4 Valentine’s Day Activities That Help Children Build Social Skills

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to encourage young children to practice kindness, cooperation, and communication—all essential social skills that help them thrive in a preschool environment. Engaging in meaningful activities at home can reinforce the lessons children learn in the classroom, helping them become more confident and considerate in their daily interactions.

Four Valentine’s Day activities that encourage social development in preschoolers

1. Handmade Valentine’s Cards for Friends and Teachers

Creating handmade Valentine’s cards helps preschoolers practice both creativity and social connection. By making cards for classmates, teachers, and family members, children learn the importance of expressing appreciation for others. Encourage your child to decorate their cards with drawings, stickers, or a simple “thank you” note.

This activity also helps children develop fine motor skills as they cut, glue, and write. More importantly, it teaches them that showing gratitude and recognizing others' efforts is an essential part of building strong friendships—something they experience daily in a preschool setting.

2. Acts of Kindness Challenge

In preschool, children are encouraged to help their classmates, share, and work together. Parents can reinforce these values at home by introducing a simple Acts of Kindness Challenge leading up to Valentine’s Day. Each day, children can complete a small but meaningful act of kindness, such as:

Helping a teacher or friend clean up after playtime

These small actions help preschoolers develop empathy, responsibility, and teamwork—key social skills that will serve them well in the classroom and beyond.

3. Valentine’s Day Storytelling and Role-Playing

Reading books about kindness and friendship is a great way to introduce preschoolers to positive social behaviors. Choose a Valentine’s Day-themed book that highlights sharing, teamwork, or appreciation, and discuss the story with your child. Ask questions like, “How do you think the characters felt?” or “What would you do to make a friend feel special?”

You can also try role-playing common preschool scenarios, such as how to ask a friend to play or how to handle a disagreement. Practicing these interactions at home helps children feel more confident in their social skills when they return to the classroom.

4. Sharing and Giving Activity

Preschoolers are still learning how to share, and Valentine’s Day provides the perfect opportunity to reinforce this skill. Encourage your child to pick out a small toy, book, or treat to give to a friend. Explain how sharing something special can make others feel happy and included.

You can also involve your child in a simple baking activity where they help make cookies or treats to share with family members. This hands-on experience teaches them that generosity is about more than just gifts—it’s about thoughtfulness and connection.

How These Activities Support Preschool Learning

The social skills children develop through these Valentine’s Day activities help them build confidence in their everyday interactions at school. Expressing gratitude, practicing kindness, and learning to share are all important for success in a preschool environment, where teamwork and communication are key. By making Valentine’s Day about more than just treats and decorations, families can support their preschooler’s growth in a meaningful and lasting way.

At Kids & Company, we emphasize the importance of social development alongside academic learning for infants and children in VPK through preschool. Encouraging these values at home reinforces the skills your child uses in the classroom, helping them build strong friendships and positive relationships with teachers and classmates. For more information about our facility or programs, contact us online or give us a call at (407) 277-1015.