Celebrate Valentine's Day in the Classroom
Party Ideas that Include Healthy Treats and Creative Cards
Feb 1, 2009
With the introduction of healthy eating initiatives, holiday parties at school now include more nutritious options. Though some children and parents may balk at the exclusion of chocolate cupcakes and heart shaped cookies, there are some options for keeping the treats healthy and fun. While making these changes to the classroom party, why not introduce another change and replace store bought Valentine's Day cards with ones the children make themselves.
Making Cards in the Classroom
Many students purchase Valentine's Day cards in class sets. These sets are combined as a theme that frequently involves popular characters or include candy to be given with the card. Though most parents do not mind the variety of characters, some prefer that their children are not exposed to certain ones. In the case of candy, whereas once this was a rare surprise from a peer or two, many students giving cards with candy equates to large amounts of sugar. Many parents will moderate their child similar to if this were Halloween candy, but it makes for avoidable difficulties for parents of children with a sugar allergy, hyperactivity, orthodontics or even diabetes.
Instead of students bring in pre-purchased cards to give to classmates, have them create their own. This can be done with simple supplies such as colored paper, scraps of ribbon, glitter and crayons. More elaborate versions could involve small paper doilies, stencils and stickers. For younger children or large classes students could draw several names so that all children receive the same number of cards without trying to create one for everyone on their own.
Healthy Class Party Treats
Providing healthy choices at the class Valentine's Day party does not have to mean all whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Cupcakes can be replaced with muffins; if made from scratch, put a marble between the paper and the tin to create heart shapes. Soda can be substituted with juice; add a bottle of seltzer water to create a special fizzy fruit-juice drink or have a few students bring in cans of different frozen juices to mix for a “surprise punch.”
Other options include not only small pieces of fruit or vegetables such as celery and carrots but also nuts (check for allergies first!), cheese sticks and crackers. Not all sugar must be eliminated, so having some conversation hearts, a bit of chocolate, or even mixing marshmallows with the fruit pieces is usually acceptable. Always check the school wellness policy and determine if there are any students with food allergies before deciding what to ask parents and students to provide.
A Valentine's Day class party should be an enjoyable time for all. Providing nutritious choices for party food and drink keeps it healthy. When students make imaginative hand-made cards it is likely to be a memorable day.
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