This list of 14 Valentine's Day read alouds and activities are perfect for celebrating friendship and kindness in your classroom this February, or at any time of the year!
Roses are red
Violets are blue
We love to read
How about you?
Here at Lucky Little Learners, we love a good classroom read-aloud. February is a month for celebrating friendship and kindness. Explore these themes and more with our list of Valentine's Day read alouds and activities for the classroom.
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1. Book: Rhyme Time Valentine
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
Your students will learn about the power of creativity and kindness when things don’t go as planned. Ruby is excited to share the Valentine cards she made, but when they mysteriously disappear, she finds a thoughtful and creative way to show her classmates how much they mean to her. It’s a great story to spark a discussion about problem-solving and expressing care for others.
An activity to pair with “Rhyme Time Valentine”
Create a rhyming word chain of hearts! This is a fun way to build on the themes of creativity and collaboration from the story. After reading about how Ruby finds a unique way to show her classmates she cares, introduce the project.
On strips of paper, write rhyming words. Then, staple your strips together into this heart paper chain.
BONUS: It’s a hands-on way for students to practice phonemic awareness by coming up with rhyming words while working together to create something meaningful. Plus, the heart-shaped paper chain doubles as a festive classroom decoration that reminds everyone of the importance of teamwork and kindness.
2. Love Grows Everywhere
By Barry Timms, illustrated by Tisha Lee
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
This heartwarming book shows how we care for others around us can help love grow anywhere, even at school!
An activity to pair with “Love Grows Everywhere”
Grow an indoor class garden. Have students decorate pots or planters with paint. Then, choose a seed to grow in the pot (wildflowers, spring vegetables, herbs, are all good choices!). Students will care for and nurture their plants as they grow.
3. Plant a Kiss
by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
Little Miss planted a kiss! What will she grow? Discover the unexpected in this book that celebrates kindness, love, and generosity while encouraging creativity and sparking meaningful discussions about empathy,.
An activity to pair with “Plant a Kiss”
Complete a creative writing prompt. I planted… It grew into a… Have fun coming up with silly and sweet ideas! Illustrate the final writing prompt and share it with the class.
4. Groundhug Day
by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by Christopher Denise
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
Groundhog's friends are sad that he can never celebrate Valentine's Day with them, since he often goes back to sleep after Groundhog Day. The friends come up with a way to share a special day with Groundhog he will never forget.This book will teach your students about working together and including others.
An activity to pair with “Groundhug Day”
Celebrate Groundhog Day with our nonfiction text skills Groundhog Day Writing Activities, Math Puzzles or Brag Tags.
5. This is NOT a Valentine
By Carter Higgins, illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
This story highlights the value of friendship in a fun and unique way. It helps kids see that caring for others is about thoughtful actions, not just traditional Valentine’s ideas,
An activity to pair with “This is NOT a Valentine”
Identify school helpers – it could be the nurse, support staff, office staff, food service workers, bus drivers, custodians, etc. Have the students write a friendly letter thanking them for all they do for the school. Hand-deliver the letters to show your appreciation! Check out these resources on how to write a friendly letter.
Bonus Idea: Thank You Card and Friendly Letter Template. Click below to download these easy-to-use thank you card or letter templates for your class.
6. Love is My Favorite Thing
Written and Illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
This cute read aloud is all about unconditional love and accepting others, even when they make mistakes. With its adorable dog character and heartwarming message, it’s a fun way to teach kids about kindness and forgiveness.
An activity to pair with “Love is My Favorite Thing”
Make these adorable Heart Animal Valentines with your students! Bonus – these are perfect for a discussion on symmetry. In fact, why not design a whole lesson with some of our favorite symmetry activities!
7. Love is…
By Diana Adams, illustrated by Claire Keane
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
“Love is” is a heartwarming story about a girl caring for a duckling that shows love as kindness, patience, and learning to let go. Its simple rhymes and touching message make it a meaningful read for teaching what it really means to care for others.
An activity to pair with “Love is”
Make a heart map. A heart map is an example for students to write about the people, things, and experiences that matter most to them. Have students write about all the things they love. On a piece of blank paper, have students draw a large heart shape. Inside the heart, draw or write about the things and people they hold dear. Share these heart maps with the class. Or, color along as you listen to this story with the Color by Number math resources on All Access.
8. Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
By Eileen Spinelli, illustrated by Paul Yalowitz
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
Your students swill love this story about kindness and how a simple act can change someone’s life. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day because it helps kids see the power of showing others they care.
An activity to pair with “Somebody Loves You Mr. Hatch”
Solve a Valentine mystery of your own with the Valentine Money Messages activity. Students will try to crack the code and solve the secret Valentine message, all while improving their money counting skills.
9. Love
By Stacy McAnulty, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
This heartwarming story shows kids how love can be found in everyday moments, big and small. It’s a great choice for Valentine’s Day to help students appreciate the simple, meaningful ways we show we care.
An activity to pair with “Love”
Cut out paper hearts, and have each student write a way they can show love. For example: Love is baking cookies with grandma! Love is taking my dog for a walk. Love is helping my brother with his homework. Hang the hearts around the classroom or on a bulletin board.
10. The Day It Rained Hearts
Written and illustrated by Felicia Bond
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
This sweet Valentine’s story that inspires kids to think thoughtfully and creatively about expressing care for others. It’s perfect for sparking fun conversations and activities about kindness and making personalized gifts for friends.
Activities to pair with “The Day it Rained Hearts”
Create wall art based on The Day it Rained Hearts. Use the spring/summer art suggestions in Hallway Art Ideas for Every Season for a fun Valentine twist!
11. In My Heart
Written and illustrated by Jo Witek
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
This is a wonderful Valentine’s Day read that helps kids explore and understand different emotions in a relatable way. Its colorful illustrations and heartfelt message make it a great choice for teaching empathy and self-expression.This book makes a great connection to our Social Emotional Learning Curriculum.
An Activity to pair with “In My Heart”
Just like the book suggests, each heart is like a house. Have students draw a picture of a house, and write or draw examples of all the emotions that they have inside.
12. Words and Your Heart
Written and illustrated by Kate Jane Neal
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
This book helps kids understand how their words can affect others’ feelings. It’s a meaningful way to teach kindness and the importance of using words to uplift and support one another.
Activities to pair with “Words and your heart”
Make a “heart words” chart for your class. On a large piece of poster board or chart paper, draw a heart. Throughout the day or week, every time you hear a student using kind words, write what they say inside the heart word chart. Or, have students write a kind or supportive phrase inside the heart during morning meeting check-in.
Bonus Idea: Make these adorable crayon hearts and give to students as Valentines.
13. Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It)
by Carrie Finison, illustrated by Daniel Wiseman
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
It's important to remember that everyone has different ways they are comfortable with showing and receiving affection. This book helps students understand bodily autonomy and know that it's ok to say “no” when something is uncomfortable. Rissy No Kissies by Katey Howes shares a similar message for students.
An Activity to pair with “Don't Hug Doug”
Brainstorm a list of ways that friends can show affection without being physical.
14. The Biggest Valentine Ever
By Steven Kroll, illustrated by Jeni Bassett
Why is this a good read aloud for Valentine's Day?
“The Biggest Valentine Ever” is a fun and heartwarming story about teamwork and friendship as two mice work together to create the perfect Valentine. It’s a great way to teach kids about cooperation and celebrating their unique ideas.
An Activity to pair with “The Biggest Valentine Ever”
Have students work together in groups to create their own oversized Valentines to decorate the classroom. Spread out the art supplies and let their imaginations run wild! Or, have students work together in groups while they complete our fabulous February Math Centers.
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We hope this list of Valentine's Day read-alouds and activities are perfect for celebrating friendship, and kindness in your classroom this February, or any time of the year!
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