Steal My Heart

Provide each student with a set of chopsticks for a game of steal my heart. Find inexpensive sets of break-apart chopsticks at kitchen supply or discount department stores. Seat pairs of children across from each other at classroom tables. Place a bowl, filled with candy "conversation hearts," between each pair. Place a napkin in front of every child, and give each a set of chopsticks. Tell the children they will have five minutes to use only chopsticks to remove hearts from the bowl and place them onto their napkins. Say "Go!" and time the game for five minutes. When time is up, the child with the most hearts on her napkin wins.

Cupid's Surprise

Put a Valentine's Day twist on the classic game of hot potato. Before the classroom party, wrap enough small valentine gifts in red and pink tissue paper for every student. Seat the children in a circle, and hand a child one of the gifts. Turn on music to begin the game --- a CD of love songs or violin music can provide a proper party atmosphere. When you start the music, the child with the gift must pass it to the child on his right. Tell the children to keep passing the gift to the child is sitting to the right until the music stops. When you turn the music off, the child with the gift in his hands is out but gets to keep the gift to open as a prize. Begin again with a new gift and continue playing until all of the children have gone out of the game and received a gift.

Be My Valentine Smile

Gather the class in a standing circle for a game of be my valentine smile. Choose a child to be "it." Ask the child to choose a classmate to approach and ask the question, "Will you be my valentine smile?" The child who was asked should answer, "No, I will not be your valentine smile." The child who answers must do so without smiling. If she smiles, she becomes "it" and must ask the question of another classmate. Once a child has been "it," give her a heart-shaped lollipop or another treat to enjoy as the rest of the class plays until everyone has a turn.