How to Plan the Perfect Valentine’s Day Party for Your Daycare

Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays to celebrate in daycare! It’s the perfect time to fill our classroom with love, laughter, and fun activities that help little ones express kindness and creativity. Every year, I plan a Valentine’s Day party that’s full of crafts, themed decorations, and sweet moments the kids absolutely adore. If you’re a daycare provider looking to plan your own Valentine’s Day celebration, here’s exactly how I do it—from setup to crafts to party-day fun!

Setting the Scene with Decorations

Before the party even begins, I make sure the classroom feels magical and full of love. Here you can see how I decorated the space with a Valentine’s Day backdrop that reads “XOXO” surrounded by big candy hearts that say “Sweet,” “Cute,” and “Kisses.” I added pink heart-shaped balloons to tie it all together and placed them behind our photo area so the kids had a special spot for pictures. One of my favorite tips is to designate a small “photo booth” corner. I keep it simple—a backdrop, some balloons, and themed props like heart-shaped glasses.

Pro Tip: When decorating, stick to a color theme—pink, red, and white are classic, but you can also include a little gold or pastel for a softer look. Use what you already have: tablecloths, construction paper hearts, and streamers go a long way without breaking the budget.

Craft Time: Creative Keepsakes

Crafts are always the heart of my Valentine’s Day celebrations. They give children a chance to express themselves while building fine motor skills and creating something they can proudly take home.

In the second image above, you’ll see one of our most loved crafts—footprint hearts. To make these, I used white cardstock and red washable paint. I painted the kids’ feet and pressed them carefully onto the paper in the shape of a heart. Around each set of footprints, I let the children use brushes or sponges to add a red border, creating a sweet framed effect. The result? Adorable keepsakes that parents cherish forever.

You can also set up a coloring station like the one shown in the first photo. We used a printable “Color the Candy” worksheet, where the kids practiced recognizing colors while coloring in candy hearts. It’s a simple but engaging activity that works well for younger children who might not be ready for more complex crafts.

A Sensory Bin is always a good idea. Fill a bin with red rice, pink pom-poms, and heart-shaped scoops for a fun, tactile experience.

Fun Valentine's Party Activities for Toddlers

Once crafts are done, it’s time for games and movement! Toddlers and preschoolers have tons of energy, so I always plan activities that get them moving but still tie into the theme.

Here are a few of our favorite Valentine’s Day games:

• Heart Hunt: Hide paper hearts around the room and have the children find them. You can write numbers, letters, or names on each heart to make it educational.

• Musical Hearts: Place large hearts on the floor like musical chairs. When the music stops, everyone finds a heart to stand on.

• Pass the Love: Sit in a circle and pass a small plush heart while music plays. When the music stops, the child holding it shares something they love.

The children loved putting on the silly glasses and posing with their friends! It’s a wonderful way to capture memories for parents and add an extra touch of fun to your party. These games are simple, inclusive, and guaranteed to bring smiles.

Sweet Treats & Snacks

No party is complete without snacks! For our Valentine’s party, I like to offer treats that are festive but still daycare-friendly. Heart-shaped fruit (like strawberries or watermelon), yogurt parfaits with pink sprinkles, and mini sandwiches cut into hearts are always a hit.

If you decide to have something sweet, consider sugar cookies that the kids can decorate with pink icing and sprinkles. Just be sure to check for any allergies beforehand.

Pro Tip: Keep it simple—toddlers are just as thrilled with fruit and crackers as they are with fancy desserts. The fun is in the presentation!

Parent Gifts or Take-Home Treats

I always love sending something home with the kids. The footprint heart art is a perfect keepsake, but you can also include a small goodie bag. I fill ours with stickers, bubbles, and maybe one small piece of candy. It’s a sweet way to wrap up the celebration.

Take-Home Gift Ideas:

• Mini Valentine’s bags with stickers or stamps

• A photo of the child from the Valentine’s photo booth

• “You Make My Heart Pop” tags attached to small bubbles

Things to Buy (Party Prep List)

Here’s a simple shopping checklist to help you get started:

Decorations:

• Valentine’s-themed backdrop or banner

• Pink and red balloons (heart-shaped if possible)

• Streamers or paper hearts for walls

• Heart-shaped sunglasses or props for photos

Craft Supplies:

• Washable red paint

• White cardstock or canvas boards

• Construction paper in red, pink, and white

• Crayons, glue sticks, safety scissors

• Stickers, foam hearts, and glitter glue

Party Supplies:

• Paper plates, napkins, and cups in Valentine’s colors

• Tablecloths or mats for craft tables

• Snacks and juice boxes

• Goodie bags and small non-candy favors

Optional:

• Printable coloring pages (like the candy hearts sheet)

• Music playlist with cheerful songs

• Small photo printer for instant parent keepsakes

Bonus Tips!

• Plan ahead: Prepare crafts and decorations a few days early so you can enjoy the party stress-free.

• Keep it short and sweet: For toddlers, an hour-long celebration is plenty.

• Capture memories: Take lots of photos—you’ll love looking back, and parents will too.

• Stay flexible: Toddlers can be unpredictable! Have extra coloring pages or storybooks ready for transitions.

Wrapping Up the Celebration

By the end of our Valentine’s Day party, the room is filled with happy chatter, red and pink glitter, and proud little smiles. The children go home with crafts they made, a few treats, and lots of stories to tell their parents. As a daycare provider, these are the moments that remind me why I love what I do—seeing kids learn, create, and celebrate together.

Hosting a Valentine’s Day party doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a little planning, a few creative touches, and a lot of heart, you can create a magical experience that your daycare kids will remember for years to come.