Its officially love week and its a very exciting week for me. I love Valentine's Day, and I love coming up with ways to show people I love especially my husband and kids how much they mean to me, and I much I love them! At our home, I usually prepare something small for them, dinner, or a small treat, love notes left around the house for my kids to find etc. Rather than focusing on the presents, I like to make them think of unique ways, often service related in which they can show love to others. It's not always an easy task because it all starts by teaching by example. Ultimately for them to be able to catch the love bug and have the motivation to serve and love others they have to be able to see me doing those things.  

I have compiled a list of easy, meaningful things they can do even from an early age. The idea of these activities it's not to tell them to do them, but rather these activities as ways in which you and your child can have a special moment doing something since for someone else. Its never too late to start them thinking in ways they can serve and love others. Little by little they will start wanting to do them on their own. 

25 Ways to encourage your kids to spread love around them

1. Do something nice for a sibling 
2. Record a video/text and send it to your grandparents 
3. Drop off goodies or a nice note to your neighbors 
4. Shovel a neighbor’s driveway, pull weeds or mow their yard.
5. Write a thank-you note to a teacher, or mentor that has made an impact
6. If age appropriate, offer to babysit for free  
7. Collect donations, in lieu of birthday gifts (might be a hard one, but with encouragement and a little bit of maturity it can be done)
8. Draw pictures or visit residents in nursing homes. 
9. Invite someone you don't know to play on the playground 
10.  Help mom clean your room 
11. Share a special toy with a friend 
12. Hold the door open for someone 
13. Share with your principal how special your teacher is 
14. Make thank-you cards for your librarian 
15. Donate kids’ craft kits to a local children’s hospital.
16. Make a no-sew fleece blanket for a child in need
17. Bring gently used board games and decks of cards to a local homeless shelter.
18. Stuff warm socks with snacks and fruit to pass out to people who are homeless.
19. Say hi to someone new 
20. Leave a note where a loved one will find it 
21. Pull your neighbor's trash can 
22. Bury "treasures at the park 
23. Help someone younger with their homework 
24. Give outgrown clothing to a smaller friend.
25. Let someone else go first 

What activities or traditions do you do with your children during this season? Share with us how you are teaching your little ones to share, and show love to everyone around them, including those that may not know very well.