following instructions: 1. Give a hug, 2. Give a kiss, 3. Tickle, 4. Give a Valentine, 5. Say "I love you!", 6. Say "You're special because ______."  
     Get Creative: If you can find pictures or clip art to go with it, that would be good to help pre-readers.  

This year I used a kleenex box from the recycling bin that I stuffed with newspaper and covered in printouts with the 6 Instructions.  

 If you plan to use an oblong cube like a kleenex box, I recommend putting Instruction #5 and #6 on the top and bottom ends because they will get landed on less frequently than the regular sides (and the action-oriented instructions are more fun than the word-oriented ones).

2.  Simple Step: Make a stack of cards. Each card should say the name of a family member. 
     Get Creative: Or, better for pre-readers, each card can have a picture of a family member.

This year Abby helped me cut out the list of names I printed on cardstock for our cards.

I recommend putting double the number of the kids names as grown up names as the kids have more fun the more their names gets picked.

 3.  Simple Step: Get cookies, individually wrapped candies or conversation hearts.
     Get Creative:  Or have the kids help make a pile of Valentine hearts.

This year we pulled a bunch of treats out of the pantry.

Playing the Game:
Take turns rolling the dice and picking a card.  The dice will tell you what to do.  The card will tell you who to do it to.  (If you pick your own card, just pick again.)  For example, you may "Give a hug" to Daddy or "Tickle" little sister.  You may even have to "Give a Valentine" (the ones you made or the candies or cookies you bought) to Mommy.  Little kids will not think this is at all cheesy.  They will LOVE it.  Super simple family fun.  No one loses and even babies can play.  The game ends when the kids lose interest or you can't stand the love anymore.

Pictures from this year:

A hug from Daddy.

The chance to tickle big brother.

He waited a long time to get this "Valentine" from Mommy.

A silly hug from brother.

Enjoying her "Valentine" from Daddy.

(Before she got excited and sat on it!)

My favorite quotes from the game this year:

Isaac: "Daddy is special because he works really hard."

Abby (after tickling Mommy): "I always wanted to tickle a grownup!!!"

Abby: "Mommy is special because she cooks a lot."

This year, we added one new tradition to our Valentine's Day family fun.  We watched The Princess Bride for the first time together.  As you can see by the picture, they were scared at a few parts (I forwarded a few that were too scary), but it's a good action/adventure/love story...a perfect choice for a Valentine's story that both the boy and the girl will enjoy.

Viewing an R.O.U.S. (Rodent of Unusual Size) for the first time!

Isaac's favorite part: The sword fight between Wesley and Inigo.

Abby's favorite part: The happy ending.

I love making new family traditions.  And after the kids are in bed, the mommy and the daddy finally get to have a well-earned romantic dinner for two!