Valentine’s Day Activity for Kids: Cube Puzzles With Positive Affirmations

ℹ️ The article is from TheBrainyMommy.com and was written by The Brainy Mommy.

How do you like to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you exchange gifts, share a sweet treat, or do a special activity with your kids? 

A few years ago, I came across something called the five love languages. This is the idea that people express and experience love in five different ways: doing nice or helpful things for another person, spending quality time together, giving gifts, touching, and providing words of affirmation. 

I’ve been reflecting that, as a parent, I tend to express love to my child in my preferred love language. However, each child has their own preference for how they receive love and also benefits from having love communicated to them in multiple ways. So I’ve been trying to express my admiration and appreciation for my son more intentionally, and hoping that he internalizes these positive messages and grows up viewing himself the same way that I view him. 

This activity was inspired by some of these words of affirmation that I hope all children internalize not just on Valentine’s Day but every day.

Valentine’s Cube Puzzle

Overview

Make the cubes and arrange them to reveal six special messages.

Materials

  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Valentine’s Cube Puzzle printable

Skills

  • Fine-motor skills
  • Spatial awareness
  • Math skills – 2D and 3D geometry, net diagrams, shapes
  • Self-reflection, self-esteem, growth mindset

Modify or extend the activity

  • Think about other qualities you love in each other and in yourselves. Write them out, read them to each other, and display them around your home.
  • Depending on the age of your child, they may need help with cutting and assembling the cube nets.
  • Talk about the different parts of the net diagram: solid lines for cutting, dotted lines for folding, squares that will become the exposed faces of the cube, and trapezoid tabs that will be hidden in the final 3D shape.
“I am capable.”

More positive affirmations for kids

  • I am strong
  • I am brave
  • I am a problem solver
  • I am helpful
  • I care about others
  • I am curious
  • I try new things
  • I have a positive attitude
  • I like myself the way I am
  • I am loved

What about “I am smart”? I want children to believe that they can grow their intelligence and ability through hard work, so I try to avoid language that makes it seem like being “smart” is something that they either are or are not. Messages like “I try my best even when things are hard” and “mistakes help me grow” can help develop this growth mindset.

No matter what your love language is, I hope your Valentine’s Day is surrounded by gratitude, joy, and things that bring you pleasure. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Source: TheBrainyMommy.com

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