Black History Month Valentine’s Day Activities | Meaningful & Fun Classroom Ideas

Valentine’s Day in the classroom is exciting, but it can also be a challenge to keep students engaged beyond candy and decorations. At the same time, February is also Black History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the achievements, voices, and resilience of Black historical figures and trailblazers. Instead of treating these two observances as separate, why not bring them together in a way that enhances both? That’s why I created these Printable Black History Month Valentines and Decor- combining history, appreciation, and fun into one meaningful classroom experience.

These printable valentines are a great way to celebrate both Black History Month and Valentine’s Day in a meaningful way—all while keeping things engaging, educational, and (thankfully) candy-free. You don’t have to ban candy to make Valentine’s Day more meaningful. But adding Black History Month valentines to the mix is an easy way to shift the focus from sugar overload to something more impactful.

Instead of students just exchanging cards with cartoon characters or generic messages, they’ll be sharing words of wisdom from historical trailblazers, giving each valentine a sense of meaning and inspiration.

Why They Work

• They’re still fun and festive! Students get to hand out and collect cool, colorful valentines just like they would with traditional ones.
• They encourage learning. Each card features a quote from an inspiring Black historical figure, introducing students to important voices they may not have heard before.
• They promote kindness and appreciation. Instead of just exchanging candy, students give out messages of inspiration and encouragement.
• They’re teacher-approved. No mess, no sugar crashes, no desk covered in little chocolate foil wrappers. Just a meaningful way to celebrate the holiday.

Pair It With a Black History Month Bulletin Board
Want to go even bigger? Match the valentines with my Black History Month + Valentine’s Day bulletin board set for a complete, meaningful classroom display. It makes for a great discussion piece and keeps the learning going beyond February 14th!

By combining Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, you give students the chance to celebrate love in its broadest, most powerful sense—love for justice, love for community, and love for learning.

Learn more about Black History Month and its significance from the National Museum of African American History & Culture.