THE RECIPES

7 Cookies to Make with the Kids for Valentine’s Day

This year, Valentine’s Day lands on a rare Saturday, which feels like a sign. It’s beyond cold outside in much of the country, it’s still getting dark early and everyone’s already home. So, instead of overthinking plans, lean into the easiest win there is—baking cookies with the kids. Yes, it means there will be flour everywhere, but it also means a fun afternoon together.

If you don’t have a romantic partner, aren’t feeling particularly mushy or just prefer to keep Valentine’s Day low-key and family-focused, this is the move.

Also, a couple of batches wrapped up and dropped off for family and friends is also an elite Valentine’s gesture—thoughtful, cozy and far more appreciated than anything that wilts by Tuesday. You can’t go wrong with any of these cookies, so pick one (or two or three!) and hit the kitchen.

💗 Heart-Shaped Chocolate and Vanilla Sugar Cookies
This classic one-dough-two-ways recipe is perfect for rolling, cutting and arguing over which flavour is better.

 💗 Classic Jam Thumbprint Cookies
Sweet, nostalgic and ideal for little hands that insist on helping—even if the jam situation gets a bit out of hand.

💗 Vanilla Crescent Cookies
Delicate, buttery and dusted in sugar—these feel fancy but secretly couldn’t be easier.

 💗 Wonderland Cookies
These cookies are slightly over the top in the very best way, especially if your kids believe Valentine’s Day should come with a little sparkle.

💗 Painted Sugar Cookies
Part baking project, part art class, part “how long can everyone focus at the table,” this snacktivity is a sweet way to spend Valentine’s afternoon.

 💗 Inside-Out Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate dough with white chocolate chips is a fun twist on the OG chocolate chip cookie. Add red and pink M&Ms for a love-ly twist.

 💗 Chewy Lemon Crackle Cookies
These bright, citrusy cookies are a welcome reminder that winter will not, in fact, last forever.

THE POLL

Valentines: Do You Make Them, Buy Them or Ignore Them Altogether?

ParentsCanada editor Katie here…

When my oldest, Sophie, first started daycare, we made Valentine’s for her class. She had just turned three and there were maybe eight other kids. I don’t remember what the cards looked like, but I do remember red paint everywhere and that Soph cared far more about the (approved, school-safe) cookies we included. It made for a fun post-nap activity one afternoon. (I love the post we shared above from The Unschooled Project because it’s a craft and an outdoor adventure!)

Then she started kindergarten and the class list jumped from eight kids to 30. Enter store bought Valentines, with me doing most of the heavy lifting. A couple years later, when her sister, Juliette, started school and the work doubled, I bought rubber stamps with their names so we could move faster.

I’m not going to lie: Last year, when Sophie (then 14) decided to make Valentines just for her two besties, and the school started selling Valentine’s candygrams as a parent council fundraiser—meaning I could just pay for Juliette’s class—I was not mad about it. Best $30 I’ve spent in my life.

So we want to know… where are you on your Valentine’s Day journey? Do you make cards, buy cards or ignore that they exist altogether?

TODAY’S POLL

Results from last week’s poll  

Is "emotional literacy” a term that’s familiar to you?

🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ Yes—I use it or talk about it regularly (22.4%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 I’ve heard it, but I’m not totally sure what it means (34.2%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I’ve heard the idea, just not the term (21.1%)
🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ No—this is completely new to me (22.4%)

THE QUESTION BOX

How Can I Make Valentine’s Day More Inclusive for My Child and Their Classmates?

Valentine’s Day at school can be pure magic—but it can also be tough for kids who feel left out. The easiest way to tip it toward the former is to take the pressure off “who gets what” and put the focus back on kindness, effort and making sure everyone belongs.

When kids give cards to the whole class and use genuinely positive language, Valentine’s Day becomes less about popularity and more about connection.

Some teachers take it a step further by turning the day into a confidence-boosting exercise, having kids write something kind about every classmate. The result? Every child goes home feeling seen—and that’s the kind of Valentine’s memory that actually lasts.

Key ways to make Valentine’s Day more inclusive:

• Make cards for everyone in the class—no exceptions

• Encourage kind, affirmative messages (avoid puns that could be misinterpreted)

• Check with teachers before sending treats and keep allergies in mind

• Use the day as a chance to talk about empathy and how it feels to be included

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