The school Natalie went to for kindergarten and first grade did not do a Valentine’s Day party or allow the kids to bring in Valentine’s for each other. It isn’t that they have something against the day… they actually do not do parties for any holiday. Their philosophy is that they want the kids to look think of school and learning as fun. Not as something you stop in order to have fun.
So this year, I’m kind of looking forward to Valentine’s day. I know this might seem a little early, but in case you see an idea you like I want to give you plenty of lead time to get your supplies and do these ideas with your kids. Here are a few things I found on the internet for homemade Valentine ideas. Some deal with food; others with crafts. There are two that are my favorite, but I’ll leave you guessing.
If you click on the picture it will take you to the source where I found it….
1. Hershey Kiss Gnomes
These sweet little gnomes are easy to make and easy to transport. Make one per person or more depending on how much time you have on your hands. One thing I like about this is that Ainsley and Natalie can both pretty much handle making these with little guidance. They’re super easy and super cute.
2. Lollipop Valentines Pictures
These Valentine’s have been floating around the web for some time. Take a picture of your kid with their arm held out; slit holes above and below their hand, and slip a lollipop inside. They’re already personalized so you don’t even have to sign them! How easy is that?
3. Cupid’s Arrow
Personalize these by having your child write “To” and “From” on the backs before completing. My girls would go gaga over the feathers. You could even go one step further and use a #2 pencil for the Valentine to keep.
4. Heart-shaped Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Nothing says “Be Mine” quite like a heart-shaped piece of cake. Whoopie Pies aren’t difficult to make. Wrap in clear cellophane with a Valentine ribbon with a “To” and “From” label and you’ve got yourself a delicious gift sure to please.
5. Valentine Love Bugs
Probably one of the cutest treats I’ve seen in a long time, but also one of the more labor-intensive ideas I found are these darling love bug marshmallows. Seriously, who wouldn’t love getting this on Valentine’s Day. Again wrap in cellophane with a personalized tag and you’re good to go.
6. Easy Candy Valentine
I seriously think these Pop Rocks are one of the easier projects I found. If you scrap at all you may have all the tools on hand to punch the music notes and scallop the scrap paper. I know I do. By handwriting the message, it becomes even easier. (especially if you have your kids write them!)
7. Valentine Pencil Toppers
If your school, like ours, is encouraging healthy lifestyles, you can opt to give a Valentine that is neither candy or sweet treat. These cute and easy pencil toppers are as fun to look at as they are to make.
8. Shaped Rice Krispie Treats
These adorable Rice Krispie treats are festive and fun. The best thing is that they are wheat, nut, and dairy free. They are one of the ‘safer’ snacks to bring to school if there are multiple allergies in the class. Thankfully, neither of the girls have to worry this year.
9. Heart Crayons
I saw these crayon Valentine’s on Pinterest. Unfortunately there was no source behind the pin. Fortunately, the picture tells the whole story. Take your broken, recycled crayons – or several of those boxes you bought for a quarter at the back-to-school sales – and cut them up, melt them down, and stick to a homemade Valentine.
10. Felt Hearts
Felt hearts can be personalized with fabric markers or tagged by safety pinning a “To” and “From” label to them. They’re awfully cute and a fun activity to let kids try their hands at sewing.
There are tons more projects on the internet if none of these strike your fancy. You have a month to complete them. Now GO!
(c) 2016 Leighann Marquiss
Comments (5)
We did #2 – the lollipop picture last year and I’ve done the pencil toppers (foam hearts and pipe cleaners) too many times to count!
I’m so glad to have two in middle school now and be only down to 2 kids doing this each year. It’s fun but if I don’t plan ahead, then the last minute dash to do something robs the fun. thanks for the early post to get me thinking about what options I’m going to give Rebekah and Jonathan.
Jennifer
love the little gnomes. i’d rather to the hand picture for a birthday party favor – it’s so adorable! leave it to you to give us the yummy options too!
amy<><
Definitely going to make the crayon hearts for my son’s pre-school class!
Thank you so much for blogging about this, Valentine Ideas. You were thinking exactly what I had needed to do, but didn’t get to do it yet as my Lil Ladies distract me. Imagine that.. LOL!! (My Lil Ladies are ages 13, 9, 9 & EDD April 2012) I fell in love with the hershey kiss men, and showed them to my Lil Ladies. We plan to make them as an extra hand out with Valentine Cards for school! I love following your blog, your family is so sweet!! I grew up on the other side of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia side, and currently reside in Maryland! I hope you check out my blog, and we can get to be blog buddies!
Brigitte
good idea in valentineday
http://astore.amazon.com/valentine12-20