Fun and Simple DIY Valentines!

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 “o-fish-ally” 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

1. On your computer, create a document with the phrase “Will you o-fish-ally be my valentine?” and your child’s 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.
2. Cut around the words so that the phrase is in a heart shape.
3. Cut a larger decorative heart out on the thicker paper using decorative scissors.
4. Glue the red, phrase cut-out onto the larger, decorative heart.
5. 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.
6. Secure the valentine to the goldfish packaging with string.

I Only Have Eyes for You

What I love about these is that the focus isn’t around food, which can be important with many allergies and regulations now in schools. It’s 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

1. 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.
2. Write “I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU!” at the top and “HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!” on the bottom. Play around with colors, fonts, etc.
3. Print!
4. Cut the paper out into squares.
5. Punch two holes an inch away from each other in the middle of the valentine
6. Put the sunglasses through the holes, so that the lenses are on the front.
7. 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 Valentine’s 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.

Do you make homemade valentines? Please share, we’d love to see!