❤️ 4 PBS KIDS activities to nurture kindness this Valentine’s Day

January 30, 2024 Tawny Morrison Leave a Comment

It’s fun to spread love on Valentine’s Day with heart-shaped candies and pun-filled cards. Another great way to show love is through kindness! Check out these PBS KIDS activities to help children understand and practice kindness on Valentine’s Day or any day!

Make kindness loops

Acts of kindness vary depending on the situation and the people involved. Help kids think about different ways to be kind to others with “Kindness Loops”!

First, cut strips of paper for your loops. Together with your child, brainstorm ways they can show kindness to others. Help spark ideas with questions — What does it look like to be kind to friends? What about a family pet? Are there ways they can show kindness in their community?

Then, you and your child can write or draw your ideas on the strips of paper. Once you’re finished, tape or glue the loops together to make a beautiful chain. Hang it up to help your child remember the different ways they can practice kindness each day.

Find the full instructions in English and Spanish on the PBS KIDS for Parents website.

Practice kindness with Elmo

Kids can see kindness in action while playing the Elmo’s School Friends digital game. Players join Elmo in his classroom and decide how to help each friend solve a different problem. Each scenario offers different ways to help, like offering a hug or helping clean up a mess, so kids can choose an option that feels right to them.

For more ways to play, check out the Neighbor Day game. Kids help Daniel Tiger’s neighborhood friends as they get ready for their Neighbor Day celebration. From cleaning and decorating to preparing food, there are so many ways to lend a helping hand.

PBS KIDS games are always free to play online and on the go with the PBS KIDS Games app.

Explore kindness in books

From lending a helping hand to making sure everyone feels included, books can help kids learn a lot about what kindness looks like and why it’s important. Head over to PBS KIDS for Parents for a list of book recommendations, including “It’s Okay To Be Different” by Todd Parr. The brightly colored illustrations encourage inclusion by reminding readers that everyone is different in their own (sometimes silly) way.

Make a special gift

Taking time to craft a personal gift is an act of kindness that’s as rewarding for the gift-giver as it is for the recipient. The “Make Your Own Heart Necklaces” craft is a fun way to encourage kids to think about loved ones while they make a personalized gift.

Start by cutting out different sizes of hearts from recycled cardboard. Next, glue the hearts on top of one another. Finally, color and decorate the hearts with paint, markers, stickers or whatever kids like! Kids can gift them as they are or add string to make a one-of-a-kind necklace.

For more giftable ideas, visit the PBS KIDS for Parents Valentine’s Day page.

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