Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to add a little fun and creativity to your classroom while still focusing on essential skills. Here are three engaging, educational, and festive activities for CNA and PCT students that you can implement in your Nurse Aide Program this February.
1. Spread the Love Rose Game
Game Concept
This team-based activity uses a rose to engage students in a fast-paced review of nurse aide topics. Each team member answers a question in turn, competing for points.
Materials Needed
- A real or artificial rose (one for each team).
- A set of review questions (multiple-choice, true/false, or scenario-based).
- A timer or stopwatch.
- Mini white boards (check out my blog on using mini white boards for tips: 5 Ways to Use Mini White Boards in Your CNA or PCT Training Program).
- Dry erase markers.
- A score tracker (whiteboard, poster, or paper).
Game Setup
- Divide students into teams of 3-5 members.
- Arrange seating so the rose can be easily passed between team members.
- Assign a scorekeeper.
- Explain the rules and how points will be earned.
How to Play
- Pass the Rose: The game begins with one team member holding the rose.
- Question Time: Pose a question to the team member holding the rose.
- The student writes their answer on a mini white board within 30 seconds.
- At the end of the time, they hold up their answer for review.
- Scoring: If the answer is correct (without help from team members), the team earns a point, and the rose is passed to the next member. If the answer is incorrect, the rose is still passed, but no points are awarded.
- Winning: The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.
This activity fosters teamwork, reinforces key concepts, and keeps students engaged with a fun Valentine’s Day twist!
2. The Vital Signs Heart Wreath Craftivity
Objective
Students will create a Valentine’s Day-themed wreath to review and reinforce their knowledge of vital signs
Materials Needed
- Printable heart templates (variety of sizes).
- Cardstock or construction paper (red, pink, and white).
- Scissors, glue sticks, or tape.
- Ribbon or string (optional, for hanging the wreath).
- Markers, pens, or crayons.
- Stickers, glitter, or Valentine’s-themed embellishments (optional).
- A circular base (e.g., cardstock circle or a sturdy paper plate with the center cut out).
Instructions
Preparation:
- Provide each student with pre-cut hearts or heart templates and a circular base for their wreath.
- Share a list of vital signs topics to guide their work, such as:
- Normal ranges (e.g., temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure).
- Factors affecting vital signs.
- Techniques for accurate measurement.
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Filling the Hearts:
- Students write one vital signs fact on each heart. Examples:
- “Normal adult pulse: 60-100 bpm.”
- “Temperature can be taken orally, rectally, axillary, tympanic, or temporal.”
- “Always ensure the blood pressure cuff is the correct size for the patient/resident.”
- Encourage neatness and creativity by allowing students to decorate the hearts with markers, stickers, or drawings.
Building the Wreath:
- Students arrange and glue their hearts onto the circular base, layering them for a decorative effect.
- Optional: Add ribbon or string for hanging.
Reflection and Sharing:
- Once completed, each student shares 1-2 facts from their wreath with the class.
- Use the shared facts to lead a class discussion or quiz.
Use for Classroom Decor:
Hang the wreaths on a classroom wall or bulletin board with the title:
“Our Hearts Beat with Knowledge: Vital Signs Edition.”
3. "Box of Chocolates" Valentine’s Day Common Abbreviations Matching Game
Overview
Make learning medical abbreviations fun and festive with this interactive Valentine’s Day matching game. It’s perfect for CNA and PCT students to reinforce essential terminology in a creative way.
Game Details
Click on the picture to check out this printable activity already made for you:
How It Works
- Students cut along the zig-zag lines to separate the abbreviations from their definitions.
- Mix up the pieces and challenge students to correctly match each abbreviation with its definition.
- Use the activity:
- Individually.
- In pairs.
- As part of a group competition for added engagement.
- Students can save their game pieces in a baggie for individual study practice sessions
Conclusion
These Valentine’s Day-themed lessons bring a festive flair to your classroom while reinforcing critical nurse aide skills. From engaging team games to creative crafts and interactive matching activities, these ideas will keep your students motivated and excited to learn. Which activity will you try first? Let me know in the comments!
Searching for more printable pre-made activities for your classroom? Click on the picture below to shop!
