How to Throw a Kid-Friendly Valentine's Day Party

Valentine’s Day parties are ideal for spending time with your favorite people. Better yet, these parties double as an alternative to spending the day alone if you’re currently single.

That being said, Valentine’s Day party can be more difficult to throw than a holiday or birthday party, especially when there are kids in attendance. To eliminate party-organizing stress, grab a few of your closest friends and follow these tips. You’ll all have a great time, and your party will be a big hit!

Decide who to invite.

Sit down with a piece of paper and start drafting the names of potential guests. If you’re celebrating with single friends, don’t feel obligated to invite all the couples you know—they probably already have something planned, anyway. On the same note, if some of your prospective invitees turn cynical on Valentine’s Day, it’s best to leave them off the list.

For the kids, remember that you don’t have to invite your child’s whole class. A few close friends will be sufficient enough for them to have fun with each other while the adults do their thing. Ultimately, the people you invite depend on the size of the party, the size of your house, and your own personal preference.

There are a ton of adorable Valentine’s Day cards online that are free to print and use—you can even send the invite details on packaged gummy hearts. If you’re more of a DIY type, grab a few friends and throw an arts and crafts session to make your own one-of-a-kind cards.

Decorate

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to go crazy with all your red and pink decor. If you’re on a budget, try filling heart-shaped pink and red balloons, or shopping for some clearance red Christmas decor. Red and pink scented candles will make the party feel more intimate, but be careful with open candles if there are kids running around.

Obviously, serving pink and red cupcakes or cookies is non-negotiable for Valentine’s Day party. You don’t have to go too crazy with this—pink icing or red heart-shaped sprinkles are sufficient to match the party’s theme. If you’re not into baking, then conversation hearts, red M&Ms, and other Valentine’s Day-related candies are also great ideas.

Find activities everyone will enjoy.

It might seem hard to mesh kid and adult games, but there are an endless number of activities that people of all ages can enjoy. For a memorable night, consider renting a photo booth near you. Photo booth rentals can be found easily through a simple Google search, like “photo booth rental Long Island.”

To make your photo booth extra Valentine-themed, set up a cute backdrop. Hang some pink or red fabric to create a festive backdrop. A trip to the dollar store is a great way to find props for photos like heart-shaped glasses or pink fuzzy scarves. And don’t forget to send everyone their photos as soon as they’re developed!

Additionally, consider setting up some separate activity areas for kids and adults. Adults can try their hand at throwing darts at a heart-shaped dartboard or playing games like Cards Against Humanity. In a separate room, kids can play board games or watch Valentine’s Day-related movie. Activities that don’t require ample adult supervision are optimal.

Spend Valentine’s Day with your favorite people this year by throwing your own party. Organizing a Valentine’s Day-themed party appropriate for both children and adults don’t have to be stressful, especially if you enlist the help of your closest friends. All in all, remember that the day is about creating memories and having fun with your loved ones.