How to Throw a Classroom Valentine Party

It’s that time!  Nothing makes me giddier than when stores start pulling out boxes of chocolate and packages of conversation hearts.  February 14th definitely takes rank as one of my favorite holidays.

Valentines Day is the perfect excuse to throw a themed soiree, whether you have little kids, school age or even want to put something special together for co-workers or friends.

The first step in planning a party is coming up with your theme/concept.  I usually start with the color palate.  This year I chose bright pink, pale orange and pale pink.  I found darling signage at Minted along with a table runner and napkins that coordinated.

Next on the agenda is snacks!  No need for a huge dessert table for a classroom or office gathering.  One or two small treats are just the right amount, since it’s likely Valentine cards will be accompanied by chocolates and other sweets.  To compliment my party stationery I baked pink velvet mini cupcakes and topped them with an orange conversation heart.

Drinks for classroom parties are typically juice boxes but this year I thought New York Seltzer would be fun.  The orange and raspberry flavors are the perfect shades of pink and orange!  To give them an extra little detail, add a flag to striped straws and attach with washi tape.  Even adults will be thrilled to sip the seltzer and reminisce the 80’s.

The classroom valentine exchange was always my favorite growing up and still just as much fun with my kids.  Minted offers SO many adorable classroom valentine options, we had a hard time deciding.  We ended up choosing a variety!

Ally and Hudson both loved the ice cream and popsicle themed cards.  To accompany their cards we made coordinating sugar cookies to hand out.

Minted offers tic-tac-toe game backers on most of their classroom valentines.   These are fun to pair with candy that coordinate the front of the card.  I found Blow Pop Bubble Gum hearts at Target!

You can’t go wrong with cinnamon heart or macaron filled boxes! Use a hole punch to turn your cards into tags, or personalize a tag shaped card.

Pictures from a recent family session made adorable photo valentine cards.   Gifted with a packaged rice krispy treat heart or perhaps a mug and small Starbucks card for teachers is extra special.

One of Hudson’s favorite summer activities is roasting s’mores in the backyard.  He was thrilled to choose this s’more themed valentine.  We packed a mini s’mores kit inside small linen bags to pair with each valentine.

Paper boxes filled with conversation hearts (or candy of your choice) tied with twine are very sweet.

My 6th grade niece chose this adorable doodle flower valentine that fit perfectly atop a mini flower pot rose kit (found in the dollar section at Target).  We secured the card with a pink twine bow.

Everyone loves a game of tic-tac-toe, especially when your game pieces are edible!  How fun are these X’s and O’s gummy candies?  Simple to package a handful up in a cello bag with a game board Valentine.

I love to offer a photo op at parties for guests to pose in front of.  This is fun for parties of all ages!

We found a backdrop that coordinated our party stationery and linens, pulling everything together.

It’s special to have a classroom parent capture the classroom party excitement with a digital camera to share the fun with parents who couldn’t make it.  My favorite is to use an instant camera that pops the photos out in seconds.  These can be turned into a homemade valentine card for parents or a keepsake from the party. This can double as the party “craft”. Set a table with markers, glue and construction paper for kids to get creative.

After all the excitement of treats, card exchanges, photos and crafts, there may be time left for a quick game. I like to find an active game since it’s likely kids are headed towards a sugar high. A fun Valentine’s game is the Heart Hop.

What you will need:

*Heart for each child with instruction written on one side.
*Instructions might include: Hop like a bunny, walk like a crab, zombie walk, skip, walk backwards, twirl etc.

Directions: Children divide into two teams. Put the hearts at the end of the room in two piles. On your mark the first child on each team runs to the pile, takes a heart and does what the heart says, while returning to their team, then sits down. The next team member then runs to the pile. The first team to be sitting down wins.

What are your favorite ways to celebrate Valentines Day?

Photos by Kelly Clare Photography

 

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