Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! What are you giving your special Valentine?
Living in a Pinterest world, it can be intimidating to take on a new artsy project. My crafting supplies consist of a 12-pack of decorative paper edger scissors, colored paper, scotch tape, a glue stick, and sharpies.
Every single year I have sent my daughter to daycare (now preschool) with handmade valentines. What was supposed to be a challenge for myself has turned into an annual activity with my daughter, and now son. Below are my favorite Valentine’s Day cards that I have made in the past, and that anyone can make, even if you lack the artsy gene (like myself).
Will you โo-fish-allyโ be my Valentine?
Okay, I admit, I did get this from Pinterest; however, I toned it down to a much simpler version. This was a project that I pumped out in about an hour.
Items Needed
- Single serving packages of goldfish crackers
- Two sets of paper (I used card stock for a bottom layer in both pink and purple, and then red copy paper for the top layer)
- Decorative Scissors
- String
- Heart Hole Punch
Directions
- On your computer, create a document with the phrase โWill you o-fish-ally be my valentine?โ and your childโs name (if you’d like). I divided the paper into quarters (portrait orientation) and copied the phrase into each quarter. I added a heart shape around the phrase (clip art!) and hit print! *Note: I used 20 pt. Harrington font, which fit nicely. You can play around with fonts to find your style.
- Cut around the words so that the phrase is in a heart shape.
- Cut a larger decorative heart out on the thicker paper using decorative scissors.
- Glue the red, phrase cut-out onto the larger, decorative heart.
- Hole punch the top of the heart cut out, as well as the goldfish wrapper, being careful to only punch through the top of the bag with the seal.
- Secure the valentine to the goldfish packaging with string.
I Only Have Eyes for You
What I love about these is that the focus isnโt around food, which can be important with many allergies and regulations now in schools. Itโs a great alternative valentine for all kiddos.
Items Needed
- Plastic kids sunglasses in a party pack (I got a pack of 22 from Party City)
- Card Stock (I used white)
- Stickers/Stamps (optional)
Directions
- Create a document on your computer with a 1×2 table in landscape orientation. Divide the two sections to be the same size (5×5) and keep the table lines visible to make cutting each section easier.
- Write โI ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU!โ at the top and โHAPPY VALENTINEโS DAY!โ on the bottom. Play around with colors, fonts, etc.
- Print!
- Cut the paper out into squares.
- Punch two holes an inch away from each other in the middle of the valentine
- Put the sunglasses through the holes, so that the lenses are on the front.
- Add stickers, stamps, etc.
Of course, we can’t forget about the good, old fashioned, paper valentines, these will always hold a special place in my heart and I love that kids still hand these out, but I hope that this has inspired you to get creative this Valentineโs Day. No matter how crafty you are, these are great beginner ideas to create something I little different for your kids to bring to school.
Cute ideas! For a smaller gathering with friends for a Valentine’s playdate last year, my friend made kool-aid playdough for all of the kids. It’s red, and smells good too.
Me? I’m getting the Target minion Valentines for my son’s preschool class this year. ๐
These are so cute! I was totally lame this year and bought the ones in the Target $3 bin. Next year, we make them together. Thanks for the cute ideas!