A Very Crafty Valentine’s Day

Posted by Lauren Walz on Feb 4, 2013 in Crafting | 1 comment

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and, for those of us with little people in our lives, that usually means crafting. Whether you’re a novice who would like to go one step further than store-bought valentines this year, or a crafty maven ready to go whole-hog with felt hearts and flowers, there’s something out there for you. So, start your engines, crafters! Here’s some inspiration for you.

Printables

If you want to make your own Valentine’s cards but aren’t quite ready to go whole hog with construction paper and glitter glue, printables are a great way to go. There are lots of free and nearly-free printables available on the internet (just scour Pinterest and take your pick!), and some design-savvy crafter has already done most of the work for you. You can finish them off with your child’s help, and everyone has fun with a minimum of fuss. Here are a few of our favorites:

• “I Wheelie Like You” printable from Jolly Mom, to be finished off with a toy car
• Simple vintage printables from Hello Lucky
• “Have a Colorful Valentine’s Day” printable card from The Long Thread, with a melted-crayon heart center

Kid-Friendly Projects

Whether you have a toddler who needs lots of help or a school-age child with an artistic flair, one of these projects is bound to catch your fancy:

• Simple traced-hand valentines from Martha Stewart
• An adorable heart-shaped valentine that folds up into its own envelope
• Follow this tutorial from the Idea Room for a hand-print heart outlined with a poem or sweet message
• This yarn-decorated valentine from Toddler Approved is perfect for the younger set
• Trace your child’s hand on doubled-over construction paper to make a clever heart-shaped valentine (The Pinterest link is broken, but it’s such a simple and adorable idea we couldn’t resist!)
• Crayon stained-glass heart cards from Martha Stewart

Beyond Crafts and Into the Kitchen

Not all Valentine’s Day forays into the kitchen have to involve sugary sweets… but of course a little indulgence is perfectly acceptable. Check out these kid-friendly ideas for Valentine’s treats:

• Here’s a roundup of yummy Valentine’s recipes you can make with your kids, including heart-shaped calzones and grilled cheese
• Check out these peanut butter cookies with chocolate heart centers
• Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make festive pancakes, waffles or toast

But Wait, There’s More!

In case those ideas don’t quite satisfy your creativity, hop over and check out Little Inspiration’s list of 20 Valentine’s Day crafts, which includes a few more intricate projects. Real Simple has a great list of easy DIY Valentine’s Day crafts, including a tissue paper-flower wreath and decorative votives. Or, check out this awesome 3D heart made out of string and a balloon from Clever Housewife.

How’s that for “wow” factor? Happy crafting, and please share your favorite Valentine’s Day ideas in the comments! Are you planning to try any new projects this year?