Door Hearts For Valentine's Day: A Fun Tradition For Kids!

My absolute favorite tradition to do with my kids is door hearts for Valentine’s Day! This is the perfect way to shower your kids with love and encouragement, and it’s super easy too. Who doesn’t like a simple and inexpensive idea to do with your kids?

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Door Hearts For Valentine’s Day

All you need for this fun and easy activity is some paper hearts. If you have colored construction paper or cardstock at home, simply cut out heart shapes to your desired size. I like my hearts to be around 6 inches and different colors.

If cutting out hearts seems like a daunting task, make it even easier by buying a pack of paper hearts. In past years, I was able to find quality hearts at Target dollar spot. This year I found a giant pack of hearts to last me the next few years!

Give Your Kids A Heart Attack On Their Door!

Once you have your hearts cut out, begin writing words of affirmation on each heart for your kids. If you are forgetful and like to get things done all at one time, I would just go ahead and write all your messages before you plan to begin. Otherwise, you can keep the hearts in a visible place and write one each day.

I like to start this tradition on February 1st. It’s the first day of the month and easy to remember. I place a new heart on each of my kid’s bedroom door after they go to bed or right before they wake up in the morning. We read the new message each morning and it’s such a great way to start the day!

I put up the door heart messages for 14 days, until Valentine’s Day, and then surprise them with a bigger gift. The hearts remain on the door all month long (sometimes longer) and serve as a great reminder for how much they are loved.

You can come up with your own plan as to how many days you are going to write messages, and what time of day you are going to put them on the door. It’s really up to you and what works best for your family. Either way, the kids will be excited! It’s a great way to encourage them and celebrate the season of love.

door hearts for valentine's day messages to write

What Should I Write On The Hearts?

There are so many things we love about our kids, but sometimes it can be hard to think of exactly what to write on the door hearts for Valentine’s Day. I try to think of a good variety of messages, some very general, and some more specific.

Here are some of the more general things I write: “You’re so kind!” “I love how helpful you are!” “You are such a sweet girl.”

If I want to be more specific I might put something like: “Thank you for being so good at sharing your toys.” or “You are a really good dancer.”

I try to stick with messages that inspire and encourage my kids. I want to point out good character traits that I’m proud of, instead of a lot of appearance-related comments, such as “You’re so pretty.” If you want to throw in a couple messages like these, I think that’s totally fine, I just strive to keep the majority of them related to building their character.

Try not to overthink it when you are writing your door hearts. Your kids will be so excited that you are just thinking of them and encouraging them.

A Meaningful Family Tradition

If your kids are younger, they will need help from you to read the messages. But if they are a little older, this is a great way for them to practice reading, or even write messages of their own to other family members.

If your kids are interested in saving the hearts, they could keep them in a special keepsake box year after year. It would be fun to look back at the messages you wrote throughout the years. Your kids could look through the door hearts whenever they wanted and feel loved and encouraged.

cute picture of kids who are getting door hearts for Valentine's Day

Decorate With Door Hearts

We don’t put up a lot of decorations for Valentine’s Day. The house is usually filled with random crafts we’ve made with the kids. These door hearts are a perfect touch and a meaningful way to decorate. We are constantly looking at the bedroom doors, so it’s a perfect spot for them.

If this sounds like a tradition you want to start with your own kids, you won’t regret it. It’s a simple and inexpensive way to show others you love them. If you have paper at home you can cut out your own hearts, or use this free printable, to get started.

Feeling the love and want to do something more? There are several fun ideas you can do with your kids to celebrate Valentine’s Day. You could set up a cute photo booth with props. Or invite your friends to a fun Valentine’s Day party. You can also surprise them with fun little gifts.

If you have older kids, make sure to include them too! Kids of all ages like hearing what their parents love about them. And I’m pretty sure all kids like gifts, so grab them some Valentine’s Day Goodies too.