I was wondering what other moms do for Valentines for their kids in preschool. Do you just give cards or do you make up little goodie bags for the kids? I have never dealt with this before and was just curious what most people do. Thanks
It varies with each teacher. With my oldest we just sent cards because they were supplying all kinds of stuff for a party. But with my youngest this year, they asked that parents send in either goody bags or snack. A few kids tape a piece of candy or a lollipop onto their cards.
Some moms do goodie bags and that's fun but definitely not required. Some ideas from Valentine's day past:
Little goody bag with a few pieces of candy and a toy tied with a ribbon and a store-bought card as a tag. We found the toys at the party store in the birthday aisle. I think we put in a heart-shaped balloon and a little kaleidoscope that came in packs of 8.
heart-shaped suckers with a tag and curly ribbon
store-bought cards with a piece of taffy or candy attached
Homemade hearts made out of construction paper
Light sticks (left over from Halloween) with a tag and a ribbon
When our daughters were in preschool we just sent cards by themselvles. They already had a party with cookies, candy, etc so we thought the simple valentine cards were fine.
For my daughter we have little cards and taped a small sucker onto it. I have also done pencils and stickers. Just a card is also fine, they get so much already.
The kids usually get A LOT of cookies, candy from other kids and even at home during valentines so I feel no need to give more then one piece. Even if 10 kids in the class give one piece of cand that is 10 pieces, plus whatever the teacher(s) gives.
They usually get enough sugary goodies at school without the parents adding to it, so I just send the litle paper valentines. Depending on the age, you could also get the valentines that have pencils or stickers. Frankly, at this age, I just go to the dollar store with my son and pick up which ever valentine he likes. There's no sense in spending more than a dollar or so. Good luck!
Last year I made up goodie bags for the kids and sent in cards with my 2 pre-kers. But this year I have one in kindergarden & one in pre-k... and lost my job last July. Plus, the rules of the pre-k changed and we are no longer aloud to send in any item that is to be eaten (due to allergies). So, we are going to send in cards w/ valentine penciles attached to them. All kids can use a pencile to write with since they are do it all the time anyways. Last years bags (I did them for all holidays) always had a pencile, candy and a small toy - most of which I got from the dollar store. Sometimes I would send an eraser if I could find one for the holiday. For Halloween this year I found little boxes of 4 crayons and tatoos for the kids. But thing are a bit tighter now that hubby can't do much work with the cold weather... so we are living on my unemployment alone. So, the cards and penciles will just have to do. But my kids have already seen what I got & are excited to give them to their classes. Really that is all that matters.
Does your school have a protocol? Our preschool has a sign up sheet for parents to bring in paper goods needed for the party, cookies, drinks and items for the treat bags. Students are welcome to bring valentine cards for classmates. Some teachers request they not be addressed to particular children so they can be passed our more easily. I simply bought cards and am having my kids sign their names. We attached a little strip of stickers to each card.
It's really up to you on what you want to do. Some moms would do goodie bags, some would send treats and others(like me)would just do the cards.
I have Vcards for my kids to pass to their classmates I send goodie bags to all classmates they are plastic cups w/ a pencil an eraser & sucker or lil sacks w/ smarties & a sucker.This yr. I came across @ Dollar General candy bracelets that all kids love to add in the sacks w/ the valentine.My son who is in kndergarten I signed up to bring items for class party as well as goodie bags to send home with the classmates.
We just give cards. They get tons of stuff at school, from teachers, the party etc so don't really need any goody bags or other candy. My could do something cute like a pencil or eraser with the valentine or those coupons for free fries or icecream at McDonalds (they are like 12 for $1) so a really good deal if you don't want just paper cards.
It's really up to you. I usually do a little treat bag and put the Valentine card in it so it's easy to pass out.
I'd ask your child's teacher. My son's teacher ONLY allows cards...no candy or goody bags.
