Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and hearts will abound. As a child, I remember cutting out so many hearts and decorating my parent’s refrigerator, because hearts were so easy to cut, and I loved the “trick” to making the perfect shaped heart. As a mom, I try to do a few fun crafts for each holiday with my boys. Here are 4 simple crafts you can do with your kids during this season of love, with supplies you probably already have at home.
Heart Puppet
What You Need:
- 1 Sheet of Red, Pink, or Purple Construction Paper
- Wiggly/Googly Eyes
- 1 Sheet of White Construction Paper
- Black Marker
- Popsicle Stick
- Glue
First, cut out a heart (red, purple, or pink construction paper), whatever size you’d like (my little guy wanted a rather large heart). Cut out 4 Strips of white paper, 2 shorter strips for the arms, and 2 longer strips for the legs. Fold all 4 strips of paper in accordion style. Next, attach the white paper to the heart to become the heart’s arms and legs. Then, glue googly/wiggly eyes onto the heart and draw a mouth with the black marker. If you want to get really creative, you can cut out hearts for hands and feet and glue them on.
LOVE Footprints
What You Need:
- Red Paint
- Red Marker
- Paint Brush
- White Construction Paper
This craft makes a great keepsake or gift, especially for a grandparent. Paint your child’s feet and stamp them onto the piece of paper in the shape of the letter “V”. I chose to do this in the bottom left corner to put the word love into the shape of a square, but it can also just be written in a line. I love the way this looks and it is just so cute to see those little feet.
Love You to Pieces
What you Need:
- White Construction Paper or Printable
- Marker
- Glue or Glue Stick
- Red, Purple, or Pink Tissue Paper
First, cut the tissue paper into small squares. Place glue inside of the heart and let your child attach the small tissue paper squares inside the heart. My 20-month-old was even able to take part in this craft. It was so fun to watch both of my boys doing this simple craft.
Heart Stamps
What You Need:
- Toilet Paper or Paper Towel Rolls
- Rubber Bands
- Paint (Pink, Purple, and Red are what we used)
- Construction Paper
This craft is great to make for a Valentine’s Day card. We will be using these as cards for my kids’ teachers. Using a rubber band, shape the end of the toilet paper or paper towel roll into a heart shape. Dip the heart-shaped side into the paint and stamp on onto the construction paper. My boys just stamped away. The next time we do this craft we might try and create balloons or a heart bouquet.
I’m sure there will be a few hearts cut out and stuck to our refrigerator this season just as I did as a child, and I can’t wait for it. I hope you and your kiddos enjoy these simple crafts as much as my boys and I did, and it gets you into the Valentine’s Day spirit.
