Hey Shelby,

I TOTALLY agree with you on the chocolate issue with kids!! LOL  Btw, have you checked out our Valentines thread:  Valentines Ideas...post 'em here! ??

 

Also, what about making PB&J sandwiches (or ANY sandwhich for that matter!) & cut them with the Kid's  Cookie Cutter from the Kid's Cookie Making Set?? For dessert.... remember there's a -shaped cake stencil that you can use on premade cupcakes that they can sprinkle red sugar crystals on top, or if unfrosted, can use powdered sugar from the Flour/Sugar Shaker.

 

Just some quick thoughts from the top of my head for now,

 

Shelby, here are more ideas I just found on the Net for ya.  Though not all are applicable to a playgroup setting, I found them quite fun, so I included them all!! Enjoy!! ~ Marian

PS  I found these on a neat lil forum group called: www.MainStreetMom.com , under some playgroup threads: Main Street Mom Discussion Forums - Valentine's Day.

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Valentine's Day Menu for Kids of All Ages

by Christy Camburn


Make this Valentine's Day memorable for kids young and old. Surprise your littlest Valentines or your entire family with these easy to make meals and treats on Valentine's Day. Enjoy!

BREAKFAST

Heart Shaped Pink Pancakes

Just add red food coloring to your regular pancake batter and pour mixture from a squeeze bottle to make heart or pour into a metal heart shaped cooking cutter directly on to your griddle. Variations include adding white chocolate chips, strawberries or both to the batter. Top with whip cream for a delicious breakfast surprise. Serve with fresh strawberries and strawberry flavored milk.

Other easy breakfast ideas include:

Strawberry Cream of Wheat or Oatmeal Topped with Cool Whip and red sprinkles served with fresh berries.

Strawberry Waffles

Whether you make these from scratch or out of the freezer, use your imagination. You can add a little extra special Valentine's Day touch simply with strawberries and whipped cream. Mmmmm

LUNCH

Valentine Roll-Ups

Ingredients:
Flour Tortillas
strawberry cream cheese
thin sliced lunch meat (honey ham is best)
finely shredded Monterey jack cheese
Lettuce (optional)

This is an easy treat to make. Simply add one layer of each ingredient to the tortilla, roll up and slice. Enjoy!

Another easy Valentine's Day Lunch idea is a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut out with a heart shaped cookie cutter.

DINNER

Heart Shaped Homemade Pizza

Ingredients:
Pizza or biscuit dough (sold in tubes the refrigerator section)
Pizza, spaghetti sauce
mozzarella cheese
your favorite toppings

Shape your dough into a heart shape, add sauce, cheese and toppings and bake.

DESSERT

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Ingredients:
2 dozen large strawberries with stems
12-oz bag of white or milk chocolate chips
Two dozen large strawberries (cleaned with stems)

In a microwave on the defrost setting or ten percent power, melt one 12-oz. bag of chocolate chips (white or milk chocolate). Stir well every minute or so until completely smooth. Dip strawberries into the chocolate by holding the stems. Cover about 3/4 of each berry and let excess chocolate drip off. (If you want to add miniature chocolate chips or candies as decoration, add them immediately after dipping) Place the strawberries on waxed paper in the refrigerator to allow chocolate to set. Additionally you may want to melt a contrasting color chocolate chip and drizzle diagonally onto the already made and set chocolate covered strawberries for an added touch of elegance. Refrigerate and serve the same day they are made for best results.

TREATS

Valentine Rice Crispy Pops

Ingredients:
1/2 cups Butter
Red food coloring
10 cups Crispy rice cereal
9 cups miniature marshmallows
popsicle sticks
Candy Hearts with messages
12 oz bag of miniature white chocolate chips (optional)

Melt butter and marshmallows and stir until smooth adding small amounts of red food coloring until the desired shade is apparent. In a large bowl combine marshmallow mixture and rice cereal. While warm roll mixture into several balls with buttered hands, shape each into a heart shape, insert popsicle stick at bottom and press on candy hearts. Refrigerate.

Optional: Dip one corner of each pop into melted white chocolate chips, place on wax paper until set. Wrap each pop in red cellophane or fold top sandwich baggies and tie with a pink ribbon to serve as Valentine treats to your child's class.

Thanks for all the great ideas maybe I can do two things! 

 

I made up a batch of the Cool & Creamy Chocolate Fondue (or whatever the heck it's called) from All the Best and I think that will work out pretty good and I can put fruit in the NEW CHILLZANNE!  with that in the center and I won't have to worry about hot melted chocolate burn or mess.  (Won't help with the hyper 3 year old's thing but snack is the last thing before we all go home so everyone is on their own!  LOL)

 

Still have 2 weeks to plan so I'll check out the Valentine Ideas thread yet and if anyone has any more suggestions, I'm open!

 

Thanks again!

Shelby

 

 

How about making pink heart cookies with the cookie press?  I am doing this for my daughters daycare.  I also got some little clear plastic bags with hearts on them from Wal-mart that I am going to put cookies in.

Eww!! Let's try this again without all that annoying html coding!!! Sorry, about that....

 

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