These 25 Valentine's Day Games For Kids Will Entertain The Whole Family

Valentine’s Day is one of the few holidays that doesn’t have one specific tradition associated with it. But precisely because there’s no Feb. 14 equivalent of trick-or-treating or fireworks, you get to decide how to celebrate, and these Valentine’s Day games for kids and families are a great way to make memories.

This year, Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday which is a little bit of a bummer. Some restaurants are more likely to be closed, and that early week energy isn’t necessarily conducive to celebrating. But you don’t need a fancy dinner to show your loved ones that you care; it can be easy as ordering pizza and planning a fun activity followed by a special movie. Whether you’re planning a Valentine’s Day party for your kid and looking for fun games to keep the kids occupied or you just want something fun for them to do at home that isn’t gorging on candy hearts, these Valentine’s Day games for kids will be a hit (they’re also a savior if you’re a teacher looking for special Cupid-approved activities).

From a fun Disney spin on “Name That Tune” to a treasure hunt or a ring toss game you’ll have fun making, these games are easy to play and fun for all ages (because you’re never too old to pin the tail on donkey, or the arrow on Cupid).

1. Spot the heart game

For whatever reason, kids love finding things (unless it’s something actually useful like their missing shoe or backpack). This sweet Valentine’s Day game from Studio DIY doesn’t require anything more than a bunch of heart-shaped stickers and it’s easy to pull together at the very last minute. Stick them around the house in unsuspecting places like door knobs, shoes, and yes, toothbrush holders, and watch your kids run around the house counting hearts, and maybe winning a prize once they find a certain amount.

2. Connect the broken hearts

If you have red and pink construction paper, you can make this DIY Valentine’s Day game for kids. Cut heart shapes out of paper; for a perfectly symmetrical heart fold a piece of paper in half, draw half a heart on the seam, then cut out, being mindful that you’re not cutting too deep in the center. You or your kids can make jagged cuts through the center of the hearts, and it’ll be their job to each sides of the broken heart to make it whole again.

3. A DIY Valentine’s Day piñata

The only thing more rewarding that candy cascading out of a piñata? Candy falling out of a piñata you made yourself. The DIY Valentine’s Day piñata from The House That Lars Built is so cute, and the bottom of the hot air balloon is where the candy goes. There’s also a tutorial for how to make a Volkswagen “love bug” or a red lips piñata, and while the making is fun for kids and adults, the whacking with a stick is when the real fiesta starts.

4. A printable Valentine’s Day bingo

The beauty of this printable Valentine’s Day bingo game from My Beautiful Mess is that it’s free, yes, but also you can print as many copies as you need. Need an activity for a party full of rowdy kids? Yep, or you can also just play a one-on-one with your child. Bingo is fun for kids of all ages, and it shouldn’t be super hard for anyone to grasp the rules.

5. A celebrity couple matching game

Memory games aren’t just for kids (and let’s face it your kid has a better memory than you do especially when it comes to small injustices that happened over a month ago). This celebrity matching game from Studio DIY is a fun idea for people of all ages. You can print out faces of your child’s favorite characters, from Bluey and Bingo to Disney heroines.

6. A Valentine’s Day science lab

This clever Valentine’s Day science party idea comes courtesy of Fern & Maple. She set up with party with 12 different experiments including this vinegar and baking soda heart experiment that creates a bubbly explosion of pink. Everything at this party from the backdrop to the food is science-themed with a cute Valentine’s Day twist your little scientist/ love bug will enjoy.

7. Valentine’s Day Paddle Balls

A classic party game for a reason, this set of 12 Valentine’s Day paddle games is a fun party favor that can be played while the party’s still going. Each paddle is plastic with an elastic string attaching the ball, plus a cute saying like “Be Mine” written on the top. It’s hard to top a game that reliably keeps kids entertained solo.

8. A candy matching game

A memory game has a lot more incentive when you get to eat your matches. Use the free printable on Creations By Kara to get the cute Valentine’s Day-themed shapes you’ll stick to the bottom of the kisses. The game is best with several players, unless you want your little one downing a bunch of chocolate, but if it’s just you and your child, play with fewer pairs to keep the sweets at a minimum.

9. Box of chocolates challenge

Yes this game may be called “Box of Chocolate Challenge” but it’s actually played with Skittles. There’s enough math involved to call this educational, but kids won’t even realize they’re practicing adding.Players roll the two dice then add the numbers on each together to determine what color Skittle they can add to their candy box board. First to fill the chocolate box wins (so there’s some incentive not to eat those tasty candies). The playing boards are a digital download that will be delivered to your inbox after your purchase, and the download has versions that can be played with just one die which is great for younger kids.

10. Mod Podge slime

Slime may not be a game, per se, but it is a fun activity that will keep kids occupied for awhile. Making the chocolate-inspired slime from Handmade Charlotte is the first part of the fun, and it’s pretty easy to do with parental supervision. Kids will enjoy sticking beads, sequins, or anything else into their slime, they sticking it into an empty chocolate box. Plus that box isn’t going to empty itself, so they’ll get to eat some real chocolate too (please don’t eat the slime though).

11. Valentine’s Day bean bag toss

Like corn hole for kids, this Valentine’s Day bean bag toss game is great for all ages. A fun way to channel that candy heart energy, the premise of this Valentine’s Day game is simple: toss the arrow-shaped bean bag into the net and win the corresponding amount of points. It’s made of a sturdy wood so it’ll last year for many Valentine’s Day celebrations to come.

12. Alphabet bingo

The beauty of this alphabet Bingo game from Burlap + Blue is that it’s Valentine’s-themed because of the colors and the logo, but the bingo board itself only features letters, so it’s perfect even for those little ones who can’t yet read. You could get really festive by blocking off the spaces with punched out paper hearts.

13. Peanuts game

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all lovey, it can be super cool instead. This twist on pin the tail on the donkey has you pinning the sunglasses on Joe Cool instead. Somehow Peanuts is a hit regardless of the generation, and you can use this game as an excuse to teach your kids about the love-hate relationship between Lucy and Charlie Brown.

14. A Valentine’s Day murder mystery game

Sure murder mystery and Valentine’s Day may not sound like they go together, but this fun and not-too-scary game brings the whole family together to solve a mystery. Included with the digital download is 18 clues, a “dossier” for recording information, instructions, and props for making the game even more realistic. Kids will use problem solving and reasoning skills to crack each puzzle, which are recommended for kids 8 and up.

15. A Valentine’s Day fortune teller

Whether you know it as a fortune teller or a cootie catcher, this paper game is sure to be a fun time on Feb. 14 (and also makes a fun valentine to give out to friends). There are two printable fortune tellers available on the printable tutorial from This Grandma Is Fun; one has more classic Valentine’s Day pictures and sayings while the other is for the kid who isn’t into the lovey dovey aspects of the day.

16. Valentine’s Day treasure hunt

Kids love treasure hunts (honestly adults do too), plus it’ll keep them moving but occupied for a chunk of time. The idea is that you hide a prize at the end like candy or a Valentine’s Day gift, and each clue takes you to a new locations where another clue awaits until you find the prize. You could make your own, but it’s even easier to print out these clues from Etsy which are generic enough to work for any household.

17. Pin the arrow on cupid

Give this classic party game a fun Valentine’s Day twist by swapping out the donkey for Cupid. You may need a bit of artistic ability to draw the little cherub, or you can also print a picture check out one of the tutorials on how to draw Cupid on YouTube. Then make some arrows or hearts, cover the kids’ eyes and give them a spin (even better if the blindfold has hearts on it) and let the fun begin.

18. Build a conversation heart tower

Sure pastel conversation hearts are cute, but I’m firmly in the “they taste like chalk” camp. Instead of eating those little hearts, have a competition to see who can stack them the highest without the tower toppling. Winner gets a Valentine’s Day treat.

19. Valentine’s Day ring toss

This Valentine’s Day ring toss game from Handmade Charlotte is the cutest way to reuse old bottles while having a blast. Paint the bottles in pretty hues of pinks and red (chalk paint works well for this) and the heart-shaped ring can be made from bent pipe cleaners. If you’re using cans or plastic bottles this could also double as Valentine’s Day bowling.

20. Heart hunt

Finding something hidden is so satisfying which is exactly why Easter egg hunts are such a hit. Turn the classic egg hunt into a Valentine’s Day game for kids by hiding heart shapes (or even red eggs) with little treats inside.

21. Valentine’s Day bingo

Who can resist a smiling taco and a strawberry with heart-shaped sunglasses? This bingo game can be played with up to 16 players (so it’s good for a classroom) and it comes with heart-shaped markers to cross off the spaces as they’re called. Plus, because the card is just a 4 x 4 square, the game goes pretty fast.

22. Disney name that tune

This one is simple but fun (and if you have an adult passenger who can work this music you could even play it in the car). Put together a playlist of Disney love songs — there are a ton but “Into the Unknown” from Frozen 2 or “You’ll Be In My Heart” from Tarzan come to mind. Then play just the first few bars and see if your kids can identify the song and what movie it comes from.

23. Valentine’s Day skeeball

If you’re crafty, take a cue from Handmade Charlotte and make this fun skeeball Valentine’s Day game for kids. Ping pong balls will save your floors, and this can be created almost entirely from paper and paper towel rolls.

24. Cupid Says

Yep, this game functions exactly the same as Simon Says, it just gets a festive name. Bonus point if you bring a pretend bow and arrow for whoever is playing Cupid to hold as they call out instructions.

25. Valentine’s Day Mad Libs

Mad Libs always get the giggles going and this Valentine’s Day free printable is worth the ink. They’re fun for a classroom of kids or just for you and your kid to do together.

These Valentine’s Day games for kids and families will turn a Monday holiday into a full-blown celebration; plus they’re all screen-free activities the whole family will actually enjoy.