Valentine's Day isn't just for couples—it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate love with the whole family! This February 14th, why not create special memories with your children while also being mindful of energy use? At UGI Energy Services, we believe that showing love for your family and the planet can go hand-in-hand. Here are some fun, energy-conscious activities that will make this Valentine's Day memorable for parents and kids alike. 

Bake Heart-Shaped Treats Together (Energy-Efficiently!)

Nothing says love like homemade goodies, and baking with your children is a wonderful way to spend quality time together. To make your Valentine's Day baking more energy-efficient, batch your baking by preparing multiple treats at once to maximize oven use. Preheat only when necessary—many recipes can go into a cold oven. Use glass or ceramic baking dishes, which retain heat better than metal pans, allowing you to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees.

Try making sugar cookies in heart shapes, brownies cut with heart cookie cutters, or rice crispy treats molded in heart-shaped pans. The bonus? Your home will be filled with delicious aromas, and you'll create sweet memories that last long after the treats are gone.

Create DIY Valentine Cards with Natural Light

Skip the store-bought cards and spend an afternoon crafting homemade valentines with your kids. Set up your crafting station near a window to take advantage of natural daylight instead of turning on overhead lights. Not only does this save energy, but natural light is also better for detailed work and easier on everyone's eyes.

Gather construction paper, markers, stickers, glitter, and any other craft supplies you have on hand. Encourage your children to make cards for family members, friends, teachers, or even neighbors. This activity teaches thoughtfulness, creativity, and the value of handmade gifts—all while keeping your energy use minimal.

Host an Indoor Picnic by Candlelight

Transform your living room into a cozy picnic spot for a special Valentine's dinner. Lay out a blanket, pack a basket with finger foods, and light some battery-operated LED candles for ambiance. LED candles use a fraction of the energy of traditional lighting and are much safer with children around.

Make it extra special by playing soft music from a tablet or phone rather than a full sound system, which uses considerably more electricity. Let the kids help plan the menu and set up the "picnic area." This low-energy activity creates a memorable atmosphere and gives everyone a break from the usual dinner table routine.

Plan a Daytime Nature Scavenger Hunt

Take advantage of daylight hours by organizing an outdoor Valentine's Day scavenger hunt. Create a list of "love-themed" items for kids to find in your yard or local park: heart-shaped rocks, pink or red flowers, something that makes you think of someone you love, or even signs of wildlife caring for their young.

This zero-energy activity gets everyone moving, breathing fresh air, and appreciating nature. Plus, it's a great way to teach children about the natural world and how animals express care for their families. When you return home, your house won't have been using energy for heating or cooling an empty space.

Movie Marathon with Energy-Smart Viewing

If the weather isn't cooperating, plan a Valentine's Day movie marathon featuring family-friendly films about love and friendship. To make it energy-efficient, use a laptop or tablet instead of your large-screen TV—smaller screens use significantly less electricity. Gather everyone on the couch under blankets so you can lower the thermostat a few degrees without sacrificing comfort.

Pop some popcorn on the stovetop (using natural gas is more efficient than microwave popping), make some hot chocolate, and enjoy classics the whole family will love. These cozy moments together are what Valentine's Day memories are made of.

Cook a Special Breakfast Together

Start Valentine's Day on a sweet note by making a special breakfast as a family. Heart-shaped pancakes, French toast, or waffles are always a hit with kids. To be energy-conscious, cook on your stovetop using natural gas rather than an electric griddle—natural gas is typically more efficient and gives you better temperature control.

If you do use your oven for baking, cook multiple dishes at once. Perhaps bake heart-shaped muffins while also preparing a breakfast casserole. This maximizes the energy you're using and gives you more time to spend together rather than standing over the stove.

Plant Seeds of Love (and Energy Awareness)

February is the perfect time to start planning your spring garden. Spend Valentine's Day with your children planting seeds indoors that you'll transplant outside when the weather warms. Use windowsills for natural sunlight instead of grow lights, and discuss how plants capture and convert solar energy through photosynthesis.

Choose herbs, vegetables, or flowers that your family will enjoy growing together throughout the spring and summer. This activity teaches patience, responsibility, and the important connection between energy from the sun and the food we eat. Plus, growing your own produce reduces the energy needed for commercial agriculture and transportation.

Create a Family Love Book

Dedicate Valentine's Day afternoon to creating a family "love book" together during daylight hours to avoid using artificial lighting. Have each family member contribute pages about what they love about each other, favorite family memories, or things they're grateful for.

Use photos you already have printed, or draw pictures instead of printing new ones (saving the energy required for printing). This meaningful project requires no electricity and creates a keepsake your family will treasure for years. It's a perfect reminder that the best gifts don't come from stores and don't require energy to enjoy.

Dance Party with Minimal Energy Use

Kids love to dance, so why not throw a Valentine's Day dance party? Use a smartphone or small Bluetooth speaker instead of a full sound system—it uses far less energy while still providing plenty of volume for a living room dance session.

Create a playlist ahead of time to avoid constantly streaming and searching for new songs, which uses more data and energy. Teach your children some simple dance moves, play freeze dance, or have a family dance-off. This active, energy-light activity gets everyone moving and laughing together.

Showing Love for Your Family and the Environment

Valentine's Day is about celebrating the love we have for the people in our lives. By incorporating energy-conscious choices into your family activities, you're also modeling environmental responsibility for your children. These small decisions add up to meaningful energy savings over time, lower utility bills, and a reduced environmental footprint—showing love for future generations too.

At UGI Energy Services, we're committed to providing reliable, efficient energy solutions to families and businesses throughout our footprint. Whether you're heating your home for a cozy Valentine's Day celebration or powering your kitchen for festive baking, we're here to support your family's energy needs.

This Valentine's Day, take the opportunity to create lasting memories with your children through simple, meaningful activities that don't require excessive energy consumption. After all, the most valuable gift you can give is your time and attention—and those are completely renewable resources!

Looking for more ways to make your home more energy-efficient year-round? Visit www.ugies.com to explore energy solutions that keep your family or business comfortable while managing costs. Our team of energy experts is ready to help you find the right natural gas, electricity, or renewable energy options for you.

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at UGI Energy Services!