Every year the Worcester Historical Museum celebrates Esther Howland and her valentine cards by encouraging kids in grades three through six to participate in their annual valentine card creating contest. While this contest is only for students in Worcester, Massachusetts, your class can create your own valentine making contest and come up with awards for each participant -- most frilly, most simple, most creative, most heart-y.

Make, decorate, or sign valentines for someone you don't know -- just as Esther Howland did, showing that valentines and love are for all. Your can give a valentine to someone you don't know -- preferably someone who might not otherwise be receiving valentines -- or your classroom might make surprise valentines for another classroom or another school, community group, senior home, or any group of any age that you think might welcome a message that they are cared about.

Please share images of the valentines you are sending and giving or of your valentines being received and they will be posted on the BE A VALENTINE page to inspire others to be kind, too.