9 Valentine’s Day Classroom Activities That Go Beyond Candy & Cards

Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity to spread kindness, build connection, and create a classroom culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and loved, without the sugar rush or pressure of romantic vibes.

Real talk: For many girls (and students in general), Valentine’s Day can feel overwhelming, exclusive, or just plain awkward. But it doesn’t have to be. With the right activities, this day can become a celebration of friendship, gratitude, and self-love.

So whether you’re a teacher, school counselor, or girl empowerment coach, here are 9 creative, heart-centered Valentine’s Day activities that focus on what matters most—kindness, confidence, and community. ❤️

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Valentine’s Day can be inclusive, empowering, and fun without focusing on romantic love or candy.

• Use this time to build community, confidence, and compassion.

• Activities like kindness walls, gratitude circles, and self-love stations help students feel connected and celebrated.

• Don’t forget to model the messages you want to share—lead with kindness, courage, and heart. ❤️

1. Kindness Heart Wall

Give every student a few paper hearts and invite them to write kind, uplifting messages to their classmates. Then display them on a wall or door for a daily dose of positivity.

🩷 Bonus tip: Add a “Take What You Need” section with hearts that include affirmations like “You matter,” “You’re strong,” or “You’ve got this!”

2. Gratitude Circle

Create a safe space for students to sit in a circle and share one thing they appreciate about someone in the group. Keep it open-ended and optional—no pressure!

💬 Try this script:
"I’m grateful for [Name] because she always makes me laugh when I need it most."

3. Self-Love Station

Set up a table with heart-shaped sticky notes and markers. Encourage students to write things they love about themselves and stick them to a “Love Yourself” board.

✨ You can prompt with:

• “I’m proud of myself for…”

• “One thing I like about me is…”

4. Compliment Tag

Kick off a compliment “tag” game where students compliment each other throughout the day. Once someone gets a compliment, they pass it on to someone else.

💡 Encourage compliments that go beyond looks:

• “You’re a great listener.”

• “I admire how creative you are.”

5. Friendship Bracelets or Affirmation Bookmarks

Craft time, but with meaning! Have students make simple friendship bracelets or bookmarks with empowering words for classmates.

🧵 Supplies: yarn, beads, cardstock, markers
📚 Affirmation ideas: “Brave,” “Loved,” “Enough,” “Fearless”

6. Kindness Challenge Cards

Print a set of Kindness Challenge cards for the week of Valentine’s. Each day, students draw a new challenge from the jar.

Examples:

• “Invite someone new to play at recess.”

• “Write a thank-you note to a teacher.”

• “Say something kind to three people today.”

7. “Secret Sweetheart” (But Make It Friendship Edition)

Assign each student a secret classmate to do something kind for during the day—like drawing them a picture, writing a note, or helping with a task. Reveal at the end!

🫶 Emphasize friendship, not crushes.

8. Positive Postcard Swap

Have students design postcards with uplifting messages or quotes, then randomly distribute them to classmates.

💌 Suggested quotes:

• “You are enough just as you are.”

• “Be the reason someone smiles today.”

9. Create a “What Love Looks Like” Mural

On a large sheet of paper, students contribute drawings or words that represent love in all its forms—family, pets, nature, friendship, kindness, and self-love.

🖼 This is a great way to normalize and celebrate different expressions of love beyond romance.

🌸 NEW: Galentine’s Day Activity Kit

Create Strong Hearts and Strong Friendships with Confidence, Connection, and Heart using the Galentine’s Day Activity Kit!

Designed for educators, mentors, youth leaders, coaches, and parents, this all-in-one resource gives you everything you need to lead a powerful Galentine’s Day–themed workshop, girls group session, classroom experience, or community event focused on healthy friendships, confidence, and kindness.

Whether you’re planning a one-time Galentine’s Day workshop or weaving these activities into your ongoing programming, this kit makes your session meaningful, inclusive, and deeply impactful. With step-by-step guidance, interactive group activities, and thoughtful reflection tools, you’ll help girls:

• Build self-worth

• Strengthen friendships

• Develop the confidence to show up as their authentic selves

👉 Grab your Galentine’s Day Activity Kit now and lead with love, confidence, and connection!

You've got this 💗