08 Feb, 2011
Crafty Valentine’s Day card ideas for kids: a round up
Posted by andrea tomkins in: Easy ways to make kids happy|File under crafty
Did you know… one of my most favourite things in the whole world is a vintage Valentine’s Day card. I pink puffy heart love them. Here’s one I bought on Ebay some time ago:
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I remember pouring over those big paper books full of perforated cards and lickable stamps. Each card was different. It was quite a conundrum. Who would I give the BEST cards to? Who could I foist the little boring ones upon? It was A Big Deal.
Today, I think homemade Valentine’s Day cards are truly nicer than many of the storebought varieties out there. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen cute storebought ones, but many grocery-store variety cards really have nothing to do with Valentine’s Day at all. The Power Rangers wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day? What’s the point of that? It makes me a little sad, actually. Kids LOVE to make stuff, and this is a perfect opportunity to crank out something special with them. Consider it a family art project!
Here’s one we made in 2009:
Sidebar: I beg you, from one parent to another, don’t waste your money on dollar store pencils and incorporate them into your kid’s cards. We have dollar store pencils EVERYWHERE around here. I can build a bird cage out of dollar store pencils, because that’s about all that they’re good for… and I don’t want to build a bird cage out of dollar store pencils. From this day forward, dollar store pencils that arrive at Casa Fishbowl are going straight into the garbage. It sounds harsh, I know, but they drive me batty with their unsharpenableness. DON’T DO IT.
If you or your child wants is going to make cards this year, start as soon as you can. Like today.
- 1) Find an idea you both like
- 2) Buy the supplies (or better yet, work with what you have)
- 3) Make the cards in batches, assembly-line style. There’s nothing worse than staying up late – alone! – or with a crying kid trying to cut 30 paper doilies into 30 intricate heart shapes on February 13.
Here are a couple things we made in the past:
- Lollipop flowers (pictured above, includes a template)
- Lollipop butterflies (also includes a template)
They’re both pretty easy to assemble and customize – and very inexpensive to make! Some other ideas I like:
- This “Bee Mine” valentine idea from the Disney Family Fun website… although it might be a little too complex if you’re making them for 30 kids, why not make them for five or six BFFs?
- This Valentine’s Day paper puppet is super easy
- This Rocket Candy Card idea is hilarious. In fact, I’m going to urge the youngest to go this route.
- For a bit of classroom chaos, check out this printable/foldable paper airplane Valentine. (Who doesn’t like to instigate classroom chaos!!)
- I like these glowstick Valentine’s Day cards too… although I know my kids wouldn’t want to send that particular message to everyone in the class. (“You make my heart glow”) We’d have to think of something else. In our school the kids are required to send a card to everyone. Yours?
This is the easiest card ever:
- Cut out small rectangles or heart shapes out of red or pink construction paper and have your child stamp or draw or punch heart shapes on each one. Fold in half, sign, and voila, your card is complete.
Any other ideas for Valentine’s Day card crafts for the classroom? Do share!
