Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity for families to strengthen bonds, show appreciation for one another, and exhibit Athlos Performance Character traits such as social intelligence, creativity, and integrity.
Here are a few ways you can help your family develop these traits at home:
![Valentines Day - Heart Shaped Food](https://athlosstcloud.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1-heart-shaped-food-150x150.png)
Make heart-shaped food together for dinner.
Popular food items that allow everyone to participate are pretzels, pancakes, fruit, and homemade personal heart-shaped pizzas. Studies have shown that children who bake in the kitchen with their parent are healthier, learn cooking basics, and develop a more complex sense of taste.
![Valentines Day - Deliver Valentines](https://athlosstcloud.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2-valentines-150x150.png)
Make and deliver valentines for others in the community.
Have your family handmake a batch of valentine cards and goodies, then deliver them to a nursing home, local shelter, a neighbor, or teacher at school.
![Valentines Day - Date Night](https://athlosstcloud.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/3-family-date-night-150x150.png)
Have a family valentine date at home.
These evenings are often most fun for younger children when they help plan it. Common activities include candle-lit dinners, family games, movies, etc.
![Valentines Day - Game Night](https://athlosstcloud.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/4-game-night-150x150.png)
Host a family game night!
Turn off technology and have a traditional game night with cards, boardgames, or something related you know your family would enjoy. These games don’t have to be educational in nature; research shows that cards, boardgames, and others can help children develop critical thinking, strategy, and social skills.
![Valentines Day - Secret Valentine](https://athlosstcloud.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/5-secret-valentine-150x150.png)
Become a secret valentine.
Help your family think of someone they enjoy being around and to secretly perform an act of service for this individual. This could be a family-member, friend, neighbor, etc.