Cynics refer to Valentine’s Day as a “greeting card holiday,” citing only commercialism at its worst. I prefer to think of it as a reminder to slow down busy life schedules, and say “I love you,” at least one extra time. This sentiment became more important once I had kids. Celebrating Valentine’s Day with young children doesn’t require extra large assorted chocolate boxes, or two dozen roses. Do-it-yourself Valentine’s Day projects are an easy, fun way to spend some extra time with your little love bug, while making moments and keepsakes to cherish forever.
Lollypop Butterfly
Cut out two construction paper hearts for wings. Rotate one heart 90 degrees clockwise, and the other 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Overlap the pointed bottoms so the rounded tops face left and right. Glue in place. Color and decorate with stickers, glitter, etc. Tape a lollypop under the wings and adorn the candy with googly-eyes. Share with someone special.
Bird feeders
Use your favorite backward bird feeder recipe, or find an easy recipe online. Have your little helper press bird seed into heart-shaped cookie cutters. When the feeders are ready, decorate your backyard, and spend the day snuggled with blankets by a window, reading storybooks, and bird-watching.
Finger flower bouquet
Flowers are nice, but fingerprints are truly unique. Coat your child’s palm and wrist with green finger paint, press onto a sheet of paper. Paste tissue-paper heart “petals” onto each fingertip, and a ribbon around the “stems” (wrist-print). Decorate with crayons and glitter for a bouquet that will last forever.
Paper heart blizzard
Cut a bunch of paper hearts, then fold over and snip out small shapes as if making paper snowflakes. Use these doily-style hearts to decorate your walls for a fun, festive party, or paste onto a construction sheet for a lovely heart collage!
XOXO piñata
Pull-string piñatas are a great alternative to stick-swinging madness, especially for younger children. Kids will enjoy making and destroying this project! Cut two holes in the bottom of a paper bag. Loop a long ribbon through, and tie a double-knot. Repeat. Decorate the bag with paper-hearts, etc., and fill with Hershey Hugs & Kisses. Fold and tape the bag shut, and attach a hanging string. Kids take turns pulling the ribbons until the bottom of the bag tears open.
Enjoy this holiday with your kids. There is never a wrong reason to say “I love you.”
