Valentine’s Day is all about the language of love, but did you know that your child has a specific love language? Based on the work of Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell, there are 5 love languages – physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. We can use this knowledge to choose Valentine’s Day gifts for our children that truly speak to their hearts.

First, determine your child’s love language. You can have your child take a quiz at 5lovelanguages.com/profile/children. Once you know, use this guide to choose the perfect gift for your little love.

Physical Touch

1. For an older child, consider gifting a massage or a day at the spa to be pampered.

2. Give the gift of a soothing, relaxing bath. Fill a basket with bubble bath, bath fizz, and candles.

3. Gift a coupon book for hugs, kisses, and snuggles to be redeemed any time!

4. Buy your child a book, and promise to read it together every night while cozied up together.

5. Purchase a touch-oriented gift like a soft pillow, sweater, or blanket.

Tip: Always shower this child with affection!

Words of Affirmation

1. Buy a chalkboard and write “What I Love About You” as the heading and list as many as you can think of or will fit. Hang in their room and string lights around it.

2. Plan a scavenger hunt with notes that tell your child the reasons you appreciate him or her. At the end, place a physical gift like a teddy bear or a box of candy.

3. Write your child a poem and have it framed.

4. Create a booklet called “You are Special to Me Because…” and fill the pages with kindness.

5. Leave love notes all over their room! On the walls, shelves, mirror, pillow.

Tip: Say encouraging words to this child every day.

 

Quality Time

1. Plan a date night for just the two of you. If you have multiple children, plan a special evening with each one individually.

2. Go on a “wandering” road trip together. Stop for ice cream.

3. Gift tickets to a show for some quality time together.

4. Buy a new board game and promise to play one night a week, devices off.

5. Take a class together like painting, pottery, or cooking.

Tip: Carve out 5-15 minutes of “special time” each evening with your child before bed to just chat.

Gifts

1. Buy one of those stuffed animals that record your voice and say, “I love you!”

2. Gift a personalized item, such as a necklace with her name on it.

3. Buy something specific to their current interests. This shows you’ve been paying attention!

4. Give your child a gift certificate to his favorite store and go pick out something together.

5. Make your child a bracelet or crocheted bear, something special just from you to her/him.

Tip: This love language isn’t about materialism but intentional gifts that say “You mean a lot to me.”

Acts of Service

1. Make your child a special breakfast such as heart-shaped pancakes and serve them in bed.

2. Give him a coupon for getting his room cleaned for a week.

3. Give her a certificate for a manicure or pedicure.

4. Cook your child’s favorite meal for dinner.

5. Gift them what they need to tackle a project or pursue a talent or interest. For example, give your budding a musician piano lessons or your little star his own camera.

Tip: You serve your children every day in many ways, but sometimes our attitudes about doing so can become less than pleasant. Aim to do all you do with love and a positive attitude, especially for a child whose love language is acts of service.