Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas for Au Pairs and Host Children
Valentine’s Day can be a simple and meaningful moment to spend creative time with your host children. It does not need to be expensive or elaborate. What matters most is the shared activity and the conversation that happens while crafting together.
As an Au Pair in Germany, small creative rituals like this can strengthen your bond with the children and also allow you to bring a bit of your own culture into the home. Below are practical craft ideas that are easy to organize, age-flexible, and suitable for most German households.
1. Handmade “Thank You” Cards
Encouraging children to craft cards expressing gratitude beyond traditional Valentine’s Day messages can be a meaningful activity. Rather than solely focusing on romantic sentiments, guiding them to create “Thank You” or “I Appreciate You” cards for significant individuals in their lives fosters a sense of appreciation and connection.
The recipients of these thoughtful cards can include parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, and even yourself. This exercise not only teaches children about gratitude but also allows them to reflect on the positive aspects of their relationships.
Engaging in this activity provides an opportunity to ask prompting questions like “What do you appreciate most about Mom?” or “What brings joy to Dad?” Such inquiries help children delve deeper into their feelings and thoughts, transforming the card-making process into a reflective exercise tailored to their age and understanding.
For younger children, drawing pictures can be a creative way to convey their sentiments, while older children can practice writing short sentences in their native language or even explore new languages such as German or English during this heartwarming activity.
2. Heart Garland for the Kitchen or Living Room
Crafting a heart garland can be both straightforward and impactful. The essential supplies for this project include colored paper, scissors, string, and either tape or glue.
Here are some steps you can follow:
• Create hearts in various sizes by cutting out the paper
• Allow children to embellish the hearts with drawings or stickers
• Write positive words on each heart, such as “Family,” “Friendship,” “Thank you,” and “Together”
In Germany, households often appreciate understated and neat decorations, so opting for a minimalistic design may align well with their style. To determine the ideal placement for the garland, consider consulting the host parents.
3. “Acts of Kindness” Jar
This activity focuses less on decoration and more on behavior.
Take a jar and small pieces of paper. Ask the children to write or draw small acts of kindness they can do during the week, such as:
- Help set the table
- Share toys
- Say thank you
- Give a compliment
Every day, they pick one action from the jar and try to do it intentionally. This helps children connect Valentine’s Day with everyday kindness rather than only sweets or gifts.
It also fits well with many German families’ focus on responsibility and practical values.
4. Baking Together with a Personal Touch
Baking heart shaped cookies or simple muffins is always popular. In Germany, baking together is already a common family activity, so this usually feels natural.
You can:
- Use heart shaped cookie cutters
- Let the children decorate with icing
- Bring a recipe from your home country
This is also a good opportunity to talk about how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in your culture. Cultural exchange does not need to be complicated. Sharing traditions through food is often the easiest way.
5. “What Makes Our Family Special” Poster
On a large sheet of paper, create a poster titled: “What Makes Our Family Special”.
Each child can add:
- A drawing of the family
- One thing they like about home
- A shared activity they enjoy
You can add your own drawing or sentence too. This reinforces belonging and reminds everyone that you are part of the household during your Au Pair year.
As an Au Pair, the goal is not to create perfect crafts. It is to create connection.
Keep expectations realistic. Prepare materials in advance. Ask the host parents if they are comfortable with certain decorations or baking plans. Respect the family’s routines and preferences.
Most importantly, use the crafting time to talk, listen, and observe. Sometimes children open up most easily when their hands are busy.
Valentine’s Day does not have to be dramatic. It can simply be a calm afternoon at the table, cutting paper hearts, sharing stories, and building small traditions together.
Happy crafting and happy Valentine’s Day. 💛
Want to become an Au Pair in Germany?
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• Do not charge Au Pairs any fees
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