Spend cuddly time with your family this Valentine's Day.

Angela Verges | Contributor

Christmas and New Year’s have passed, but having fun and spending time with your family doesn’t have to end. Valentine’s Day does not have to be solely reserved for couples or sweethearts. An article at ezinearticles.com suggests dating your kids this Valentine’s Day.

How will you include the kids in your Valentine’s Day plans? As parents we often get busy with work and other routine schedules. This is a great time to break away form your regular schedule. Below are some things you can do with the kids.

Prior to Valentine’s Day, have the kids make cards for elderly neighbors. They can even make lollipop cards for friends. Visit www.kidssoup.com for patterns and prints. If you are feeling really crafty, create coupons to exchange with each other. Coupons can be redeemed for free hugs, extra text messages, extra phone time and so forth.

Give your Valentine’s Day the feel of a party; decorate the house with red and pink balloons and use confetti hearts for your table. Get out the red tapered candles to add to your décor (kids enjoy candlelight too).

Once your decorations are complete, begin your day with a breakfast of heart shaped pancakes or French toast; Heart shaped cookie cutters work well. Top your meal with strawberries or use whipped cream to create a heart shaped topping.

Add surprise to your child’s lunch with a heart shaped sandwich. Use the same heart shaped cookie cutters from breakfast. Throw in a few candy kisses and a love note. For more special meal ideas visit www.amazingmoms.com/htm/valentines-family-fun.htm.

Close the evening out with a pink smoothie after dinner. Frozen yogurt and milk with berries are a simple combination that is easy for the kids to help prepare. Simply toss everything into the blender, pour into a glass and add a straw.

If your family likes games, make up your own “I Love You” Scrabble game. Put a scrabble tile with each family member’s name in a basket. Pass the basket around the circle, table or wherever you are seated. Each person pulls a letter and must say something nice about the person whose tile he draws (www.suite101.com/content/fun-family-valentines-day-games-and-activities-a93742).

As you wrap up the evening, settle down with a family movie. "Cinderella," "Beauty and the Beast" or "The Love Bug" (an old Disney movie) may be entertaining for your young audience.

No matter what you choose to do this Valentine’s Day the idea is to enjoy quality time with the family. Do you have a favorite family Valentine’s Day activity to share?

Angela Verges is a writer and mother of two. She can be reached at awritersdream41@yahoo.com.