Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to spend time together as a family & show your appreciation for each other. There are many ways to celebrate this holiday, some as simple as staying home & preparing a meal together! Whether your family is small or large, everyone can help create a fun family mealtime celebration. Here are some ideas for how to make that happen, including the perfect family recipes.
![](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Family-Cooking-1024x548.jpg)
How the kids can help
Getting the kids to help with dinnertime is a great way to get them excited about family mealtime. Here are some ideas for dinnertime tasks that are appropriate for different ages.
Ages 2-5
- Help find items at the grocery store
- Wash fruits and vegetables
- Carry unbreakable dishes, utensils, or napkins to the table
Ages 6-12
- Add items to the grocery list
- Set and clear the table
- Begin cooking simple items like rice or pasta
Ages 13-18
- Help plan meals and write grocery lists
- Prep foods like cutting vegetables or meats
- Learn to cook more difficult items like casseroles
![](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/shutterstock_280356083-1024x683.jpg)
Conversation Starters
Eating together as a family benefits the mental and physical health of all family members. It is a great opportunity to relax & catch up with family members. Here are some ideas for getting the conversation started at dinner this Valentine’s Day.
- If you could be a character from any book, who would you be and why?
- If you had superpowers what would they be? How would you use them to help people?
- Talk about two things you felt thankful for today.
- What is your favorite thing to do as a family?
- What’s one fun thing you hope to do in the next year?
For more conversation starters, visit: https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/conversation/
Recipes
Homemade Margherita Pizza is a delicious & fun recipe to make as a family! The best part is kneading and rolling out the dough. You can always swap out veggies for your family’s favorites.
![](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4773-RGB-RESIZED-1024x682.jpg)
If your family is craving a pasta dish, Italian Chicken Bruschetta is sure to become a new family favorite! Hearty, flavorful & ready in 30 minutes!
![Italian Chicken Bruschetta](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_3622-RGB-1024x683.jpg)
Roasted Steak Fajitas are perfect for a crowd! Serve in warm tortillas & let everyone add their favorite taco toppings!
![Plate of Roasted Steak Fajitas](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Roasted-Steak-Fajitas-WEBSITE-1024x512.jpg)
If you’re looking for burgers, Mini Baja Burgers are another way to let each person customize his/her meal! For a side with a twist, try Parmesan Zucchini Squash Fries!
![Mini Baja Burgers](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Mini-Baja-Burgers-WEBSITE-1024x512.jpg)
![Dish of Parmesan Zucchini Squash Fries](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Parmesan-Zucchini-Squash-Fries-WEBSITE-1024x512.jpg)
For dessert, try a DIY Healthy Dessert Platter with your choice of fruit, cheese, nuts & dips. Serving a colorful platter of fruit in the middle of the table is a great way to keep the conversation going after dinner ends. For more platter ideas, check out this post about making it your own: onieproject.org/diy-healthy-dessert-platter.
![DIY Healthy Dessert Platter](https://onieproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/IMG_9064-RGB-1024x683.jpg)
From everyone at ONIE, we wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!