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Valentine's Day Birthday Party Ideas

Sweet hearts and love-themed celebration. Complete planning guide with 15 activities, 11 menu ideas, decorations, and a full shopping list.

Ages 1-80
$70-253
2-3 hour party
41+ ideas
Create Your Valentine's Day Party Plan

Planning a Valentine's Day Birthday Party

A valentine's day birthday party is perfect for kids ages 1-80. Average cost: $70-253 for 10-15 guests. Classic themes are crowd-pleasers because every kid already knows the games. Below: 15 activities, 11 menu ideas, decorations, and a full shopping list with real prices.

Seasonal birthday parties get 25% more RSVPs than non-seasonal themes scheduled the same month — the seasonal hook gives guests one more reason to say yes. 💕 A Valentine's Day party feels like an event, not just a birthday.

Curated by Baljeet Aulakh, Party Genius | Last updated: February 2026

Best Age Range
1-80 years
Party Duration
2-3 hours
Budget Range
$70-253
Total Ideas
41+

💕 Why Choose a Valentine's Day Party?

A Valentine's Day party rides the wave of the season — the decorations, the food, the activities all feel effortless because the world is already set up for it. Ages 1-80 get a heartfelt celebration that's bigger than a birthday — it's a seasonal moment.

Valentine's Day Party Ideas by Age Group

Valentine's Day Party for Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

Keep activities short (10-15 min each), focus on sensory play and simple crafts. Use soft, oversized valentine's day decorations. Plan for parent helpers and keep the party under 90 minutes. For this theme, focus on music, bubbles, and free play — toddlers don't need structured games.

Valentine's Day Party for Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)

Mix structured games with free play. Activities like Cupid's Musical Hearts work perfectly for this age group. Add themed coloring pages and simple treasure hunts. Keep rules simple — one instruction at a time.

Valentine's Day Party for Kids (Ages 6-8)

This age group loves team games and competitions. Try Cupid's Arrow Relay and themed relay races. Kids can handle 5-6 activities over a 2-hour party. Mix high-energy games with quieter moments.

Valentine's Day Party for Tweens (Ages 9-12)

Tweens want more independence and cooler activities. Include creative challenges, scavenger hunts, and photo opportunities. Let them vote on activities and give them roles — tweens want to feel like they're in charge.

💕

Fun Valentine's Day Party Games & Activities

15 themed activities with full instructions

Seasonal parties have a built-in advantage: the world is already decorated. These 15 heartfelt activities lean into what makes this time of year special — the weather, the traditions, and the Valentine's Day energy that's already in the air.

Cupid's Musical Hearts

Mixed

Dance around paper hearts on the floor — when the music stops, find a heart!

15 min4-30 playerslargeAges 3-80

Supplies Needed:

paper heartsmusic speaker
How to Play

Cut large hearts from construction paper. Scatter on floor. Play love songs. When music stops, everyone must stand on a heart. Remove one heart each round.

Cupid's Arrow Relay

High Energy

Teams race to carry a heart-shaped balloon on a spoon across the room.

15 min6-40 playerslargeAges 4-60

Supplies Needed:

heart balloonsspoons
How to Play

Divide into teams. Each player carries a heart balloon on a spoon across the room and back. If it falls, start over from the starting line. First team to finish wins.

Sweetheart Card Workshop

Mixed

Craft beautiful Valentine cards with stamps, stickers, and glitter for loved ones.

25 min2-25 playersmediumAges 3-80

Supplies Needed:

card stockstampsstickersglittermarkersenvelopes
How to Play

Set up a table with card stock, stamps, stickers, glitter, markers, and envelopes. Provide examples for inspiration. Each guest makes 2-3 valentines to take home.

Valentine Bingo Bonanza

Mixed

Play bingo with Valentine-themed images — hearts, roses, candy, and cupids.

20 min4-30 playerssmallAges 4-80

Supplies Needed:

bingo cardscandy heart markersprizes
How to Play

Print Valentine bingo cards (free templates online). Use candy hearts as markers. Call out Valentine items. First to get 5 in a row wins a prize.

Love Bug Treasure Hunt

Mixed

Hide paper hearts around the venue with point values — find the golden heart for bonus points!

20 min4-30 playerslargeAges 4-12

Supplies Needed:

colored paper heartsmarkersgold paper
How to Play

Cut 30+ hearts from colored paper, write point values on back. Hide one special golden heart worth 50 points. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Highest score wins.

Sweetheart Guessing Game

Mixed

Fill a clear jar with conversation hearts — whoever guesses closest wins the jar!

10 min2-50 playerssmallAges 3-80

Supplies Needed:

clear jarconversation heartspaper slipspens
How to Play

Fill a large clear jar with conversation hearts and count as you go. Set out paper slips for guesses. Announce the winner at the end of the party. Winner takes the jar home.

BFF Bracelet Making

Mixed

String beads and letter cubes to make personalized Valentine friendship bracelets.

25 min2-20 playerssmallAges 5-14

Supplies Needed:

elastic cordletter beadsheart beadscolored beads
How to Play

Set out elastic cord, letter beads, heart beads, and colored beads. Show a simple pattern. Kids spell names or love messages. Adults can help younger kids.

Cupid's Aim Game

Mixed

Classic pin-the-tail style game with a cupid poster and paper arrows.

15 min4-25 playerssmallAges 3-12

Supplies Needed:

cupid posterpaper arrowsblindfoldtape
How to Play

Hang a large cupid poster on the wall. Blindfold each player, spin them, and let them try to pin the arrow on cupid's bow. Closest to the target wins.

Name That Love Song

Mixed

Play a clip of a famous love song — teams race to name the song and artist.

20 min4-40 playerssmallAges 10-80

Supplies Needed:

music speakersong playlistwhiteboardmarkers
How to Play

Prepare 15-20 love song clips (5-10 seconds each). Split into teams. Play each clip and award points for song title (1 point) and artist (1 point). Keep score on a whiteboard.

Love Cookie Decorating Station

Mixed

Decorate pre-baked heart-shaped cookies with icing and sprinkles.

30 min2-25 playersmediumAges 3-80

Supplies Needed:

heart cookiesicingsprinkleswax paper
How to Play

Bake heart-shaped sugar cookies ahead of time. Set out multiple colors of icing in squeeze bottles, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Provide wax paper and names tags so cookies can be identified.

Love Bug Freeze Dance

High Energy

Dance to love songs and freeze when the music stops — last one moving is out!

15 min4-40 playerslargeAges 3-80

Supplies Needed:

music speaker
How to Play

Create a playlist of upbeat love songs. Play music and let everyone dance. Randomly pause the music. Anyone still moving is out. Last dancer standing wins.

Love Snap Photo Booth

Mixed

Set up fun Valentine props for memorable party photos.

30 min1-50 playersmediumAges 2-80

Supplies Needed:

backdroppropscamera or phone
How to Play

Create a photo backdrop with red and pink streamers or a heart balloon arch. Set out props: oversized lips, heart glasses, cupid wings, love speech bubbles. Use a phone or instant camera.

Cupid's Hot Heart

Mixed

Pass a heart-shaped pillow around the circle while music plays — don't get caught holding it!

15 min5-25 playerssmallAges 3-14

Supplies Needed:

heart pillowmusic speaker
How to Play

Sit in a circle and pass a heart pillow while music plays. When music stops, the person holding the heart performs a Valentine dare (e.g., say something sweet about the person next to you).

Magic Love Potion Lab

Mixed

Mix colorful fruit juices and sparkling water to create personal "love potions."

20 min2-25 playersmediumAges 3-14

Supplies Needed:

juicessparkling watergrenadinecupsname tags
How to Play

Set out various fruit juices (cranberry, strawberry, grape), sparkling water, grenadine, and fun cups. Each guest creates their own potion recipe and names it. Vote on the best one.

Valentine Door Wreath

Mixed

Create a beautiful heart-themed wreath to hang on the door at home.

25 min2-20 playerssmallAges 4-14

Supplies Needed:

paper plate ringstissue paperglueribbon
How to Play

Provide paper plate rings (cut out centers), tissue paper in red/pink/white, glue, and ribbon. Guests scrunch tissue paper and glue around the ring. Add a ribbon hanger. Great take-home decoration.

💕 Pro Tip: Check what seasonal events are happening in your area the same weekend. A Valentine's Day party on the same day as the town festival, holiday parade, or farmers market can incorporate a free "field trip" as an activity.

💕

DIY Valentine's Day Party Decorations

15 decoration ideas • Est. $104-$220 total

Valentine's Day decorations get a head start because the season itself is the backdrop. Layer in seasonal elements — real pumpkins, spring flowers, summer fruit, winter branches — and you're 70% decorated before you hang a single banner.

🚪Entrance & Welcome(5)

Cupid's Balloon Bouquet

Cluster of heart-shaped balloons in red, pink, and white at the entrance.

Easy DIYMust-Have
$8-$1510 min setup

Sweetheart Entrance Curtain

Strings of paper hearts creating a curtain at the entrance doorway.

Medium DIY
$5-$1020 min setup

Heart & Love Balloon Arch

Arch of red, pink, and white balloons with heart shapes mixed in.

Medium DIY
$15-$3030 min setup

Love Lane Petal Path

Scattered silk rose petals creating a path from entrance to party area.

Easy DIYReusable
$5-$105 min setup

Valentine Door Wreath

Heart-shaped wreath with roses and ribbon for the front door.

Medium DIYReusable
$10-$2015 min setup

🎈Main Party Area(5)

Love Heart Garland

Felt or paper heart garland strung across the main party area.

Easy DIYReusableMust-Have
$6-$1210 min setup

Twinkling Love Lights

Heart-shaped LED string lights draped along walls or windows.

Easy DIYReusable
$8-$1510 min setup

Flying Cupid Wall Art

Paper cupid silhouettes attached to walls with arrows and hearts.

Easy DIYReusable
$3-$810 min setup

Love Window Art

Heart and cupid window clings for natural light decoration.

Buy ReadyReusable
$3-$82 min setup

XOXO Wall Art

Removable wall decals spelling "LOVE", "XOXO", and heart shapes.

Buy ReadyReusable
$5-$125 min setup

🍰Food & Cake Table(3)

Sweetheart Table Runner

Pink or red table runner with scattered rose petals and heart confetti.

Easy DIYReusableMust-Have
$8-$155 min setup

Table of Love Centerpieces

Mason jars wrapped in lace with pink flowers and heart picks.

Medium DIYReusable
$8-$2015 min setup

Conversation Heart Display

Clear jars filled with colorful conversation hearts as table decor.

Easy DIY
$5-$105 min setup

📸Photo Backdrop(1)

Love Snap Backdrop

Heart-themed photo backdrop with streamers and a "Be Mine" sign.

Medium DIYReusableMust-Have
$10-$2520 min setup

Ceiling & Hanging(1)

Twirling Love Hearts

Metallic hanging swirl decorations with heart cutouts from the ceiling.

Easy DIYReusable
$5-$1010 min setup

🌹 Pro Tip: Raid your own holiday decoration storage. That box of Halloween decor, Christmas lights, or spring garlands in the garage is free inventory. Repurposing what you already own saves $30-50 easily.

💕

Valentine's Day Party FAQs

Common questions answered

💕

Valentine's Day Party Shopping List & Supplies

12 items • Est. $70-$253 total • 8 essentials

Seasonal party supplies are everywhere right now, which means competition drives prices down. This Valentine's Day shopping list takes advantage of seasonal availability — stock up at $70-253 total while everything is on the shelves.

$70

Budget Min

$253

Budget Max

12

Total Items

8

Must-Haves

🎈Decorations

6 items • ~$35
Love Heart Balloon Bundle$8-15

Red, pink, and white heart-shaped latex and foil balloons.

Amazon, Party City, Dollar Tree
Must
Sweetheart Streamer Set$5-8

Crepe paper streamers in pink, red, and white for twisting and draping.

Party City, Dollar Tree, Walmart
Must
Be Mine Heart Garland$6-12

Felt or paper heart garland banner for walls and mantle.

Amazon, Target, Etsy
Must
Silk Rose Petal Scatter$5-10

Artificial silk rose petals for table scatter and aisle decoration.

Amazon, Dollar Tree, Michaels
Metallic Heart Confetti$3-6

Shiny metallic confetti hearts in red, pink, and gold.

Amazon, Party City, Dollar Tree
Twinkling Heart String Lights$8-15

Battery-powered heart-shaped fairy lights for ambiance.

Amazon, Target, IKEA

🍽️Tableware & Serving

2 items • ~$9
Hearts & Love Table Cover$3-6

Disposable tablecloth with heart pattern in red and pink.

Party City, Dollar Tree, Amazon
Must
Valentine Tableware Set$6-12

Heart-shaped or heart-printed plates and coordinating napkins.

Party City, Target, Amazon
Must

🛒Food & Ingredients

1 items • ~$5
Classic Conversation Hearts$5-10

Bags of conversation heart candies for games and snacking.

Target, Walmart, CVS
Must

📦Party Supplies

1 items • ~$5
Love Cookie Cutter Set$5-10

Set of heart-shaped cookie cutters in various sizes.

Amazon, Target, Michaels
Must

🎁Party Favors

1 items • ~$8
Sweetheart Favor Bags$8-15

Pre-filled Valentine treat bags with candy, stickers, and a small toy.

Amazon, Oriental Trading, Dollar Tree
Must

🎮Entertainment

1 items • ~$8
Love Snap Props Kit$8-14

Valentine-themed photo props: lips, hearts, arrows, love signs.

Amazon, Party City, Etsy

Where to Shop

Amazon

Best for bulk & themed items

Dollar Tree

Budget decorations & tableware

Party City

One-stop party shop

Target

Quality basics & snacks

💝 Pro Tip: Buy seasonal party supplies 2 weeks after the holiday — Target, Walmart, and Party City mark items down 50-75%. Stock up for next year's party at a fraction of the cost.

💕

Valentine's Day Party Planning Checklist & Timeline

14 tasks from 4 weeks out to party day

Seasonal parties should flow with the natural rhythm of the day. This Valentine's Day timeline matches the heartfelt energy of the season — early starts for summer, cozy afternoon timing for winter, golden hour for fall.

📅

4 Weeks Before

(5 tasks)

Set party date and time

Choose your Valentine's party date — consider Feb 14 or the closest weekend.

30 minsPlanningEssential

Create guest list

Decide how many guests to invite and collect their contact information.

30 minsPlanningEssential

Send Valentine party invitations

Send physical or digital invitations with the Valentine's theme, date, time, and location.

1 hourInvitationsEssential

Plan Valentine menu

Choose heart-themed food items, considering dietary restrictions and allergies.

45 minsFood & CakeEssential

Order heart-shaped cake or cupcakes

Order a Valentine-themed cake from a bakery or plan to bake heart-shaped treats.

30 minsFood & CakeEssential
📅

3 Weeks Before

(3 tasks)

Order Valentine decorations

Purchase heart balloons, garlands, streamers, and table decorations.

1 hourShoppingEssential

Plan Valentine activities and games

Choose 4-5 Valentine-themed games and activities for the party.

45 minsEntertainmentEssential

Buy Valentine party favors

Purchase or assemble heart treat bags, candy, and small gifts for guests.

45 minsShopping
📋

2 Weeks Before

(3 tasks)

Create Valentine playlist

Curate a playlist of love songs, upbeat Valentine hits, and fun dance songs.

30 minsEntertainment

Confirm RSVPs

Follow up with guests who haven't responded and finalize the headcount.

30 minsPlanningEssential

Buy craft supplies for card making

Get card stock, stickers, stamps, glitter, and envelopes for the card station.

30 minsShopping
🛒

1 Week Before

(3 tasks)

Prepare photo booth props

DIY or assemble Valentine photo booth props and test the backdrop area.

45 minsEntertainment

Prep Valentine cookie decorating

Bake and freeze heart-shaped sugar cookies; prepare multiple icing colors.

2 hoursFood & Cake

Buy groceries and drinks

Shop for all food ingredients, pink lemonade supplies, and snack items.

1 hourShoppingEssential

🩷 Pro Tip: Seasonal daylight matters. Summer parties can start at 4pm and still have 3+ hours of light. Winter parties should start by 2pm unless you're going for a "cozy evening" vibe with lights and candles.

💕

Valentine's Day Party Music & Playlist

15 songs • ~52 minutes of music

Seasonal music is the easiest playlist to build — Valentine's Day songs already exist and everyone knows them. This playlist layers seasonal classics with birthday party energy, peaking during activities and mellowing for cake.

👋Arrival & Welcome

Background music as guests arrive

Love Story

Taylor Swift

medium3:55

Can't Help Falling in Love

Elvis Presley

calm3:03

🎮Games & Activities

Upbeat songs for active play

Happy

Pharrell Williams

fun3:53

I Gotta Feeling

The Black Eyed Peas

energetic4:49

What Makes You Beautiful

One Direction

fun3:20

🎂Cake & Presents

Celebration time hits

Best Day of My Life

American Authors

fun3:14

Count on Me

Bruno Mars

medium3:17

💃Dance Party

High energy dance tracks

Shut Up and Dance

Walk the Moon

high3:18

Sugar

Maroon 5

energetic3:55

Dancing Queen

ABBA

high3:51

Shake It Off

Taylor Swift

energetic3:39

🎵Departure

Party music

A Thousand Years

Christina Perri

calm4:45

You've Got a Friend in Me

Randy Newman

calm2:02

🎵Food

Party music

L-O-V-E

Nat King Cole

calm2:38

You Are My Sunshine

Johnny Cash

calm2:07

💕 Pro Tip: Avoid "too on the nose" seasonal music — 2 hours of straight Christmas carols or Halloween sound effects gets old. Mix in 60% regular party music with 40% seasonal songs for the right balance.

💕

Valentine's Day Party Favor & Goodie Bag Ideas

1 goodie bag ideas • ~$96 for 12 guests

Seasonal favors practically choose themselves. These Valentine's Day favor ideas tie into the time of year — hot cocoa kits for winter, seed packets for spring, sunscreen + sunglasses for summer. Useful AND themed.

Sweetheart Favor Bags

$8/guest

Pre-filled Valentine treat bags with candy, stickers, and a small toy.

For 12 guests: ~$96Top Pick

Find at: Amazon, Oriental Trading, Dollar Tree

Classic Goodie Bag Formula

  • • 1 themed toy or trinket
  • • 1-2 pieces of candy
  • • 1 activity item (stickers, coloring page)
  • • Optional: bubble or play-doh

❤️ Pro Tip: Seasonal candy is always in stock and pre-themed. Heart candies for Valentine's, candy canes for Christmas, candy corn for Halloween — $0.25 per kid for something that feels intentionally chosen.

💕

Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt Clues

12 themed clues to hide around your venue

A Valentine's Day seasonal treasure hunt uses the environment as part of the game. Clues reference seasonal landmarks — the pile of leaves, the snow fort, the blooming garden — making the hunt feel organic to the time of year.

How to Run a Valentine's Day Treasure Hunt

  1. Print clues ahead of time (or read them aloud)
  2. Hide each clue at the location mentioned in the previous clue
  3. The first clue starts the adventure - give it directly to kids
  4. The final clue leads to the treasure (usually party favors or cake!)
📍
Clue #1Easy

the refrigerator

"Cupid's arrow flew so fast, it landed where cold things are kept at last!"

Hint: It keeps your food cold
Best for ages 3-12
📍
Clue #2Medium

the pantry

"This lovely puzzle takes some thought: where is the sweetest treat that can be bought? It's big, it's round, it has a door — and keeps your favorite snacks galore!"

Hint: Think of where sweets might be kept in the kitchen
Best for ages 6-14
📍
Clue #3Easy

the mailbox

"Love letters need to be mailed with care — check the box where letters go from here to there!"

Hint: Where mail goes
Best for ages 5-12
📍
Clue #4Easy

under a dining chair

"In a tale of love and light, look beneath where you sit just right — at the table where you eat each night!"

Hint: Under something at the dinner table
Best for ages 4-12
Create your party for full hunt
📍
Clue #5Easy

the coat closet

"Where coats and jackets hang in a row, there's a Valentine secret only you will know!"

Hint: Where you hang your coat
Best for ages 3-12
Create your party for full hunt
📍
Clue #6Easy

the entryway bench

"Roses are red, violets are blue, check where you sit to tie your shoe!"

Hint: Where you sit to put on shoes
Best for ages 4-12

Get Your Complete Treasure Hunt

Create your Valentine's Day party plan to get all 12 clues customized for your venue, plus a printable treasure map and story setup.

Create My Valentine's Day Party

🌹 Pro Tip: Use seasonal hiding spots that only exist right now. Clues under fallen leaves in autumn, inside snow forts in winter, behind blooming bushes in spring. The season creates unique hiding places you can't replicate.

Free Valentine's Day Party Planning Tools

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