For the Love of Books!
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, February is the perfect time to plan a "For the Love of Books!" Family Reading Night at your school.
We’ve rounded up 14 ideas to add some Valentine’s-theme fun to a "For the Love of Books!" reading event. Get started by downloading our free Family Reading Night planning kit—it has everything you need to organize and run your event, including Valentine's-theme "Save the Date!" graphics to share on your school's Facebook page. Just a pick a date (from the calendar, that is!) and start planning!
1. Choose books that are about love, friendship, and kindness.
2. Hold an on-site book drive to collect "gently loved" books. Donate them (along with handmade Valentine’s cards) to a local children’s hospital.
via Pinterest user Cheryl Crosby
3. For those books that are too worn out to donate, use the pages to create magnets.
4. Yes, you can make hot cocoa for a crowd in a slow cooker. Pink hot cocoa? Even better!
via Real Housemoms
5. Raffle off a book lover’s basket (after all, February 14 is International Book Giving Day!).
via First Grade Glitter and Giggles
6. Kids can make these fun, take-home bookmarks using (free!) pink paint chips from the paint store.
7. Valentine’s Day meets Dr. Seuss with these sweet red and white snacks.
8. This “Blind Date With a Book” activity is a fun way to show it’s what’s inside that counts.
via Edublogs
9. Get kids up and moving with a game of musical hearts. The winner scores a new book to love!
10. Kids will go gaga for these pink prepackaged love bug fruit cup snacks.
11. A game of conversation heart bingo is fun for early readers and older bookworms alike.
12. Pair a (cheesy) love story with these snowmen cheese sticks.
via Pinterest user Eve Hathaway
13. Set up a simple photo booth for kids to pose with their most beloved books.
via Pinterest user Jen Howard Small
14. Families won’t know about your event unless you tell them! Get “For the Love of Books” social media graphics and more in PTO Today’s free Family Reading Night kit.
via PTO Today School Family Nights
And if you can't schedule your Family Reading Night event for February, don't fret—there's always Read Across America Day on March 2! Download our free Family Reading Night kit to get started.
Originally published in 2016 and updated regularly.
