💌 For families and classrooms

Valentine's Day books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate

When is Valentine's Day? Sunday 14 February 2027.

What is Valentine's Day?

Valentine's Day, on 14 February, is a day for showing love. For young children it's a lovely chance to talk about all kinds of love: for family, friends, pets and the people who look after them.

Who celebrates Valentine's Day, and books for each

For families and classrooms

Children make cards for people they love, share kind words, and talk about how love feels and how we show it. Many schools keep it to friendship and kindness rather than romance.

📖 Free guide
Guess How Much I Love You
Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
two hares try to measure how much they love each other
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
The Invisible String
Patrice Karst
a gentle way to explain that love connects us even when we're apart
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
I Love You to the Moon and Back
Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes
a bear and cub share a day of love
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
Love You Forever
Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw
a mother's love through every stage of growing up
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
I Love You, Blue Kangaroo!
Emma Chichester Clark
about sharing love and a favourite toy
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →
📖 Free guide
Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present
Charlotte Zolotow and Maurice Sendak
choosing a thoughtful gift for someone you love
Questions, activities and a printable sheet →

Questions to ask while you read

Use these with any of the Valentine's Day books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.

What is the family in the story getting ready for?
Which part of Valentine's Day would you most like to try, and why?
How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
Is anything in the story like something your family does?
What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Valentine's Day?

Ways to celebrate Valentine's Day with children

Make a card for someone who looks after you.
Write three kind things about a friend.
Draw a 'love map' of everyone you love.
Bake heart-shaped biscuits and give some away.

Valentine's Day picture books at a glance

All the Valentine's Day books on this page: Guess How Much I Love You (Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram), The Invisible String (Patrice Karst), I Love You to the Moon and Back (Amelia Hepworth and Tim Warnes), Love You Forever (Robert Munsch and Sheila McGraw), I Love You, Blue Kangaroo! (Emma Chichester Clark), Mr Rabbit and the Lovely Present (Charlotte Zolotow and Maurice Sendak).

Questions parents ask about Valentine's Day

Is Valentine's Day OK for young children?

Yes, as a day about love and kindness for family and friends. Keep the focus on showing people we care, not on romance.

What's a good Valentine's activity for a class?

Kindness cards: each child writes or draws one kind thing about a classmate. Everyone gets one.

Related festivals: Mothering Sunday · Pancake Day

All festivals, by month and by faith →

Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.