Valentine’s Day Party Planning Guide for Any Age
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Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romantic dates and candlelit dinners; it’s the perfect excuse to throw a party that leaves no heart-shaped candy unturned. This guide will make sure your party is as memorable as that time your sister ate a whole box of chocolate and wouldn’t share with you only to find out the hard way that it was a box of ex-lax! No, just my sister? That’s a true story by the way! We still get a good laugh about that to this day?! Let’s dive into the delightful details of planning a Valentine’s Day party that’ll be the -ish, but in the good kind of way!
For the Kids: Heartfelt Fun and Games
Invitations
Kick things off with cute, colorful invitations. You can make these yourself with craft paper, markers, and stickers, or find printable options online. Encourage the kiddos to get involved by decorating the invitations with glitter, stamps, and their wildest imaginations. Trust me, nothing says “Come to my party!” like a glitter explosion.
Decorations
Transform your home into a Valentine’s wonderland with pink, red, and white decorations. Think heart-shaped balloons, paper garlands, and fairy lights. And because we love a good photo op, don’t forget a photo booth with fun props like heart glasses, cupid wings, and a candy heart backdrop for good measure.
Activities and Games
Craft Station: Set up a craft station with supplies for making Valentine’s Day cards, decorating cookies, or creating heart-shaped ornaments. Let’s face it, kids with glue and glitter are like artists in their prime.
Do you remember making valentines day boxes or bags in your classroom as a kid? How fun would it be to have the kiddos create their own at the party and be able to take it home filled with their friends’ handmade valentines and all the goodies from the party?
For some extra inspiration for Valentine’s crafts checkout my blog “DIY Creative Valentine’s Day Cards & Crafts” after you’re finished here.
Valentine Bingo: Create bingo cards with Valentine’s Day symbols. The first one to complete a line wins a small prize. Just watch out for the competitive ones – bingo can get intense.
Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt with Valentine-themed clues and treats hidden around the house or yard. Nothing says “I love you” like candy hearts stashed in a flowerpot outside, and making kids run around to find them.
Snacks and Treats
Kids love treats, and Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to indulge a little.
Heart-Shaped Sandwiches: Use a cookie cutter to make sandwiches in the shape of hearts. Because, why not?
Chocolate Fondue: Set up a chocolate fondue station with fruit, marshmallows, and pretzels for dipping. If they don’t end up with chocolate all over their faces, you’re doing it wrong.
Valentine’s Day Cupcakes: Decorate cupcakes with pink frosting, heart sprinkles, and edible glitter. Sugar high guaranteed.
The best part is that you can let them indulge in a little sugar, send them outside to scavenger hunt for other prizes, and burn off some energy, then send them home with goodie bags and fun memories!
What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day treat for kids? Share your recipes in the comments and let’s share some recipes!
For the Adults: Elegant and Fun Soirées
Invitations
Send out stylish invitations that match your party theme. Consider digital invitations for convenience or go classic with printed invites. Elegant designs with touches of gold, lace, or floral patterns set the tone for a sophisticated evening. And yes, we know you’ll have one friend who’ll still RSVP at the last minute with a plus one.
Decorations
Create an elegant ambiance with romantic lighting, such as candles and string lights. Use a color palette of deep reds, golds, and soft pinks. Add touches of sophistication with floral arrangements, elegant table settings, and themed centerpieces. Nothing says “I’m an adult” like a carefully curated centerpiece.
Activities and Entertainment
Wine Tasting: Host a wine tasting with a selection of wines and cheeses. Provide guests with scorecards to rate their favorites. Warning: this may lead to a very lively debate about the merits of merlot.
To get your friends involved, ask that everyone bring a wine and the cheese they choose to pair with said wine. As part of the fun, ask each couple to present their pairing as the expert. Trust me, this is both hilarious and delicious.
DIY Cocktail Bar: Set up a cocktail bar where guests can mix their own Valentine-themed drinks. Provide recipe cards for classic cocktails with a romantic twist. Because after a couple of Love Potion Martinis, everyone’s a mixologist.
Photo Booth: Create a chic photo booth with elegant props and a beautiful backdrop. Think vintage hats, feather boas, and heart-shaped signs. Capture those moments before the wine kicks in and things get blurry.
Food and Drinks
Plan a menu that’s both delicious and sophisticated.
Appetizers: Serve a selection of gourmet appetizers like bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, and cheese platters. Perfect for nibbling while getting the night started.
Main Course: Opt for a ‘date night’ style main course such as filet mignon, lobster tail, or a vegetarian risotto. Fancy food always makes it feel like a special occasion.
Desserts: End the night on a sweet note with chocolate-dipped strawberries, a red velvet cake, or a fondue station. Nothing says Valentines Day like dipping things in melted chocolate.
Drinks: Offer a selection of wines, champagne, and themed cocktails like a Love Potion Martini or a Cupid’s Kiss.
Again, you can create the mixologist station or have your friends each bring a signature Valentines cocktail drink that they can present to the group. Awards for the crowd favorite, best tasting, and best overall presentation.
Nothing fuels a good time like some bubbly.
What’s your go-to recipe for a Fralalentine’s Dinner? Share your culinary secrets in the comments – we’re all about sharing good ideas!
If you are looking for ideas to create a very special date night, checkout my blog “Amazing Valentine’s Date Ideas | any Budget or Couple Type” for some great inspiration.
For Both: Bringing Everyone Together
Mixed Activities
If your party includes both kids and adults, plan activities that can engage everyone.
Valentine’s Day Charades: Create a list of love-themed words or phrases for a game of charades that both kids and adults can enjoy. Warning: charades can get pretty wild after a few drinks.
Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine and let guests sing their favorite love songs. Kids can sing along to Disney love tunes, while adults can belt out classic ballads. Get ready for some hilarious performances!
Cookie Decorating Contest: Set up a cookie decorating station with different icings and toppings. Have guests decorate their cookies and vote on the best ones. Offer categories like “Most Creative” and “Best in Show.” Just remember, it’s the effort that counts – not everyone is Martha Stewart.
Inclusive Food Options
Make sure to have food options that cater to all ages and dietary preferences.
Buffet Style: A buffet allows guests to choose what they like. Include kid-friendly options like chicken tenders and mac and cheese, alongside more sophisticated dishes for adults.
One crowd pleaser for any age (my 11-year-old will testify) is a baked potato buffet. It is ridiculously simple and so filling. I think I spoke about a hot dog bar in my blog “Classic All-American Recipes for Your 4th of July”, that would give you some great ideas for toppings to include for the baked potato buffet.
Dessert Table: Create a dessert table with a variety of sweets. Offer both fun treats for kids, like candy and cookies, and elegant desserts for adults, like mini tarts and truffles. Everyone leaves happy and sugar-laden.
How do you balance kid-friendly and adult-friendly activities at your parties? Share your tips and tricks – let’s all learn from each other’s triumphs and disasters!
What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day party memory? High or low, tell us in the comments and let’s spread some love! We all like a good story!
Gather your supplies, set the tone, and get ready to host the most fun Valentines Day you’ve had since your nostalgic days!
Hand hugs,
Anna
My Free Downloads Library Hosts Tons of Printable Planning Pages, Checklists, and more. Check it Out Here:
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