They’ll forget the gifts and the color of the wrapping paper, but they won’t forget how you made them feel on Valentine’s Day! It’s all about the love—your love, their love, lovey-dovey hearts on all things, and that random flying diaper baby. Still not a fan of him, but maybe that’s because I’ve changed too many diapers. Let’s keep to the hearts and the red, white, and pink theme.

Grab another cup of coffee (or reheat your first cup for the third time today) and let’s plan to make a special memory with your kids this Valentine’s Day.

8 Inexpensive Ways to Make Valentine’s Day Special for Your Kids

1. Gather colored construction paper and cut out heart shapes (tip for this craft here). Write down some of your children’s awesome character traits and everything you love about them! Keep in mind that, “Best at picking fights with siblings” doesn’t count. If you’re ready to skip this idea altogether because crafting ain’t your thing…grab some heart-shaped doilies and pick up a Sharpie! Tape these on the door to their room for a wonderful surprise on Valentine’s Day morning.
2. Grab any leftover streamers in Valentine’s Day colors (or get some from the party section of your favorite store). Tape them to the top of the door frame to their room. Make sure they’re long enough to touch the floor. They’ll love this temporary decoration! We also do this for birthday celebrations at our house.
3. This is the kid version of a candlelight dinner! Head to the Dollar Store (my favorite choice) or look on Amazon for glow sticks of any kind. Necklaces, headbands, bracelets, or glasses—just know that you can never have too many glow sticks. Give them as a gift in the morning and tell kids that they will need them for dinnertime. At dinner, turn the lights on low, put on their favorite music, and everyone can wear their glow stick creations.
4. If your child is always drawing things for you, this is your time to shine. Buy a small box of chocolates and give it along with a drawing that you created. Maybe it’s a drawing of a special memory the two of you shared, a fun activity that you both enjoy, or the two of you together in a field of flowers! I’m really only great at stick figures, but my kid still loves receiving my drawings. Thankfully, it’s for their eyes only!
5. Give a coupon that your child can redeem for a special date with you. You can write down the date, location, and time if you want to plan it all out. If you want their input, leave those blank and you two can plan together. That special time where you choose to focus on each other will become a cherished memory.
6. Pick up a single rose of any color and attach a silly poem or a joke. This joke book for kids would also be a great addition.
7. Purchase a special bottle of bath bubbles and make time for them to take relaxing bubble baths. School is hard; they deserve relaxation time, too!
8. Make some cookies together. I love this Neiman Marcus cookie recipe. Package them up together and deliver to your friends, neighbors, or family members who live close by. Be sure to keep some for the two of you, so you can snuggle on the couch and enjoy your cookie creations.

Whatever you decide to do for Valentine’s Day, I hope it will be a day that you both feel loved and appreciated. That’s really all anyone desires: to be known, to be loved, and to be seen. Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!

{Read More: Sweet & Simple Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Kids}