When I first created this preschool movement game, we were stuck in cold weather waiting for our furnace to be fixed. Moving to this Valentine’s Day game kept us warm and having fun. Since I first shared this Valentine’s Day gross motor game teachers and room parents have used it for a fun indoor recess game, a Valentine’s Day party game for kids, and of course, preschool teachers have used it as a great circle time activity too. You can write anything on your hearts from numbers they need to identify, to physical tasks like we did, to something trickier for older kids. Customize this preschool movement game for your child or students and have fun.
Valentine’s Day Game for Preschool
- Gather your materials. I use foam hearts because they stand up well stepping and walking on, but paper would do in a pinch. Just don’t expect it to work more than once. You will also need a marker and some music you can pause easily.
- Write out different tasks for your child to do when they come to this heart – mine were mostly physical things: Jump on one foot, crab walk, 5 push-ups, break dance, etc.. I also included singing the ABCs and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.
- Lay the hearts out face down in a circle.
- Start the music and play. It’s just like musical chairs only when the music stops you do the task on the heart that you were standing on when you stopped. We had a blast! He preferred Bon Jovi to kids’ music so we were rockin’ out! Of course, you can use whatever music your little ones enjoy. Have fun with picking music together!
I would let them walk to the music longer than we did for the video, as we were trying to get a good snapshot for the post. After I put the camera down, we all played for another full round. Fun family time with this Valentine’s Day game!
Need more Valentine’s Day Activities for Preschool?
I’ve got so many here for you! Check out our Valentine’s Day Archive here!
Rebecca says
Such a cool idea!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Folded Heart Painting =-.
Kristi says
Fun idea!
.-= Kristi´s last blog ..Welcome! =-.
Bronwyn says
Just love this! Can’t wait to try this over the weekend.
BTW his breakdancing is just too adorable!
.-= Bronwyn´s last blog ..Winter Jam 2010 =-.
Ayn Colsh says
We have already finished our Valentine activities and are out of school until well after Valentine’s, but great idea! I think I’ll try it with shamrocks! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Alison says
Loving that you rocked out to Bon Jovi!
admin says
I tried a few kids songs and he was refusing to play. Popped on “Livin’ on A Prayer” and magically he was game. The power of hair bands.
Tarra says
I love this idea! I think we will have to do this next weekend!
Thanks for your idea
Lindsay says
Such a fun idea! We’ll try this tomorrow! We made your Olympic torches this morning and the kids LOVE them – they cannot wait to march around with them tonight during the Opening Ceremony. Thanks for the idea!
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Getting Ready for the Games =-.
JO says
What a super creative idea! LOVE the Bon Jovi! LOVE the reference to Legacy from SYTYCD! Hysterical! Terrific Ideas! I love when you post something new! Keep them coming! 🙂
Michelle says
We are doing this over the weekend! Great idea and I love the video :0)
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Love Bugs =-.
Brenna says
Love this idea! We aren’t snowed in, but it is really rainy! I think that will be a fun activity this weekend!
.-= Brenna´s last blog ..Giveaways!! =-.
Aprille says
Wow, such cute ideas! Does all this stuff just pop out of your head? Thanks for sharing as always!
admin says
You know, most of it really does just pop in. Some people have talent for writing or sports- mine seems to be brainstorming and adapting exisiting activities to meet my needs. I am glad you like it, we have really been having a blast with it.
Oh and yes we are huge SYTYCD fans and my son LOVED legacy he has no clue what it means to break dance but if I say ” Do your Legacy dance” he clues in.
gisele says
So very cute! I´ll try it with my kids!
Kim says
You are brilliant. The little man is adorable. I have to tell my son to “Break it down”. 😛
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Feed Me What Do You Love? =-.
Becky says
My son was making a new playlist when I read this, so I quickly made some hearts and he provided the music while I played this with my 2 boys. They loved it!
Sarah says
O is SO cute! I’ll have to show this to Q–he’s still asking to play with O. We need to have our playdate! Is he playing a trombone while he marches?
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Made By You! =-.
admin says
Yes Sarah we do! I just asked O and he said ” Oh yes I want a playdate, it’s been too long!” I agree.
He was playing the trombone 🙂
Abby says
Can you give tips on how to play this in a classroom with a group of 5 students? Would you have them all walk at the same time and do their activity when the music stops?
Amy says
We loved this idea and have played a few times already. Now we’re making foam circles and the tasks are goign to be related to the Winter Olymbic games!
admin says
Love it!
I adore it when something we do can be a base for even better ideas.
Bev Warsme says
A person continually create the best exciting articles. Therefore you always seem to consider bad/boring points as well as move these people into exciting/interesting items. I am the reader for a lifetime!
Toni says
Just came across your website last night. Had some felt hearts from a Valentine’s Day decoration laying around so we whipped this up this morning. We wrote activities on both sides of the hearts so that each time we play, it will be a little different. My daughter loved it and can’t wait to teach her new game to daddy when he gets home tonight. Thanks!
Barbara Allisen aka Mrs. A says
Love this and the variation of using circles as Olympic rings. I do this as a Q./A. game: what to bunnies love? hop, hop, hop. What do birds love? fly around, etc.
Susan Black aks Ms. Susie says
I work at Jumping Jack’s Pre-K/Daycare in Owens Cross Rds Alabama. I tried this game with my 4yr old class and we loved it!!!!!!!
Alison says
I love this! I’m trying to think of a way to customize it for a party with multiple kids playing at once. Any ideas?
La says
Great idea! And cutest video ever
Allison McDonald says
Thanks, have fun with it!
rachel says
when playing with a classroom, do they do the activity on their heart at the same time?
Allison McDonald says
Yes!
La says
Oops! Forgot to say I’ll be using this for my preschool music classes!
Sanjay Bundela says
Now we’re making foam circles and the tasks are goign to be related to the Winter Olymbic games!