Here are six at-home date night ideas that are easy to prepare for, easy on the wallet and can all be done in the comfort of your own home.

1. Picnic and a Flick

Yes, it may still be chilly outside, but who says you can't put on a light-hearted romantic movie and still have a picnic? Lay out a blanket and add some battery operated candles as well as some quick to prepare finger foods. A cheese and charcuterie board is easy to throw together beforehand and won't leave a pile of dishes in the sink. For dessert, set out a plate of berries dipped in chocolate (try blackberries or raspberries for a twist on the classic). Finally, set out a chilled bottle of something sparkling. Try French sparkling pink lemonade for a non-alcoholic option.

2. Painting and Pizza

Whip up a homemade pizza together. If pressed for time, many grocery stores sell pizza dough ready to go so all you need to do is add your favorite gourmet toppings. After your pizza dinner, get out the watercolors and paint together. Create a masterpiece for each other or try and paint your own version of a favorite classic. See who can paint a better "Mona Lisa" and reward the winner with a kiss.

3. Past, Present, and Future

Snuggle up together with a cup of hot cocoa and look through old photo books or pictures from the beginning of your relationship to the present. It's fun to see how much has changed and reflect together on fun times you've had. Plan your next big (or little) adventure together before calling it a night.

4. First Date Spinoff

Recreate your first date, but at home! You might have to be really creative here. Was it dinner and a movie? Make the meal you had and watch the movie you attended. Did you go on a hike or do something outdoors? Make s'mores inside or outside and watch the stars. The activity may be a stretch, but it will surely bring back memories of when you first met.

5. Cook Something New Together

Adorn your favorite aprons, put on some music, and get cooking. Try your hand -together - at cooking up something fun like a batch of homemade pasta, take turns stirring a pot of homemade risotto, or fill and crimp potstickers. Then sit down together and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal without the tip.

6. Game Table For Two

Set up a game table with your favorite two-player games and a fun snack to share. Put on a playlist of songs that remind you of each other and bring out your competitive side while enjoying a night of games with just the two of you.

Just because Valentine's Day comes in the middle of the week doesn't mean you can't have a romantic evening with your sweetheart. Try out one of these ideas and maybe make a new holiday tradition.

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For me, one of the fun parts of being a mom is establishing traditions with my kids. One of the traditions that I am carrying on from my childhood is celebrating all the small holidays. I even celebrated President's Day as a child, complete with a cherry pie and posters of George Washington displayed in the dining room.

I love Valentine's Day because it's a day where we get to show love for our loved ones. Here are a few Valentine's Day ideas that I have come up with that are simple, involve little prep work and will make kids feel extra special.

1. Make a cupid's beakfast

I have done this the last couple years and everyone has really enjoyed it. I always keep it simple, as waking up at 5 a.m. doesn't sound like a happy Valentine's Day to me. Some of my favorite quick and easy things I have done include:

• Egg-in-a-hole (use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape out of the middle of a piece of toast, and insert the egg) and a side of yogurt with crushed up, lightly sweetened raspberries swirled in.

• Berry studded pancakes; extra credit for heart-shaped ones.

• A pink or red smoothie. For a quick, pink, kid-friendly fruit and veggie smoothie, combine the following in a blender: 1 cup almond milk, 1 banana, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 2 carrots, 2 small mandarin oranges (like Cuties). Blend until smooth and sweeten with honey, if needed.

• Simply grab a heart-shaped cookie cutter and use it to cut a heart out of toast and top it with jam.

2. Flowers

My husband has given our daughter an inexpensive, colorful bouquet of flowers the last couple years, and she has absolutely adored it. She keeps them in a vase in her room until they are on their last leg. Another option is a small potted flower that could be kept inside while it's still cold and then planted outside when Spring decides to make its entrance. A small gesture could potentially be turned into a lesson in watering plants and gardening.

3. Write them a Letter

Spend a few minutes writing your kids a letter telling them how much you love them. It will probably mean more to them than you think.

4. Have a low-stress party

For toddlers and preschool-aged kids, I love picking out one simple craft, one simple treat and one simple game, and calling it a party. I did this for Halloween and didn't really even plan it until the day of, and guess what? It was a hit.

5. Spend quality time with them

Play their favorite game with them, color with them, read to them, play dress-up with them — it doesn't really matter the activity as long as you are present.

6. Be their secret admirer

A few days before Valentine's Day, hide little notes (lunch boxes are a good spot for this), put a treat or some dollar store toys under their pillow, make homemade coupons and just have fun with it. My daughter loves surprises, so she would get a kick out of this.

7. Serve with them

The best way to feel loved is to show kindness to others. Identify someone who needs to be cheered up, and with your kids, whip up some homemade valentines or a batch of decorated cookies (this recipe from Cooking Classy is my favorite). Not only will you brighten someone else's day, but you will have spent quality time with your kids and they will be able to feel the joy of serving others.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on simple savvy mom. It has been republished here with permission.

The post 7 simple ways to show love to your kids on Valentine’s Day appeared first on FamilyToday.