• Have a heart healthy dinner at home
  Eating has become a huge focus of celebrations and Valentine’s Day is no exception.  But instead of eating out at a restaurant, make a heart healthy meal at home.  Come up with a theme for dinner and plan from there…maybe plan for a a red food dinner in honor of Valentine’s Day.  Here is a yummy heart healthy recipe that would be a perfect choice for the whole family to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

• Give fruit flowers
  Roses are nice but yummy flowers made of fruit is even better.  You can order a fruit bouquet but making them at home is easier than you think.  I love these strawberry roses!

• Plan a family day outside
  Taking time for the whole family can be a challenge but planning an outside family activity for Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to make plans.  Go on a hike or go ice skating.  Get creative and think outside the box.  The key is to get the whole family moving.  Why not take the whole family out for laser tag!  It’s fun, it’s exercise and the kids will have a blast!

• Have a Valentine’s Day dance party at home 
  I love any activity that gets kids moving.  Dancing is the best kind of exercise.  Spend the night having a dance party (Here is a list of fun kid dance party songs).  Maybe you have a Wii and can follow along to a Just Dance game or simply put some music on the radio (or phone) and dance the night away.  Don’t forget to play some oldies but goodies…your kids will love it!

• Have family talent show
  Family time and laughter is the best combination.  And what better way to have that combination than a family talent show.  The acts could be love song serenades or magic tricks with Conversation Hearts candies instead of coins. A comedy act can even show loved ones you care as long as the ribbing is playful:)

• Make a breakfast surprise
  Start your Valentine’s Day off right with a special breakfast. Shape into hearts everything that you possibly can, like pancakes and toast. Keep the color scheme red and pink with lots of  berries. And you would be surprised at how much more fun milk is to drink when it’s pink.

• Have a scavenger hunt
  This is one of my favorites! Now this takes a bit of planning, but is a really fun activity for the whole family.  Create a scavenger house around your house or entire yard if weather permits.Create the clues so the answers are compliments to each family member. One could be “Avery’s gorgeous eyes are the color ____.” Your next clue is near a chair in that shade.

• Skype or Facetime with long distance family members
  It’s hard to be away from family and loved ones.  Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to tell those far away how much you love them.  So get in front of the computer and Skype or Facetime and spend a few minutes with those you love that don’t live so near.

• Make it dark chocolate
  It is hard to resist chocolate let along on Valentine’s Day.  So if you are going to indulge in some sweets make sure it is dark chocolate.  There are several health benefits to dark chocolate; it’s good for your heart, good for your brain, actually helps control blood sugar levels, full of antioxidants and is actually high in vitamins and minerals!