Last updated on July 9th, 2024 at 02:44 pm
Wondering what to do to celebrate baby’s first Valentine’s Day?
I’ve never been much of a Valentine’s Day celebrator myself (love should be celebrated every day, you know?) Plus, with the busy schedule of a nurse we usually just end up scrambling to pull something together and it’s rarely on the actual holiday.
But now with a baby, for some reason firsts are just so much more fun! Even if you aren’t big into celebrating the holiday with your partner, you can still find something fun to celebrate your baby’s first Valentine’s Day!
And while your baby still can’t do much, there are plenty of options to make the day special while still keeping it simple and easy.
Here are some of my favorite ways to celebrate baby’s first Valentine’s Day.
Pin this image for later!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If purchases are made through these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting this site.
1. Get a Cute Outfit
I always love an excuse to get a cute new outfit, and baby’s first Valentine’s Day is no different! Even if you don’t have any plans to go out, a fun Valentine themed outfit is sure to make your day even more cheerful and fun!
And Valentine theme doesn’t have to mean much more than a pink or red outfit you already have. If you are looking for something new check out something with hearts, a charming tutu, or even a little suit for your dapper dude!
There are too many cute options like these ones to choose from. (Bonus points for family coordinating outfits!) And don’t hesitate to dress your little guy up in something pink!
2. Have a First Valentine's Day Photo Shoot
Now that you have the perfect outfit, it’s time to capture your baby’s first Valentine’s Day on film for the memories! These are so fun to look back on as your baby grows each year.
You don’t have to have any fancy props to take great pictures. Honestly phone cameras are pretty much as good as professional cameras these days! If you want to spice it up, you could also try a themed backdrop or some heart shaped pillows with other Valentine’s Day décor around your home.
Luckily Amazon is around to make mom life easier! Who has time to DIY everything anymore now that you have a baby? To be honest, I usually just keep it simple with a neutral-colored throw blanket and their Valentine’s Day outfit.
Don’t forget to take a picture with you and your baby as well! Mamas never have enough pictures with their little ones. It doesn’t have to be a perfect photo, but you will thank yourself later for the memories.
Share these darling snapshots capturing your baby’s first Valentine’s Day with family and friends on social media to spread the love! And make sure to pick out the perfect Valentine’s Day caption to go with it.
3. Make a Cute Keepsake Together
If you haven’t already had the chance to create those baby footprints or handprints you’ve been wanting to, now is the perfect time!
You could use clay or salt dough to make a mold and then paint the prints. Or I prefer to use simple washable paint and paper to make cute hearts or even flower garden. The possibilities are endless!
These prints could be used as a card for dad or frame them as a gift for the grandparents. To make your projects sturdier, I would recommend using cardstock as your base. There is less chance of the paper ripping with those squirmy fingers and toes.
4. Read Valentine's Day Books
A book is honestly one of the best gifts you can get your baby for any holiday! It is something you will get to use over and over again and reading is such an important part of language development for your child.
Here are some of my tops picks for board books to read on your baby’s first Valentine’s Day:
- Llama Llama I love You – All the Llama Llama books are a favorite in our house.
- I Love You – A great baby touch and feel book for sensory time.
- LOVE – This book by Eric Carle (author of the Hungry Caterpillar) has darling nostalgic art that reminds me of my childhood.
- My First Valentine’s Day – A cute Mickey Mouse book perfect for the Disney lovers.
- Valentines (By Babies Love) – Lift-the-Flap books are perfect for the 6+ month baby to start interacting during reading time. We have several Babies Love books and they are so fun!
5. Get Them a Valentine's Gift
I always love an excuse to buy my kids gifts, and baby’s first Valentine’s Day is no different. While they won’t understand the meaning of the holiday for several years, it is still fun to get them a gift that will remind you of this special moment.
You could get them a cute stuffed animal like this one, or maybe a fun Valentine themed toy. Or a more practical option would be a developmentally appropriate new toy or an item you need for them. If you are looking for more ideas for new babies check out our list of best toys for babies first six months!
6. Sensory Play With Valentine Toys
This is obviously dependent on baby’s age, but a sensory bin that is Valentine’s Day themed could be a fun activity for the both of you!
For babies, I typically like to make my sensory bin base water and then put items in that baby can grab and play with. For Valentine’s Day this included some heart shaped sponges, foam hearts, or these Valentines’ Day rubber duckies.
You can also make a sensory bag with colored rice or paint and tape them to baby’s highchair for them to play with! Make sure to always supervise your baby and avoid any items that could be a potential choking hazard.
7. Enjoy a Treat Together
Making and sharing a fun sweet treat together can be a great way to celebrate baby’s first Valentine’s Day. And just because your child isn’t old enough to eat candy yet, doesn’t mean you can’t have something delicious and nutritious, but also a little sweet!
Some fun ideas include mashed strawberries, flavored oatmeal, or even a smoothie. Use this as an opportunity to try out some new tastes and textures or even make a new recipe!
8. Write A Letter To Your Baby
Obviously, your baby can’t read yet (and won’t for a while) but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t love to read something from you one day! You can write a letter to your baby about your feelings on this first Valentine’s Day for them to enjoy later in life. This could include really anything you’d like about your hopes or dreams for your child in the future. Or even fun memories or feelings about being their parent.
And better yet, turn it into a time-capsule of sorts that you can add some of the footprint or handprint artwork you created and some photo shoot pictures as well.
9. Start a Valentine's Day Tradition
Your baby won’t remember their first Valentine’s Day, but you will! Start a tradition that you can do with your family each year on the holiday. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant:
- Make homemade Valentine’s for loved ones
- Bake a special Valentine’s Day treat
- Do a holiday craft together
- Go “heart attack” a neighbor’s front door
- Visit a retirement home
Whatever you choose, make sure it is a lasting tradition that your children can look forwards to doing as a family year after year. If you need more ideas, check out simple valentine’s day activities for kids you can continue doing year after year!
10. Family Valentine's Day Date
Having a new baby can make it hard to spend time with your partner. Even if you aren’t comfortable leaving your baby with someone yet, take this opportunity to get out of the house and spend quality family time together.
There are so many baby-friendly options you could choose from like dinner at your favorite spot, family time at the aquarium, or a local botanical garden.
Reservations are hard to get, and it can get crowded on the holiday so plan for another night or for a lunch date if necessary.
And if going out is not in the cards this holiday, there are so many fun ways you can spend quality time together with a date night in!
And there you have it! Those are my picks of the best ways to celebrate baby’s first Valentine’s Day! While it may seem a little bit overboard, making memories with your child to look back on for years to come is one of my favorite parts about being a parent.
This Valentine’s Day definitely looks different than it was in the past (especially if this is your first baby) but it is one you will treasure for years to come. Happy Valentine’s Day!
