If you’re the kind of mama who wants meaningful family moments—but you also want them to be simple, cost-effective, and not another giant project—I want to share our favorite Valentine’s tradition.
We call it our “What I Like About You” paper chain, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a paper chain countdown that ends on Valentine’s Day, where each link has a written message about something you like about the person receiving it.
Our family likes to do a one-week countdown. Not a 14-day marathon. Not a month-long craft. Just one week of connection that feels doable and still really special.
And here’s the best part: there’s no right or wrong here. Only sweet, sentimental, confidence-building memories and Valentine’s tradition for your kids.
What It Is (In One Minute)
You pick how many days you want your countdown to last (we do 7 days).
Then you make that many paper chain links.
On each link, you write one thing you like about the person.
Each day, they remove one link and read it.
That’s it. That’s the tradition.
What You Need
- Construction paper (or any paper you have)
- Tape or staples
- A pen or marker
- Scissors (optional)
This is truly a “use what you have” tradition.
How to Set It Up
1. Decide your countdown length.
We do one week, but you can do 3 days, 5 days, 10 days—whatever fits your family. Just make sure the chain ends on Valentine’s Day.
2. Cut strips of paper.
No measuring necessary. Roughly 1–2 inches wide and long enough to make a loop.
3. Write one message per strip.
4. Loop and connect.
Tape or staple each strip into a loop, linking it through the previous one.
5. Hang it somewhere visible.
Fridge, doorway, bedroom wall, staircase rail—anywhere your family will actually interact with it.
What to Write on the Links (Keep It Concrete)
This is where the magic is—and where you don’t want to overthink it.
Each link is one sentence (or even a short phrase) that says something you like about the person.
For younger kids especially, I recommend keeping your notes concrete and specific to meet them developmentally.
Instead of writing something vague like: “You are kind.”
Make it concrete: “You are kind—like when you gave your sister the blue cup even though you wanted it.”
Instead of: “You are helpful.”
Try: “You are helpful—like when you put your shoes away without me asking.”
Instead of: “You are brave.”
Try: “You are brave—like when you tried the new food even though you weren’t sure you’d like it.”
Easy sentence starters (so you’re not staring at a blank strip)
- “I like how you ____.”
- “I love that you ____.”
- “I noticed you ____.”
- “Thank you for ____.”
- “You make me smile when ____.”
- “I’m proud of you for ____.”
Pro tip: include everyday moments, not just big accomplishments. The tiny things are often what make kids feel the most seen.
How to Do This as a Family
You’ve got options, depending on your season.
Option 1: A chain for each person
Each family member gets their own chain, and you contribute notes to each one.
Option 2: Assign each family member a person
If you don’t want everyone writing for everyone, assign each person one person to write for. You can draw names if you want, or just assign them quickly.
Option 3: Parents write the chains
This works especially well when kids are younger. You can still let them help assemble the chain if they want to be involved.
Option 4: Sibling chains
Older siblings can write notes for younger siblings (and younger kids can dictate notes for you to write down).
Again: no right or wrong. The goal is connection, not perfection.
Age Tips
Toddlers & Preschoolers
- Keep the countdown shorter if needed (3–7 days is great)
- Parent writes the notes
- Concrete examples work best
- Let them help with the chain-building (looping and taping feels very important to them)
Elementary Kids
- Let them write or dictate
- Encourage “like when you…” examples
- Remind them they only need one sentence
Older Kids & Teens
- Keep it genuine and not overly cheesy
- Give them freedom to write their own style
- Consider a more private spot to hang it (bedroom door, inside closet door, etc.)
Make It Even Easier (Because Life)
- Batch write all 7 links at once after bedtime.
- Or write 2–3 links at a time while dinner cooks.
- Keep a running note in your phone called “Things I love about my kids” and pull from it when you write.
- If you miss a day? Double up, shorten the chain, or move on. This tradition is supposed to feel light, not heavy.
Optional Add-Ons
Not necessary, but fun:
- One “favorite memory” link
- One “thank you for…” link
- One “I’m proud of you for…” link
- A final Valentine’s Day link that says something like: “You are so loved—today and always.”
You can also save the links in an envelope or jar if your kids like keeping sentimental things.
The Whole Point
This Valentine’s tradition costs almost nothing, takes very little time, and gives your kids something they crave more than candy: to be seen, known, and appreciated.
A one-week “What I Like About You” paper chain is simple enough to actually do—and meaningful enough to become one of those core memories your kids remember.
So grab the paper. Grab the tape. Grab a pen.
And don’t overthink it, friend. You can use this to create your family’s own valentine’s tradition!
Because love doesn’t have to be complicated to be deep.
If you’d like other Valentine’s craft ideas for kids, you may want to check out this blog post too!
