As February 14th gets nearer, it’s easy to resort to boxes of Sweet Hearts and chocolates to have your children give to their teachers and classmates as valentines. Here are some cute (and clever) ideas that are fun, practical, and will keep your children from being overloaded with sugar! Your fellow parents will thank you!
For Teachers and Classmates
Give something cute and practical to your child’s teachers and classmates this year. Check out these three classroom approved valentine ideas:
1. The “You Rule” Valentine
For this scholastically themed gift, all you’ll need is some rulers, red craft paper, and a printer. Check out this mom’s fun blog post to download a copy of this ruler template for easier assembly of the project (http://www.relocatedliving.com/diy-you-rule-valentine/). Once you’ve printed out the template on red construction paper, cut slits on either side of the words, and slide the ruler through! Add some stickers for extra sparkle if you can.
2. The Bookmark Valentine
Go to your local hardware store, like Lowe’s or Home Depot, and snatch up some Valentine’s inspired paint swatches. Get a fun heart-shaped hole punch, some pink ribbon, and make a night of putting together bookmarks with your little ones. Have them give them to their English classmates, where they’re sure to get some good use!
3. The “Stuck on You” Valentine
Another cute but practical valentine is this glue stick inspired one. All you need is some brightly colored glue sticks, some white card stock to print this template onto (http://www.relocatedliving.com/diy-stuck-on-you-class-valentine/), and some Valentines-inspired washi tape. Just print, tape, and you’re done! This would make the perfect gift for an art class.
And for that Someone Special…
Here are some adorable valentines ideas for those you love the most:
Using odds and ends you have at the house, help the kids make some fun 3-dimensional valentines for special family members or best friends. It’s sure to be a valentine they’ll remember and cherish!
Fun Valentine Crafts
With Valentine’s Day falling on a Friday this year, take the opportunity to make the weekend fun and family-focused with these creative, colorful crafts:
1. Kool-Aid Playdough
There’s nothing more fun than making hearts out of squishy playdough. With this easy to follow recipe, you’ll be able to make homemade playdough that’s safe for even your youngest to play with since it’s edible and colored with unsweetened Kool-Aid!
All you’ll need is:
-1 cup flour
-1 Tbsp vegetable oil
-1 package unsweetened Kool-Aid (get various colors and make a few batches)
-¼ cup salt
-2 Tbsp cream of tartar
-1 cup water
Mix flour, salt, cream of tartar and Kool-Aid in a medium saucepan. Add water and oil. Stir over medium heat 3-5 minutes. When mixture forms a ball in pan remove. Knead until smooth. Put in plastic bag and refrigerate. (http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/2011/02/friday-craft-day-valentine-playdough.html)
Once the playdough has chilled, your children can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes or draw in a rolled-out piece of dough with a toothpick. It will give hours of creative fun that can involve the whole family!
2. Edible Finger-Painting
If your children are still little and playdough seems like too much, try this fun finger-painting project. You’ll need a blank canvas (available at many dollar stores), food coloring, masking tape, and an old bed sheet or big piece of plastic you don’t mind getting messy.
Follow this easy finger paint recipe:
Then tape up your canvas with a word or pattern:
Let you’re little one have at it! Make sure they cover the whole surface so that the word will show up well:
Once the paint is dry, remove the tape. Now you have a fun piece of artwork to hang! Be sure to date it
(http://deborahgilbert42.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/capris-valentine-craft/)
