Whether you love or hate Valentine’s Day, when it comes to your lessons, it’s probably always a relief! For once, you don’t have to think about the topic for the lesson. The only challenge now is to come up with some activities. But of course, we’ve got you covered!
First off, let’s start with the warmers!
In our shop, you can find a selection of warmers and fillers for all levels and groups. If some of your groups are really into Valentine’s celebrations, you can even use them to plan entire lessons.
And below, check out our 6 low prep activities for Valentine’s lessons.
#1 Valentine’s Day on a budget
Students work in groups. Each group has to come up with a plan for Valentine’s Day. They can do whatever they want. The only two rules are:
- it has to be fun
- it has to be cheap
They have to think about: food, entertainment and gifts. And of course, don’t forget about the overall atmosphere of love!
The group with a day that’s the cheapest and most fun, wins!
#2 Write a love letter
This is an activity for exam groups or any students who love writing.
The rules are simple: write a love letter!
If you want to make it more specific, give the students some prompts on who (or what) they’re writing to:
- their family members
- their partners
- their pets
- their job
- their dishwasher
- or any other person or item that they’re happy to have in their lives
#3 Valentine’s Day history
This is a great activity for students who don’t particularly like Valentine-themed lessons.
You can choose from two videos:
This one is serious and great for higher levels.
This one is more cheerful with colourful graphics and would work for lower and higher levels.
What can you do with them?
Before watching the video, ask the students what they know about the history of Valentine’s Day. Brainstorm some ideas and phrases.
And also:
- Prepare a list of useful vocabulary that’s in the videos and present it to the students before watching the video.
- Together discuss the meaning of all the words and phrases.
- Play the video.
- Ask some comprehension questions.
#4 Make a Valentine’s Day card
If your students like to get hands-on with language learning, this activity is for them!
Task: Make a Valentine’s Day card.
Materials: use anything you want.
#5 Famous couples
Before the lesson, cut out a few photos of famous people.
During the class, spread out or display all the photos. Students have to play matchmakers. Their task is to discuss which celebrities would make good couples and why.
#6 Cheesy pick-up lines
Before the lesson prepare a few cheesy pick up lines.
For example:
You’re so sweet, you’re giving me a toothache.
Even in zero gravity, I would still fall for you!
Hello, I’m a thief, and I’m here to steal your heart.
Do you believe in love at first sight or should I walk by again?
Are you a magnet? Because you sure are attracting me over here.
Do you like raisins? How do you feel about a date?
Excuse me, do you have the time? I just want to remember the exact minute I got a crush on you.
What can you do with them?
Ask your students to rate them on a cring-o-meter – which one is the cringiest?
Can they translate them into their native language? Do they still make sense?
Go over the language aspect – what’s the meaning behind them? Where do they come from?
Ask students to create a Valentine’s dialogue featuring as many of these pick-up lines as possible. Can it get any cringier?
#7 Will it Valentine?
The inspiration for this activity was this Mythical Morning video.
Students work in pairs. Each pair comes up with a list of 5 random items that you can get in a supermarket.
They swap their lists with another pair. Now their task is to look at the list of random items and explain why they would make great Valentine’s gifts.
Warmers & Fillers: Valentine’s Day is a collection of warmers and fillers on the topic of Valentine’s Day and love.
