VALENTINE STORY BOOK

  ♥ Cut out heart shaped paper to have each child finish the sentence "Love is_________."
  ♥ Kids illustrate this at the top of the paper.
  ♥ Bind all of the pages into a book. Parents love reading these!

__________________

VALENTINE MARBLE PAINTING

♥ Use a heart candy box bottom; cut paper to fit inside the box. OR....cut paper into the shape of a heart. Put the 'heart shaped paper' into a box
 not much bigger than the paper.

♥ Dip marbles into pink and red paint. Drop the marbles into the box and have children twist and turn the box. ---You can also do this using the traditional method of box painting. Put a small plop of paint in each corner of the box. Place something 'round (such as a marble/golf ball) and roll it around until the desired effect is achieved.

Optional: Sprinkle glitter over wet paint...pretty when complete... 

______________

VALENTINE GIFT SOAP

You'll need one bar of Ivory soap; 1/4 cup water; 2 drops of food coloring; and a good kitchen grater and essential oils if wanted.

  ♥ Have youth finely grate the soap into a big bowl.
  ♥ Add water. 
  ♥ Shape the soap into balls and dry overnight.
  ♥ Wrap in netting and tie up with a pretty ribbon.
 
If you want your soaps scented, you can add a few drops of essential oil or soap scent. Most craft stores carry this. I read that you can also pack soap mixture into cookie cutters-and then dry overnight---but I've never done this.

____________

VALENTINE 'PLAY DOUGH' PIN

 

Materials:
Store bought Play Dough
Heart shape cookie cutter
Pin backs
Hot Glue or Strong Glue
Sand Paper

This project is actually quite simple. Believe or not, the heart shape is 'plain-old store bought playdough' that has had colors mixed. (This naturally happens  as children play with it and then put it away--just make sure it's white, pink, purple,and red play dough!)
1. Roll out dough
2. Cut shapes with cookie cutter. Finished pin from 'top to bottom point' is 1 1/4 inches long. Larger cookie-cutters would make  a pin too 'heavy'. Place shapes on wire rack to dry and harden.
3. When dry, sand any rough edges.
4. The heart may be sealed with clear nail polish or a protective coating of a clear surface finish. Repeat as necessary to achieve the level of desired gloss.
5. Glue on pin backing. (Image by KidActivities.net)

Note: A few pinches of glitter was added into the play dough for one of the pins. This part is optional.

___________ 

'BAND -AID' VALENTINE CARDS

♥ Kids will get a kick out of these silly valentines. Cut out medium sized red hearts. Write "I'm Stuck on You" on each heart.
♥ Set out band aids and have children stick a band aid on each valentine!

___________

 

 

  'BLOTTO ART' HEART CARD~ I ♥ U

Materials:
 Paper
 Tempera paint
 Paintbrushes
 Containers for water Materials:
 Paper
 Tempera paint
 Paintbrushes
Containers for water

1. Fold paper in half.
2. Paint half a heart on one side of the paper.
3. Close the paper and blot. (That's the 'blotto art')
4. Repeat the process if necessary (outlining the heart) until the paper is full of color. 

EXTENSION IDEA: Turn the 'blotto ar't into cards! Put out a variey of supplies and challenge the children's creativity. As shown in this sample, 'R' made a 'stamp' out of a valentine eraser (see the above 'tooth pick in the heart eraser shape) and made heart designs on the cover after dipping the stamp into tempera paint.

On the inside of the card--a google-eye is glued to the upper left corner (with added eye lashes). It is followed by the 'blotto heart" and then a 'U'. (I love you!) 'R' completed the card by spraying a fine mist of  hair spray (Aqua-net)  onto the card and sprinkleded glitter. This kept the glitter on the card.

A 'glue glitter' design was added across the blotto heart. (Image by KidActivities.net)

_________

SPARKLING HEARTS
Cut heart shapes out of card-stock or construction paper. Paint with shades of red and pink.
Sprinkle salt on the hearts while paint is still wet.
Hearts will sparkle when dry.

 

_________________

 

Make some VALENTINE YARN DOLLS! Visit the Yarn Doll page for instructions...

 

_________________

 

VALENTINE COLLAGE

1. Start with a large sheet of paper or construction paper.
2. Take old magazines and the advertisements from papers. Look for anything Valentine's Day related, such as hearts, flowers, and candies.
3. Have child create a Valentine Collage with these magazine cutouts. Use markers, crayons and stickers to further decorate it.
4. Hang the finished collages for a Valentine's Day display.

______________

 HEART RUBBINGS

 

Materials: Heart-shaped paper doilies or sandpaper, Scissors, White paper, Crayon

1. Cut out a heart shape from the sandpaper or use the heart-shaped doily.
2. Tape the heart to the table, with the tape on the back side of the heart.
3. Place a piece of white paper over the heart and rub a crayon (with the wrapper removed) sideways over the shape.

NOTE: KidActivities used a large doily heart. It's difficult to see in the image, but all the delicate elements showed very nicely on the rubbing. (Image by KidActivities.net)

_____________

THE VALENTINE GIVING BAG

♥ Invite children to brainstorm special things they can do for the recipient of their gift----such as-give a hug, tell a funny joke, sing a song, take out the garbage, vacuum a room, put away the dishes, etc.

♥ Write their responses on 3"X6" strips of paper. Help the children wrap the strips tightly around a pencil to create scrolls.

♥ Decorate a plain paper bag with festive Valentine craft items, drawings, stickers and glitter glue.
 
♥ After the bag is dry-- put the scrolls inside the bag. Fold down the top of the bag-punch two holes and thread ribbon through the holes. Tie and create a bow.
From Nov. /Dec. Scholastic Instructor-page 39

_________________________

VALENTINE SHAVING CREAM ART

You Need: Non-menthol shaving cream, Red food coloring, Paintbrush,
White paper, Smock or old shirts.

1. Add a drop of red food coloring to a baseball-sized pile of shaving cream.
2. Mix this with a paint brush. Wear cover over clothing as the food coloring will stain clothes and hands.
3. Paint with the shaving cream on white paper.

_____________

 

VALENTINE BUTTERFLIES...

Materials:
TP tube or paper towel tube cut to desired height (Paint the tubes before decorating)
Paper heart doilies or construction paper hearts
Google eyes (for butterfly #2 )- black marker for simple version)
Pipe Cleaner
Pom-poms
Decorations as desired

Kid Activities believes that children's projects are best when they are open-ended. For this activity a variety of supplies were put out. (Crafters had a visual sample-but were told to create their own version.) Two samples are shown here...

1. Both 'Valentine Butterflies' are similar but 'R' added a head and double wings. The wings have been cut out from the center of Valentine Doilies-however-construction paper hearts can also be used. The wings are glued over each other onto the back of the paper tube.
2. The pom-pom head sits on top of the tube and a full length 'pipe cleaner antenna' fold into the tube. (It's size and thickness holds it in place) The mouth and nose are made from  'bits' cut out of foam. Small 'stick on' foam hearts decorate the wings.

The more simple version for a 'younger child' uses one set of wings. In place of a pom-pom head--eyes and mouth are drawn on with a black permanent marker. (Images by KidActivities.net)

_______________

FELT HEART PILLOWS

Need: Two 8" squares of red or pink felt
8" cardboard heart templates to use as pattern
Pencil
Scissors
Safety pin
Glue
Fabric paint
Polyester fiberfill...

1. Use the cardboard heart template to trace two hearts onto the felt. Cut out hearts and place one on top of the other.
2. Put a safety pin through the middle of the hearts to hold them in place while gluing.
3. Glue the two pieces of felt together along the edge leaving a 3" opening.
4. Use fabric paint to add a child's name to the top of each pillow; let dry.
5. Stuff the heart with fiberfill and glue pillow shut.

_________________

VALENTINE WREATH

Materials: Construction paper, Scissors, Paper plates, Glue, Yarn or ribbon.
1. Cut out  different sized hearts from red, purple and pink paper; you'll need many for each wreath.
2. Cut the middle out of a paper plate and glue the hearts all around the plate.
3. Make a bow with some yarn or ribbon--or tie some string to the back and hang. Photo by Miss Susan-Kansas City Public Library

__________________

LOVE BUGS...

Need: Clip-on clothes pins, red paint, pink construction paper, black paper.
 
1. Have children color their clothes pin red.
2. Pre-cut small pink construction paper hearts and have kids draw faces on them
3. Glue black paper antennae on the heart faces
4. Next glue the heart faces on the top "clip-end" part of the clothespin.

Give children two larger pink paper heart shapes to decorate with crayons, markers, glitter, etc.
Have them then glue two of the hearts together to make "wings" from their clothespin body.
The heart points will be touching each other on the inside and the fullness of hearts will be on the "wing ends".

________________ 

 STAINED GLASS HEARTS

Make stained glass hearts by placing red, pink and white crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper.
Cover the top with newspaper and press a warm (lowest setting) iron to melt the crayon chips. Allow to cool completely.

Using cardboard, tag board, or empty cereal boxes, make heart shape templates for the children to trace.  Tape these over the waxed paper and trace the templates. Cut out the shape--hole-punch--attach string, ribbon or fish line! This wonderful example is from Skip to my Lou!  Be sure to make a bunch!

 _______________

VALENTINE CUPCAKE PAPER FLOWERS

Materials needed: Cupcake papers, pipe cleaners, green construction paper

Take a cupcake paper and pinch the bottom of it.
Take a pipe cleaner and wrap it around the pinched area.
Cut some leaves out of green paper and add them to the pipe cleaner.
 
Put some play dough in a baby food jar and have the children place
the flowers in the jar (like in a vase) 
When the play dough dries flowers should stand nicely.
You can also decorate some tissue paper to cover the outside of the jar.

_______________

JIGSAW PUZZLE HEART

 

Materials :
22 pieces of an old jigsaw puzzle
Red acrylic paint
Tacky glue
Modge Podge glue & sealer, glossy finish 
Sequins, red and gold
Small pearl beads
Ribbon for bow
Paintbrush
Fishing line 
 
1.  Paint the jigsaw puzzle pieces red and let them dry.  Painting both sides is optional.  If you want to hang the heart in a window, it would be best to paint both sides.

2.  Lay them out in a heart shape.  When laying out the shape, place one piece under the next overlapping the top piece each time.

3.  With tacky glue, glue the pieces to one another and let dry.

4.  After the heart has dried, put a coat of Modge Podge all over it and let dry.  This will make the heart very shiny.

5.  Glue sequins and pearls all around to decorate.  Let them dry thoroughly.

6.  Tie on a bow with ribbon as shown in the sample. Source: Ms. Brenda-Kansas City Library

___________________

SHARING KISSES GIFT

1. Take a small terra cotta pot; have children sponge paint with red and white paint.
2. When dry add Hershey kisses.
3. Make and glue a large red construction paper heart to a Tongue depressor size Popsicle stick.
4. Put a message on it and then insert it in the center of kisses.
5. If it's a gift--wrap it with red or pink cellophane and add a pretty bow just below the heart.

 ___________

HEART ART!

 

Make some heart shaped templates. These can be used to trace in whole and parts to make some wonderful art such as this! Sample from a student of Shannon Stewart--former art teacher at Stetson Hills School in Phoenix

___________

 

  Have any post Christmas candy canes? Hot glue two candy canes together at the tips. They make a perfectly shaped heart!

VALENTINE CANDY CANES ...

Put out construction paper, paper doilies, the candy canes, markers, ribbons, etc. Next, challenge the children  to use their imagination in creating cards!  If you have small photos of the children, you could glue these in the center of the hearts. This card has been made by Ms. Jane at the Kansas City Public Library. 

_________

CHALK AND SALT VALENTINE CARDS

Need: Salt, Sidewalk Chalk, Clear glue, Colored paper, Markers

♥ Put salt in small separate containers (one for each color)
♥ Rub the individual, different colors of chalk into each salt container to get the desired shades.
♥ Have children write their messages on the cards before they decorate them.
♥ Next, have children make designs on the paper by first making designs with glue on the cards; they then put the colored chalk or sand over the glue designs.
♥ Dry for half a day.

___________

VALENTINE SPAGHETTI ART
 
1. Cook spaghetti noodles, drain and cool.
2. Fill a gallon Ziplock bag one quarter of the way with water.
3. Add red food coloring to the water.
4. Add cooked spaghetti and mix around in the Ziplock bag until noodles change color. Drain.
5. Children can take one noodle at a time, dip it in glue and place it on a piece of paper in the shape of a heart.Submitted by Cassie/Michigan

________________

EASY TO MAKE LOLLIPOP ROSES
 
Materials:
Wrapped heart shaped lollipops/suckers
Green chenille stems/pipe cleaners
Scissors

1. Starting at the top of the sucker stick, tightly wrap a chenille stem in a coil around it. 
2. Cut off remaining pieces of chenille- about 3 inches.
3. Twist the small piece of the chenille around the stem where you want the flower leaves to be.
4. Shape the leaves and twist to secure.
5. If you want to add a name tape or note, cut a piece of paper and make a hole with a hole punch.
6. Secure the note onto the smaller piece of chenille before twisting into the leaf shape
_________

MAKE A HEART PUZZLE

Draw a very large heart out of cardboard or card stock paper. Laminate it and cut into pieces to put back together as a puzzle. Save pieces in  plastic baggie marked with the title of the heart.

KidActivities likes to add small magnetic 'strips' to the back of each puzzle piece. This makes is easier for the children to put and keep it together. Small magnetic wipe off boards and refrigerators work well for this... 

____________
YOU'VE GOT MAIL! (Submitted by Tasha/California)

Create a 'group' mailbox...
♥ Starting around mid-January, have children begin to write letters to each other in the classroom or program. (The staff also has a mailbox.)
♥ Students then Mail their letters. On Valentine's Day, students mail each other their Valentine's as well.

TIP: To make your mailboxes- you can use shoeboxes, coffee cans, tissue boxes, paper bags, cereal boxes --  anything!  The kids can then decorate them up with paint, glitter, pompoms, doilies, lace, felt, wrapping paper and anything else that is available! (Credit: Getty Images/Stock Photo)  

_____________________

Have a "MAKE A VALENTINE HEART" by tearing paper contest! Craft and Game in one!

♥ Have each participant hold a piece of valentine colored construction paper in your hands--behind their back.
♥ They tear the paper into a heart shape without looking at what they are doing.
 
♥ Who's created the most "heart-looking" heart shape!?

____________

Check out the VALENTINE JOKES PAGE...Fun as jokes--but also wonderful for making cards! Put the 'Question' on the card cover...and the 'Answer' on the inside. Illustrate and decorate as each joke indicates!

_________

DOILY CROWNS (For younger children)
♥ Give each child a heart doily.
♥ Have children decorate them with markers or heart stickers.
♥ Next glue the doily in the center of a 2"x 20" strip of red paper.

♥ Wrap each child's strip around his/her head and tape it in place to make a crown.
_______________

WRAPPED CANDY NECKLACE...

Materials: Plastic wrap, Individually wrapped candies, Ribbon

Time needed: Under 1 Hour
1. Begin by laying out three feet of plastic wrap, cutting it in half lengthwise. Place candies or groups of candies every three inches.

2. Roll the plastic over and tie bows BETWEEN each candy -using six-inch strips of ribbon.

3. Tie the two ends of the plastic wrap together and cover the knot with another ribbon.
Wear now and eat later!

 

____________

 

CABBAGE PRINTS

We've all done stamp art using cut fruits and vegetables...where we dip the veggies in paint and print. That's it! Look at the wonderful creations that can be make with cut cabbage! This sample is made using stamp pads...Wonderful for Valentine's Day!

NOTE: KidActivities hasn't tried it--but has been told that celery used the same way--works as well.

______________

MAKE SOME LIQUID STARCH RED PAINT!

1/4 cup liquid laundry starch
2 drops food coloring
or 1 tsp. tempera paint
   ♥ Mix ingredients until blended

_____________

 VOTIVE CANDLES

 

Materials:
Baby food jars or jam jars
Scraps of tissue paper
Diluted paste or glue
Votive candles  

♥ Clean the jars well and let dry. You can use small jars...but check the size of the votive candle to make sure it will fit.

♥ Have the children  brush glue onto the jar and place different colors of tissue paper over the glue, overlapping so the entire jar is covered on the outside.

♥ When brushing the tissue with glue be sure to do so gently so it doesn't tear. If it tears, remove or leave wrinkled.

♥ The glue will appear to be white but will dry clear and when a candle is lit inside will give off a pretty color and design.
Great for gift time!  ♥ Valentine's Day: Use pink & red ...

____________

 LARGE 'PAPER CLIP' & 'VALENTINE RIBBON' BOOKMARKS...

 

Simply take a large paper clip and tie a group of three or four ribbon lengths to the top of the clip. (The amount depends on the width of the ribbon.)  The clips are great to mark book pages as well as clip envelopes and folders. Image by KidActivities.net  (For other bookmark making ideas visit the Book Mark Craft page)

 

___________

 

 FOUR VALENTINE HEART CHAINS

1. RIBBON AND HEARTS (On bottom of image) 

♥ Make a heart garland for Valentine's Day.
♥ Cut heart shapes out of red , pink, and purple construction paper or craft foam.
♥ Use a hole-punch to make a hole in each side of the heart.
♥ Use  ribbon or yarn to tie all the heart together into a garland. Hang from ceiling or down a wall.

_______

2. PAPER CHAINS... (Top of image)

Paper chains looped from the ceiling are always festive! Depending on the age of the children, after the paper strips are cut...they can be attached using glue sticks, scotch tape or staples. (Staples are the fastest) Of course--use pink, read, and purple construction paper.

______

3. PIPE CLEANER ATTACHED HEARTS... (Not pictured)

All you need are pipe cleaners in Valentine colors of your choice!

Make circles from an entire pipe cleaner. Take a half of pipe cleaner and connect the circles together! As you connect the large circles, bend them into a heart shape--that's it... 

______

4. HEART SHAPED PAPER CHAIN (Middle chain in image)

♥ Cut strips just as you would for a paper chain. Fold each strip in half. (See folded strips to left of heart chain garland)

♥ Take the two 'top strips' that are not folded--and touching them together---fold them down into a heart-top. Staple this to complet the shape.

♥ Connect  hearts by taking  two 'open strip tops' and fold them down over the previously made heart . Staple this at the bottom of the strips to make another heart shape. Continue until you achieve a chain of paper hearts... (Image by KidActivities.net)

____________

MS.VALENTINE!

Materials:
Constructions paper (Valentine colors of your choice
Scissors
Markers (Black and optional red)
Optional…
Large foam heart shape and google eyes.

Start by showing children how to make a 'perfect heart' using a sheet of construction paper.
1. Fold a sheet of construction paper in half. Draw half a heart on the one side. Leaving the paper folded...follow and cut the half-heart line. Open the sheet of paper and you have a perfect heart. This is the face/body.

2. With the remaining sheets of construction paper--cut out two long strips for the legs and two slightly shorter strips for the arms. Fold the long strips back and forth accordian style. Glue or tape these to the body.

3. Using a smaller heart template, have children cut out four matching hearts--two are the hands and two are the feet. Allow kids to place these any way they would like. (Points of heart shapes facing up or down on the arms/legs)

4. Mouth: KidActivities used a large foam heart-shape for the mouth. A curvy line was added in the center to separate the lips and a marker traced the shape for detail. If you don't have larger sized foam hearts--draw and color in big red lips or smile! Still very cute!

5. Eyes:  Eyes were first drawn using a black marker. A google eye was placed in the center of each eye. Add a couple little dots for the nose and complete as desired! (Image by KidActivities.net)

 _________________________

OUR CLASS HAS HEART ... A large dimensional VALENTINE DISPLAY)

1. Make 2 huge hearts; have each child write/print their name on one of the hearts. Continue to decorate as desired.
2. Leaving an opening, staple the edges of the two heart together.
3. Stuff the heart with recycled paper.
4. When complete, staple the opening shut.
5. Optional: Attach streamers of pink, white and red to the bottom.

♥ Hang the heart with a sign above that says: Our Class has Heart!

  ________________

 

'WALL OF LOVE' DISPLAY BOARD...Use it many ways!

 

For Valentine's Day, the staff at Colchester Institute Library (UK) put together this "Wall of Lurve" (You can call it Wall of 'Love'  'Friendship', or  '______'.)

For Valentine's day the  library staff provided a display for students and staff to write messages. Around 150 pink hearts were displayed on the Wall at the entrance to the library.

This is something that could easily be adapted to a class or after-school program! Kids could write friendship messages about teachers, friends, places, things, food, etc. Kids love writing on walls--so it could be a hit!

This is also a great idea for February's 100th day of school or National Friendship Month! The hearts could also be filled with Acts of Kindness for February's Kindness Week!

____________

VALENTINE PLACE MATS

1. Give each child two pre-cut place mat size ovals cut out of clear self-stick paper.
2. Remove the backing from one of the oval sheets
3. Have each child place hearts cut from red, pink, white, etc. tissue paper or construction paper
 
Last. sprinkle on glitter. Complete by removing the backing from the second oval and carefully placing the sticky-side down on the decorated oval.

_______________

LACING VALENTINE HEARTS (For Pre-K-and K)

Materials:
The front of old greeting cards, yarn, tape, hole punch.

1. Punch holes around the edges of cards about half inch to one inch apart.
2. Cut yarn for approximated lengths for lacing.
3. Tape one end of a piece of yarn to the back of each card.
4. Children then lace yarn through then holes in the cards.
5. When they finish, trim the remaining yarn ends and tape them to the back of the card. (lacing will be easier if you dip one end of yarn into wax or glue---or wrap it with tape to make a "needle".
6. This can be done with any Holiday such as Easter for Easter cards, Christmas, etc.

_____________ 

 

HERSHEY'S KISSES Flower Bouquet 

Materials: 6" lengths of 12 gauge floral wire,  Silk flower leaves, Green floral tape,  Clear cellophane,  Glue, Scissors,  Ribbon,  Hershey Kisses Milk Chocolates

1. For each candy rose, spread glue on the bottom of one foil-wrapped chocolate.
2. Firmly press the bottom of another chocolate to it.
3. Insert florist wire into one pointed end of the double chocolates, twisting cellophane, continuing down the full length of wire with tape.
4. Add 1 or 2 artificial leaves, if desired, securing leaves in place with florist tape.
 
You can also make them by taking two Hershey kisses...  first insert a pipe cleaner or wire into one. Next attach kisses together at flat end with tape or glue; wrap them with red saran wrap. Take 2 wire leaves and attach them to the pipe cleaner with florist tape.......'Kiss Rose kits' are also sold at Oriental Trading (See photo on left)

_________________

 VALENTINE 'KINDNESS TREE'

 This wonderful  display was created by Katja Van Elbe at a week long "Conscious Discipline Institute" work shop. (Sorry the work shop ink was disabled)

To replicate this idea, after making the tree shape of trunk and branches--add a heart for every kindness act noted. This idea is nice any time of the year, but works especially well in the month of February.

____________

 

WINDOW HEARTS

Coffee filters, Paintbrush, Red tempera paints, and water.

Water down red tempera paint in a container.
Cut a heart shape out of the coffee filter.
Then take the paintbrush and paint the coffee filter with the watered down paint.
Painting only parts of it will give a tie dyed affect. When it is dry hang them in a window.

_____________

PENCIL MICE HEART VALENTINES

Materials
Heavy construction paper
Pipe cleaners
Decorated Pencils
Hole punch
Black Marker or Pen

Directions:
From red, pink or purple paper, cut out several hearts approximately
4 inches across. On each, draw a nose and eyes.
Punch four holes above the mouse's nose.
Thread a short length of pipe cleaner through the top two holes
and another through the bottom two. Lastly, slip a pencil down
behind the whiskers, from the backside of the heart.
Source: DLK Website

_____________

VALENTINE TREE

ARM, HAND & FINGER PAINTING!!!  MESSY BUT FUN! This is a given...Keep lots of water and paper towel nearby!

Paint each child's arm brown and hand and fingers green. Have them put it on construction paper to make a tree. Placing the green hand a few times on the paper--makes a nice tree. After, dip fingers in red paint to make hearts on the tree. A finger print going to the left and again to the right--makes a nice heart! Optional: Foam hearts can also be added to the tree...

Messy but the kids will love it!!!

_____________

 

Click here for all Valentine pages linked together: Art/Crafts, Snacks, Games, Songs, Jokes, Gifts

You will also find some wonderful craft/gift  ideas that work for Valentine's Day in...

•Children's Crafts that Smell Good! 

•Gifts from a Child's Heart 

•Food Based Gifts

•Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts

•Easy Candy Recipes

•How about a Teddy Bear and other Bears Theme?! Teddy Bears are wonderful around Valentine's Day!

_______________________

 

Updated January~2013

STRAWBERRY MICE (Too cute not to put here!!!)

Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, Mini chocolate chips, Black decorators' icing, Almond slivers, Toothpick, Red lace licorice
Cheese (Your choice)

1. For each mouse, slice a small section from the side of a strawberry so it sits flat.
2. Press a mini chocolate chip into the tip for a nose, using a small dab of icing to secure it in place, if needed.
3. Add icing eyes and stick 2 almond slivers into the top of the berry for ears.
4. For a tail, use a toothpick to carve a small hole in the back of the berry and push the end of a piece of licorice lace into the hole.

These cute 'berry mice' are wonderful served alone  as a treat... or with an assortment of cheese, crackers and other fruit! ...(These were made for my 6 and 9 year old grandchildren and they loved them!) Image by KidActivities.net 

_________________

'REALLY EASY' VALENTINE COOKIES

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees.
2. Place vanilla wafer cookies 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Set a Hershey's Chocolate Kiss (and/or Hugs) on the center of each cookie.
4. Bake at 200 degrees for 5 minutes. (Or until Chocolate Kiss is very soft) If you are also using 'Hugs candy--keep in oven a minute or two less. The Hugs melt much more quickly than the Chocolate Kiss.

Remove from oven and gently press an M&M candy or a candy heart into the center of the softened Hershey's Kiss or Hug.
Put cookies in refrigerator and allow them  to cool completely to let the chocolate harden again. (Image by KidActivities.net)

NOTE: In KidActivities experience, the hug was taken out a bit early-- however it continued to melt on the cookie as demonstrated in the image...it still tasted good!

These are much like the 'Hugs and Kisses' on pretzels that is featured lower on this page. Personally...I prefer the pretzel version; however, these are very quick and simple for children to make with assistance. Children also like the taste of vanilla wafer cookies.

________________________

'HEART SHAPED' SANDWICHES

Ingredients:
Cream cheese, softened
Red food coloring
Bread
Heart cookie cutter
Jam - strawberry or raspberry

1. Add a few drops of red food coloring to the softened cream cheese and mix until the color is a light pink throughout.
2. Cut bread into heart shapes with the cookie cutter.
3. Spread cream cheese on the bread and top with the jam. (See image of pink toast at page bottom-the heart-shape with strawberry jam on it ...looks similar.)

_____________

VALENTINE LOVE CHOW~ Reeeeeely good! (Recipe can be doubled--these directions show the amount in the image)

5 cups Chex® cereal
1/2 cup white vanilla baking chips plus 2 Tablespoons chips
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1/3 cup powdered sugar plus 2 Tablespoons
1/2 cup red, white and pink candy-coated chocolate candies (M&Ms) Additional candy can be tossed in as desired.

Optional: 2 Tablespoons red or pink jimmies sprinkles...KidActivities did not use 'jimmies' but added some candy corn in the colors of red/white/pink

1. Place cereal in large bowl.
2. In small microwavable bowl, melt vanilla chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute (or until melted and smooth) It's important to keep watching as not to overcook mixture.
3. Pour peanut butter/white chocolate/butter mixture over cereal, folding over gently until evenly coated. 
4. Add M&M candy--and optional red/white/pink candy corn.
5. If bowl is large enough, add powdered sugar and gently fold it into the cereal mixture.  If bowl is not large enough, place cereal in a paper bag with the powdered sugar and gently shake until cereal is covered.
6. Add optional sprinkles at this time. Place mixture on waxed paper or foil; cool and set about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

NOTE: When first made-- the mixture tasted very sweet. It was actually better the second and following days. (The cereal 'absorbs' the mixture as it sits.) Both children and adults said 'yumm' to this goodie! We’ll be making it again next year!

Additionally, the cereal seemed a bit dry when KA first added the white chocolate, peanut butter, and butter mixture to the cereal.... KA then mixed and micro-waved more ingredients to add to the cereal. (Hence the added Tablespoons to list) This made the "Love Version' more like the well known 'Chocolate Puppy Chow' we all love. (Image by KidActivities.net)

_____________

VALENTINE RICE KRISPY SQUARES

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Butter
10 cups Crispy rice cereal
9 cups Miniature marshmallows
2 cups Candy Heart if desired (the tiny red spice type)
Candy Hearts (the ones with messages)
3/4 c Miniature chocolate chips
Red food coloring

1. Melt butter and marshmallows; stir until smooth.
2. In a large bowl, mix rice cereal, candy hearts(spiced tiny red ones) and miniature chips together.
3. To marshmallow mixture, blend in 2 drops red food coloring, adding more coloring if necessary to reach desired shade.
 
♥ Add marshmallow mixture to cereal mixture; stir quickly to combine. Spread on a large buttered pan; press with buttered hands.
♥ While warm, press on candy heart (with messages) spaced 1 to 1/2-2 inches apart.
♥ Refrigerate and cut into squares.

_____________

 RICE KRISPY VALENTINE POPS

 

Make Rice Krispie Squares according to recipe. Once the Rice Krispies are made, cut them into hearts using a Valentine cookie cutter.  Place a popsicle or candy stick into each cut-out rice krispie. Place the Rice Krispies in refrigerator or freezer for five to ten minutes. The coolness of the rice krispies will help the chocolate (directions are below) to adhere quickly and easily to the treats.

Melt chocolate. (You can melt 2 large candy bars or your favorite chocolate.) When treats are sufficiently cool, dip each rice krispie heart.  Sprinkle (with sprinkles) each treat immediately after dipping in chocolate being careful to keep them upright while drying. No Fuss suggests placing the dipped choclate treats in a tall glass to dry instead of placing them on wax paper. Eat and enjoy or if giving for a gift--finish the Valentine treats by covering them with cellophane and a bow. Courtesy of No Fuss Fabulous

_____________

FRIENDSHIP FRUIT SALAD... Nice idea  for school or child care programs... 

♥ Ask each child to bring in a piece of fresh fruit or a can of fruit. Have them chop the fruit with a plastic knife.
♥  Mix all together in a big bowl and serve. 
♥ Optional: top with miniature marshmallows or even add some dry vanilla pudding and shredded coconut to the fruit to make it special.

♥ The extra cans of fruit left over can be donated to the local food pantry.

_____________

VALENTINE 'COOKIE GRAHAM'

Ingredients: a Graham cracker, pink frosting, (put red food coloring into white frosting) Alpha Bits cereal, small candy hearts

Directions:
♥ Frost Graham cracker with pink frosting.
♥ "Write" your message (I Love You or your name, etc.) using the Alpha Bits and placing them on the middle of the frosted cracker.
♥ Decorate the boarder with candy hearts.

________________

HAND-DIPPED CANDIES

Microwave high-quality chocolate in a bowl
Dip any of the following items to make chocolate candies:
Cookies, marshamallows (see dipped marshmallow image below), dried fruit, granola bars, pretzels, peanuts, caramels or cherries.

♥ To avoid messy hands, you may want to try dipping some of them with skewers or toothpicks.
♥ Place the chocolate candies on a cookie sheet that has been covered with wax paper and refrigerate or freeze until they harden.

You may also be interested in the EASY MAKING CANDY category... There are more tips on 'dipping' on the 'Candy Page'.

____________

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MARSHMALLOW POPS
20 /sucker/lollipop sticks (found at cake decorating or craft stores)
20 large marshmallows
1 cup (6 oz.) Nestle Toll House Premier White Chips/Morsels
1 cup (6 oz.) Nestle Toll House Milk Chocolate Chips/Morsels  

 

1. Line baking sheet with wax paper.
2. Push each sucker stick halfway through a large marshmallow; set aside.
3. Melt white morsels according to package directions. Immediately dip 10 marshmallow lollipops lightly in the melted morsels for a thin coating.
4. Set the stick side up on prepared baking sheet.
 
5. Melt milk chocolate morsels according to package directions. Repeat dipping process as above with remaining marshmallows.
6. Refrigerate marshmallow suckers for 10 minutes or until hardened. (TIP: KidActivities also added about a half teaspoon of shortening --such as Crisco--into each chocolate before micro-waved-- to make it more smooth when stirred.) Image by KidActivities.net
Makes 20.

Optional: Colored sprinkles/jimmies can either be sprinkled on top of the white chocolate layer-- or the bottom chocolate layer.

NOTE: Next time I'd use a Styrofoam block or glass in which to insert the sucker sticks.  Laying the 'double dipped' marshmallows on the wax paper (sticks up) creates a flat bottom.(Barb)

____________

 

EASY but YUMMY CHERRY TREATS

 Ingredients: 
1 Package Cupcake Paper Holders
1 Pound Cake or sponge cake (Sara Lee type in the States)
1 Can Cherry pie filling
1 Can or carton of whipped topping  

• Cut cake into small cubes.
• Place cubes at the bottom of each cupcake holder. (Tip: double or triple the holders) 
• Plop a spoonful of cherries on top of the cubed cake pieces.
• Keep chilled. When you are ready to serve dab the top with whipped topping and enjoy.

Using the cupcake holders is a great idea when making this with children. However, for a larger serving the cherry dessert can also be made in individual bowls.  A nice Valentine's Treat! (Images by KidActivities.net)

(There are also CHERRY RECIPES in the CHERRY THEME  near its page bottom....) 

_______________

RED 'CREAM CHEESE' DIP
   ♥ Blend one tablespoon brown sugar into a container of strawberry cream cheese. 
   ♥ Dip strawberries, red apple slices and cherries into the spread.

____________

♥ VALENTINE ROLL-UPS

Have children spread strawbery cream cheese and strawberry jam onto a tortilla- then roll the tortilla up like a log. Have children use the plastic knives  they used to spread the cream cheese and jam-- to cut the rolled up tortilla into sections.  If children do not like either the cream cheese of the jam--omit it...

Optional: Place strawberies halves on top of rolls (Image by KidActivities.net)

 

 __________

FOR OTHER Valentine Day Snacks consider...

 ♥ RED JELL-O jigglers with cool whip and sprinkles or have children use heart shaped cookie cutters to cut out hearts from the Jell-O.

♥ RED FRUIT (apples, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, etc.)

 ♥ Red/pink fruit JUICE

♥ SANDWICHES:
Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape into one piece of bread. Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich using the heart-shaped cutout slices as the top piece.

♥ Heart shaped KRISPIE TREATS: Make normal recipe of Rice Krispie treats, but add red food coloring to butter/marshmallow mixture...Cut out with heart cookie cutters. If you do not have heart cutters you can either use a knife to cut them out or cut out a square and shape with your hands.

♥ Valentine's PUNCH

1 liter of Raspberry sherbet, 1/4 cup of pineapple juice, 2 liter sprite.
Put the sherbet in the punch bowl; it works best if it is half melted. Next add  pineapple juice. Wisk them together making a smooth texture. Last, add the sprite slowly, mixing continuously until the punch bowl is full.
The punch tastes good and you can use different colors of sherbet for different occasions.

♥ Heart-shaped snack cakes or cookies

♥ Valentine candy

♥ Cheese slices pressed with heart shaped cookie cutters...

_______________

 

SWEET TORTILLA SHAPES

 Using small fun shaped cookie cutters (in this case hearts for Valentine's Day) cut shapes out of a flour tortilla.
Place on non stick cookie sheet and lightly brush with a little melted butter.
Lightly sprinkle (you only need a little) with a mixture of 1 part cinnamon and 3 parts brown sugar.
Bake in a moderately hot oven for 10 minutes for a sweet and crispy treat.

NOTE: These are light and crispy and really good! The treats can be made any time of the year, with any shape.  Be sure your cookie cutters are sharp enough to easily cut through the tortillas. KA will definately be making versions of these again and again!!! (Image by KidActivities.net)

_________________

 

EASY VALENTINE PRETZELS ~ HUGS & KISSES...

Hershey's Hugs chocolates
Hershey's chocolate kisses
3 (10 ounce) bags checkerboard windowpane or round shaped pretzels (or adjust the amount of pretzels to the number of treats you'd like) 
1 (large pound size) bag M&Ms plain chocolate candies.  Use Red and Pink for Valentine and other colors to match other holidays

Directions: Preheat oven to 170 degrees.  Place pretzels on a parchment or waxed paper-lined cookie sheets in a single layer. DO ONLY ONE TYPE OF CANDY PER SHEET because the Hugs melt faster than the kisses.

Unwrap Hugs or Kisses, place one on each pretzel, repeat for an entire cookie sheet.

Place cookie sheets in the preheated oven, bake 4 MINUTES FOR THE SHEET OF pretzels and HUGS, 5-6 minutes for the pretzels and KISSES. Remove from oven and immediately put a M&M on top of each pretzel/chocolate, pressing down gently. When pressing down you may need to wiggle the chocolate around a little to fill in any gaps between the chocolate and the pretzel. This will help the chocolate stick to the pretzel.

Place cookie sheet in freezer or refrigerator until the chocolate is reset.  If this is a gift...wrap either in cellophane bags, a tin or a candy box. (Image by KidActivities.net) 

__________

 

HEART SHAPED CAKE (14 inches wide and 12 inches long)

This cake can be made using ANY flavor mix and any frosting. KidActivities made a strawberry Jell-O poke cake with Cool Whip/pudding frosting. (Recipe is below)

 

Don't have a heart shaped cake pan?

...Simply use one sqare pan and one round pan. Follow baking directions on cake mix box. Place the cooled sqare cake at a 'diamond' angle--and cut the cooled round layer in half.

As in the first image...place each half of the round cake at the upper sides of the 'diamond angled' square cake.

________

JELL-O POKE CAKE RECIPE
1 pkg. (2-layer size) white cake mix
1 cup boiling water
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Strawberry or Raspberry Flavor Gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
(Even though the cake mix KidActivities used was white--I used three whole eggs and not just the whites)

1. Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on the package for 8"X8" size pans.
2. Cool cake in pan 15 min. Pierce cake with a straw or large fork at 1/2-inch intervals.
 
3. Make Jell-O
Add boiling water to gelatin mix; stir until completely dissolved.
Stir in cold water; pour into the holes if using straw method-- or over cake if using fork. The method of putting Jell-) over cake/into holes is your choice.
Refrigerate 2-3 hours.

4. FROST cake with the "below recipe", Cool Whip, or whipped cream.  After frosting-- leave as is or decorate with strawberries or raspberries. Refrigerate 2 hours.
The cake above was trimmed in strawberries that were cut in half... pink and white 'jimmies'  were sprinkled in the center. 

NOTE: This cake should be served cold and right out of the refrigerator! The cake slice shown above--was the first slice from the bottom point of the cake...

__________
BASIC RECIPE for  'COOL WHIP and INSTANT PUDDING' FROSTING

1 cup milk
1 (3 1/2ounce) package instant pudding mix, any flavor
1/4 cup powdered sugar
8 ounces Cool Whip

Pour milk into bowl add pudding mix and sugar.
Beat with wire whisk or mixer on low for 2 minutes. Cool in refrigerator until it is thickened.
Gently fold in whipped topping.

NOTE: KidActivities used a 6 1/2 oz. box of pudding mix with 2 cups of 2% milk. A couple drops of red food gel coloring and 1/4 cup powdered sugar was added.
The pudding mixture was refrigerated a couple hours and then about 8 oz. of cool whip was gently folded in.
As the above cake is very large (Almost 14 inches wide and about 12 inches long)-- more topping was needed than the basic recipe calls for.

__________

 

 

PINK 'PAINTED' TOAST (Art and snack in one) 
Mix milk with small amount of red food coloring. (You don't need much of either to do a few slices of bread) Have children paint the bread and then then toast it. Put out  strawberry jam to go with it!

NOTE: Be sure children do not soak the bread. Just paint lightly so the bread will toast nicely. The image shows three stages of the pink toast.

♥ The heart on the left is bread that is only painted.

• ♥ The full slice of bread on the right has been toasted and has nothing else on it.
•  
• ♥ The bottom heart has been painted and then toasted. Strawberry jam has then been spread on the toasted bread-heart.

♥ One 'heart shape toast' was spread with butter and then eaten before it made the 'shoot'. Yumm (Images by KidActivities.net)

___________

 

DECORATE VALENTINE CUPCAKES or COOKIES...

Set out either unfrosted heart shaped cookies or cupcakes. Add tubs of ready-made frosting, paper plates, plastic knives and whatever food decorations are available. Next let the kids have fun creating their own Valentine treats!

KidActivities put out strawberry cupcakes, white and pink frosting, chocolate chips, mini and regular size M&M's, pink and red candy corn and sprinkles...

The result is a variety of 'hugs and kisses' (O's and X's) hearts, and pink candy corn designs. Fun! (Image by KidActivities.net) 

Personal Note: Just like a child, I'd eat off all the candies first--and then enjoy the delicate cake! (Barb)

TIP: If you place 'a marble' behind  batter- filled cupcake liners (in a cupcake tin) the indentation will make a heart shaped cupcake. The bottoms are still rounded, but the top of the cupcake goes into a heart shape. The marbles are not affected in the oven!

_____________

DIPPED PRETZELS FOR VALENTINES DAY or ANY Holiday/Season 

Using the below directions... dip pretzels and then sprinkle with 'jimmies' to match the season. I just made these--and they are ohhh-so good!

The white chocolated pretzels were dipped in Wilton's Vanilla with peppermint candy circles. The chocolate dipped pretzels were made using  Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips. (Image by KidActivities.net)

__________

WHITE CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZELS

1 lg. bag large pretzels  (KidActivities likes Snyder Pretzels)
1 lbs. white chocolate
Melt chocolate in microwave as package shows. Dip pretzel in chocolate and place on wax paper; let cool. To change the color of the chocolate, add food coloring before dipping.

 

LARGE CHOCOLATE DIPPED PRETZELS
12 oz.) bag chocolate chips
Large pretzels--Not rods

Melt chocolate and dip pretzels in chocolate leaving about 1/2-inch space at top of pretzel to hold. Lay on wax paper and let set.

TIP: When melting chocolate for dipping- I add about a teaspoon to teaspoon and half of vegtable shortening such as 'Crisco' to the chocolate. (The amount of shortening depends on the amount of chocolate being melted.) Do not use liquid shortening. 

I also microwave in short intervals. If chocolate is heated too long it will become hard. I don't have half power on my microwave-so I use the 'defrost setting'---starting with one minute and adding 25 to 30 seconds as needed. Usually when ready, the chips will still have shape; however, when stirred they melt down. (Barb/KidActivites)

__________

 YOGURT KISSES

 This is a quick, healthy and refreshing snack!

Simply take yogurt--the sample used a small container of regular raspberry Activa but any brand or color that is pink will do. Drop it by small teaspoons onto a plate or cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Place in freezer and ta-daa...yummy and nice yogurt kisses!

When frozen keep in covered container or plastic baggie and return to freezer.

If you would like a perfect "button shape"--put yogurt in a baggie. Snip of a corner of the bag and squeeze out perfect round shapes. Be sure to keep small;  they are eaten with fingers and melt quickly. (Image by KidActivities.net)

_______

BEVERAGES

 

 

These recipes are from KidActivities Smoothies, Shakes and Coolers Category! Check out the page for some good 'Smoothe Making' tips and ideas...

 ____________

CUPID'S DELIGHT CHERRY FLOAT

Cherry 7-up, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and a maraschino
cherry on top.

________

CHERRY COKE SUPREME
Ingredients:
1 12 OZ Coke
1 T Cherry Grenadine
1 T Maraschino Cherry juice
1 Maraschino Cherry

Combine the first three ingredients by mixing slowly so as not to disturb the bubbles in the soda. Pour in tall glass over ice and top with Maraschino Cherry.

_________

CHERRY JELL-O SMOOTHIE
Small package of Cherry Jell-O
1/2 Cup milk
1 Cup cherry yogurt
1/2 cup fruit of choice (pitted cherries, banana, etc.)
1/2 cup ice cubes
Put all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth.

__________

CHERRY LIMEADE
1/2 cup lemon lime soda
Juice of 2 limes
1 tsp cherry juice
1 maraschino cherry

Squeeze lime juice into a tall glass.
Add soda and cherry juice and stir well.
Add a maraschino cherry on top!

_________

EASY FRESH BERRY SHAKE
1 cup milk
½ banana, sliced
¼ cup fresh berries
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix well. Makes 4 to 6 small servings.
_______________________

LOTS OF BERRIES SMOOTHIE
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 cup nonfat frozen yogurt
1/2 cup ice
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in blender; mix until smooth and frothy.
_________________________

TRIPLE RASBERRY SMOOTHIE
1 cup frozen concentrated raspberry juice
1 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup vanilla yogurt
1 cup cold water
1 teaspoon raspberry jam
3 ice cubes
Directions:
Combine ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glasses and serve immediately with drinking straws.
______________

RASBERRY SMOOTHIE
1 cup orange juice
1 cup raspberry yogurt
1 cup vanilla frozen yogurt
1/2 frozen banana (chunks)
1 1/2 cup frozen raspberries
Place all ingredients into a blender in the order listed. Blend at a low setting for the first minute, then the high setting until smooth.
_______________

COCONUT-STRAWBERRY FIZZ
This is cool and creamy, but light---with strawberries, coconut milk and a nice soda fizz.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut milk
4 cups frozen strawberries
3 Tbsp sugar
1 cup club soda
Combine all ingredients in blender and process until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses.

___________

 I LOVE STRAWBERRIES MILKSHAKE
1 cup milk
6 scoops strawberry ice cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon strawberry ice cream topping
1 tablespoon whipped cream, optional
Fresh strawberries, sliced, optional
Directions
Combine first 5 ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with whipped topping and sliced strawberries.

_________

Click here for all Valentine pages linked together: Art/Crafts, Snacks, Games, Songs, Jokes

__________

 

 Pre-K and K songs/poem at page bottom...however...ideas for all ages!

PLAN A HEALTHY HEART DAY! (Read this, it's fun!)

Celebrate a “healthy” heart with fun, aerobic activities that get children up and moving. You may want to set up several skill stations; this is an idea adapted from Celebration Games: Physical Activities for Every Month (2006 Human Kinetics).

STATIONS CAN INCLUDE:

   ♥ STEP AEROBOCS STATION: Set up four or five step aerobic steppers and music.

   ♥ HEALTHY HEART EXERCISES: Demonstrate several aerobic exercises and have children perform three aerobic exercises of their choice at this station (ie. jumping jacks, jumping rope, jogging in place)

   ♥ CHOLESTEROL: Pictures of both high and low cholesterol foods are taped down. Children throw beanbags underhand from a throw line at low cholesterol foods.

   ♥ BLOOD PRESSURE: Make a sign that says “normal blood pressure 120/80” and tape down pictures of things that can raise blood pressure such as smoking, unhealthy foods, lack of exercise and stress. Children THROW BEANBAGS UNDERHAND from a throw line at the things that will raise blood pressure. (You can put point values on targets and total points)

   ♥ A HEALTHY BUT YUMMY SNACK TABLE at culmination of activity.

   ♥ Divide the children into groups and disperse them evenly among the stations. Place them in a numerical order and have them keep this order for all stations. Set the number of tries for each turn and announce when it is time to rotate to the next station. Leave ample space between stations and advise children not to stand in the throwing areas. Adapted and expanded upon from: School-age Note of the Day- 2/5/07 schoolagenotes.com 

__________________________

 

 VALENTINE LIMBO CONTEST 
  ♥ PlaY regular Limbo - but when children go out - they must 'say something nice' about child in front (or back) of them.

________________

 

___________________ 

FRIENDSHIP COOPERATION RELAY GAME  
  ♥ Use tape or chalk to mark starting and turn-around points on the floor. Match children with partners (You could use the broken heart game in the above idea) and then divide the group into teams. If teams are uneven, have one pair go twice.

  ♥ Each pair holds a towel between them with an inflated balloon resting on top of the towel. At the signal, have each pair race from the starting point to the turn-around line and back--while balancing the balloon on the towel.

  ♥ If the balloon falls off--the pair must stop and replace it. Each pair then hands the towel with the balloon to the next pair in line---until all have had a turn!

   __________________________

I LOVE!
  ♥ All sit in a circle". Have someone start by taking a ball and saying "I Love" and then say something they love such as- "I love ice cream". 
  ♥ They then roll the ball to someone else in the circle and it becomes that person's turn to say something they love. 
  ♥ The next person might say "I love bears" and then roll the ball on to someone else. 
  ♥ Just as with all good game playing...Continue and END BEFORE the children grow tired of it. 
  ♥ NOTE: This is a good way to get kids to think about the things they appreciate and learn about each other....

_________

FRIENDSHIP TOWER
(Good for Valentine's Day and also Building Team/Program Spirit)
 
  ♥ Divide the group into teams of four or five children. Distribute construction paper and tape to each team. Explain to the teams that they will have ten minutes to build the tallest tower they can---WITHOUT TALKING. They can use only the given supplies. At the end of ten minutes -- have each team display their tower and discuss whether it was easy or difficult to build and why.

__________________________ 

INSTEAD OF SIMON SAY---PLAY 'ST. VALENTINE' SAYS or 'THE HEART' SAYS...One player is the leader or 'St. Valentine' and orders the other players to make motions by saying "St. Valentine says" and then an action. They might say "St. Valentine says thumbs up", "St. Valentine says hands on your head" or "St. Valentine says jump up and down." The leader also makes all of these motions. If he omits the "St. Valentine says" part, ... and just orders "Thumbs up" or "Jump up and down", the players must not make the motion. Anyone who does so is out of the game. The winner is the player who remains in the game the longest.

 ______________________________

STUFFED HEART (or cute 'stuffed teddy bear') RACE
  ♥ Divide the youth into two groups (if not even, have one child go twice). Give each team a small stuffed valentine heart. Have one child from each team place the heart between their legs and hop to the end of the room and back. They give the heart to next child in line, and this repeats until children have had their turn. The first team done is the winner.

MAKE FELT HEARTS (AS A CRAFT) AND TO USE FOR THE ABOVE GAME...
Need: Two 8" squares of red or pink felt, 8" cardboard heart templates to use as a pattern, pencil, scissors, safety pin, glue, fabric paint, polyester fiberfill...

Use the cardboard heart pattern template to trace two hearts onto the felt. Cut out hearts and place one on top of the other. Put a safety pin through the middle of the hearts to hold them in place while gluing. Glue the two pieces of felt together along the edge leaving a 3" opening. Use fabric paint to add a child's name to the top of each pillow; let dry. Stuff the heart with fiberfill and glue the pillow shut.

 __________________________________________

 VALENTINE BEAN BAG TOSS
   ♥ Take a cardboard box and cut out 5-6 Valentine hearts. Make them big enough for young children to throw bean bags through.  

  ♥ Decorate the box in a Valentines Day pattern and colors.

  ♥ Have the children take turns throwing bean bags in into the holes.

  ♥ If budget allows...Have a prize for the child who gets the most in with three throws--- and small prizes for ALL players.

  ♥ If you don't have a box you can always draw hearts on a ground or wall with red or pink chalk and try to toss your bean bags. into them instead.

 __________

WHAT'S ON MY BACK' GUESSING GAME
  ♥ Create some name tags with words that relate with Valentines Day- such as: hearts, flowers, red, white, pink, and love.

  ♥ You'll then tape this tags on people's backs-but they can not look for the names. They must not find out what word is on their tag until the game starts.

  ♥ Everyone goes around and gives each other clues about the "valentine word" on their backs. You can ask a person only one question at a time. The game continues until everyone has found what theirs tag says.

______________

 
BUZZ BOMB BALOON GAME
Materials: 1 balloon per player, not inflated, LARGE HEART SHAPE from butcher paper, tape for center of target
Formation: line or circle

  ♥ All players inflate their balloon. Some players may need help.
When the leader says "1, 2, 3, GO!" the players release their balloons in the direction of the target. (the large heart)

  ♥ Score 5 points for the closest balloon and 15 points for a direct hit.

  ♥ This game works well with teams - each team gets their own colored balloons; red, blue, green etc. Or, you do not need to keep score at all and just have fun playing the game several times.

__________________

 
VALENTINE TIDDLY WINKS GAME

Before play---cut a medium paper heart. Provide each player with 4 plastic disks (Tiddly Winks or Bingo markers).

♥ Form a circle at a table or on the floor. Place the heart in the center of the circle. When you say "Go" the players "shoot" their disks onto the heart by pressing the edges with another disk.
  
  ♥ How many can they get to land on the heart? 
  ♥ It's harder than you think! - Let the kids try this as many times as they would like. If you have a large group of
children, divide players into smaller groups and make more heart "targets".

  __________________

THROWING THE SMILE! (Circle Game)

 

In this game, players are forbidden to smile, but --giggling and laughing will abound anyway.
 
1. Players sit in a circle, making sure they can see everyone else. One player who is "It" starts the game by smiling widely, while all the other players are somber. "It" then uses their hand to wipe the smile off their face and throw it to another player--- who has to catch the smile with their hand -- and then put it on.

2. The new "It" can wipe off the smile to throw to someone else--(though he/she will probably choose to make funny smile faces at everyone for a minute or two before relinquishing the happy role.) Meanwhile, all other players must sit stone-faced. One smirk and they're out.

TIPS:
The youngest players are the least successful at winning this game (they simply can't stop themselves from laughing), but they also tend to enjoy it the most.) Cassie/Mi. Adapted from: familyfun.go.com

________________

HEART UNHID

  ♥ Staple a 2" piece of string to a heart cut out of posterboard or construction paper. Hide the heart while all players close their eyes. The Valentine maybe covered but the string must be left exposed and visible.

  ♥ Tell  players to search for the Valentine, but when they find it they should not pick it up or tell anyone. Instead they must just go and sit back down and say "Hearts Unhid!"

  ♥ They then wait until everyone else has found it. The first player to sit down then may hide the heart. Soure: partygamecentral.com

____________________

VALENTINE HEART RELAY RACE

  ♥ Cut a large number of hearts and write a different instruction on each heart for a relay race Such as:
Skip, crawl, crab walk, hop, walk backwards, etc. --
 
  ♥ Duplicate the instruction for the number of Teams you will have playing. (Example: Three teams equals three sets of instructions)
 
  ♥ Divide the children into groups (if not even, have one child go twice) Put the hearts at the end of the room in a pile for each team.

  ♥ On go, the first player on each team runs up to the pile and takes a heart. The players come back to the group doing what it says on the heart. When the first players get back, the next players run to the hearts and play continues...

  ♥ Return the hearts to the bottom of the pile until ALL have had a turn.
Tip: Laminate the hearts for FUTURE Valentine Days. (This game can also be a adapted to other themes such as St. Patrick's Day with Shamrocks instead of hearts)

__________________ 

THEMED WORD RACE 
Challenge your friends to a race of the minds. (This can be played between two people or 3 or 4 youth on each Team)
 
  ♥ Set a kitchen timer for one minute. When the time starts, write down as many VALENTINE AND FRIENSHIP related words that you can think of.

  ♥ Example: heart, cupid, love, gifts, candy, sweets, sweet, cards, flowers, jewelry, dinner out, kiss, hug, like, roses, arrow, ribbons, paper doilies, present, friends,etc.
(Remember this for other themed Days!)

 __________________ 

 VALENTINE GIFT

 

This is a version of the 'Halloween Mummy Wrap' game!

For Valentine's Day, instruct the children that they are wrapping a valentine gift. When they are done wrapping their "gifts," give them a big red bow to finish the package. Play this game in  pairs or small groups.

 

________________________

  SHARE THEIR HEART GAME (For younger children)

1. Before you play--make half as many 24" hearts"---as there are children in the group.
2. Tape the hearts to the floor in a large circle.
3. Play music and have the children walk around the circle of hearts. Stop the music intermittently.
4. When the music stops, have each child stand on a heart with both feet. More than one child can share a heart. Children may hang on to one another in order to stay on their heart.

5. Do not eliminate payers-- instead--eliminate hearts.
6. Start the music again. While children are walking, remove one heart. Eliminate a heart each round-until it is impossible for children to use any fewer hearts. From book: Let's Party, by Cathy Allen Falk

_________________

WHERE'S YOUR VALENTINE?

(Played like "Doggie Doggie where's your Bone?")
 
1. Have one child sit in the middle of the circle while covering their eyes.
2. Give another child a Valentine to hide behind their back.
3. Have all other children put their hands behind their back.
4. Chant the following verse:

Valentine, Valentine,
Where's your match?
Wake up quick,
And find them fast!

5. The child in the middle gets three guesses. The one  who hid the Valentine is the next to go into the middle.

_______________

MUSICAL VALENTINE PASS (Pre-K toGr. 3)

1. Prepare a large heart from construction paper before the party.
2. Put  children in a circle, and play silly Valentine music while they pass around the paper heart.
3. The person holding the heart when the music stops wins a treat.
4. Bring plenty of treats to make sure each child receives one.

____________

VALENTINE PICTIONARY

Divide  youth into two groups --
Have one child from each team draw a valentine object on the blackboard while the rest of the team tries to guess what is being drawn.

___________________

 

THE BIGGEST SMILE

This is not a game, but a great group activity to see who can give the biggest smile!.

One at a time measure people's smiles with a ruler or measuring tape. This is fun. You can also measure the zany faces! Take photos as you do this as people are smiling BIG!

___________

Have a "MAKE A VALENTINE HEART" by tearing paper contest! A CRAFTY GAME

♥ Have each participant hold a piece of valentine colored construction paper in their hands--behind their back.
♥ They tear the paper into a heart shape without looking at what they are doing.
 
♥ Who's created the most "heart-looking" heart shape!?

  ______________________

  PUT THE LIPS ON MISS VALENTINE - (A version of pin the tail on the donkey) 
  ♥ Create a Miss Valentine with large, heavy poster board or cardboard. Be creative and use moving eyes, false eyelashes and pipe cleaners for hair (everything but the lips). 
  ♥ Write a "number" on each pair of red lips cut out of construction paper; Place tape on the back of them. 
  ♥ Put a blind fold on the children and have them put the lips on the Ms. Valentine.

___________

BROKEN HEARTS MATCH GAME

(A good 'lead in' game... to find partners ...or just have fun!) 
  ♥ In advance cut each heart into two pieces with BOLD, UNUSUAL LINES- SO EACH ONE IS UNIQUE! 
  ♥ Distribute one-half of a heart to each child. 
  ♥ At a signal have the children find the other half of their hearts.

 _______________-

 'KISS ME' QUICK 
 

 ♥ Hide Hershey Kisses around the room and have a race to see who can find the most kisses. (Large group? Break children into smaller groups with multiple hunts or in different areas) 
 ♥ A good idea would be to combine all collected candy kisses-- and divide them evenly between the children.

 

__________________

HEART BEAN BAG TOSS

1.  Before play: Cut a LARGE heart "target" out of paper or fabric.
2.  Use a marker to make a large X in the center.
3.  Make or purchase three bean bags.
4.  To play - place the heart on the floor and a strip of tape an appropriate distance away-- Six feet for young children -- farther for older children.
5.   The players form a line and take turns standing with their toes on the tape.
6.   Toss the Bean Bags one at a time attempting to hit the X.

___________

YUMM... CHOCOLATE FACE

Place a piece of chocolate candy in your mouth-- and see how long it takes to melt!
No sucking and chewing it!
The one to keep the chocolate IN THEIR MOUTH THE LONGEST is the winner!

_____________

SONGS and MOVEMENT...Nice for Pre-k to Gr. 1

WON'T YOU BE A FRIEND TO ME? A Game and Song...

SONG: Sing to tune of London Bridges
Won't you be a friend to me? Friend to me? Friend to me?
Won't you be a friend to me? And I'll be your friend, too!

1. Randomly give each child a small object of pink, red or white to hold. (You could use small paper hearts, crayons, beads, etc.)
2. Depending on the number of children in the group, use two or three different colors. Make sure the objects each have a mate of the same color
3. Teach children the song: Won't you be a Friend to Me?
4. When children all have a colored object, they walk about the room singing the song. When the song is complete, they partner with a 'friend' who holds the same color that they are holding.
5. When matched with a friend, they both sit down as quickly as possible. When all are sitting, children change colors with each other and a new round begins!

____________
I'M A LITTLE VALENTINE (To tune of I'm a little Tea Pot)

I'm a little valentine
Red and White
With ribbons and lace
I'm a beautiful sight
I can say, "I Love You"
On Valentine's Day
Just put me in an envelope
And give me away

____________

MY SPECIAL FRIEND (Sing to London Bridge)

My valentine is red and white
Red and white, red and white-
My valentine is red and white
It's for a special friend.

Can you guess my special friend,
Special friend, special friend?
Can you guess my special friend?
Did you guess? It's you!

_________

DO YOU KNOW MY VALENTINE?
Sing to the tune The Muffin Man

Do you know my valentine,
My valentine, my valentine?

Do you know my valentine?
Their name is _____.

_____

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
Sing to tune of Three Blind Mice

Love, love, love...
love, love, love-
See how it grows
See how it grows.
 
I love my friends and they love me.
We love each other that's plain to see.
There's plenty for a family.
Love, love, love...
love, love, love.

__________

VALENTINE FINGER PLAY
Demonstrate putting the 'heels' of hand palms together. Curve all the fingers so tips are down-ward and meeting to make a heart. When all children have learned the movement-say it with the following poem.

FINGER RHYME...
I part my hands together
This is how I start...
I curve my fingers right around
And I can make a Heart!

____________

FIVE LITTLE VALENTINES...

5 little valentines from the grocery store-
I sent 1 to mother, now there are 4.
4 little valentines pretty ones to see-
I gave one to my brother now there are 3.
3 little valentines red, yellow and blue-
I gave one to my sister now there are 2.
2 little valentines, oh we have fun-
I gave one to Daddy, now there is 1.
1 little valentine, the story is almost done-
I gave it to mother, now there are none.

 ___________________

Back to top

Click here for all Valentine pages linked together: Art/Crafts, Snacks, Games, Songs, Jokes.

______________

 

These Jokes are fun to tell---but also great to use on  Valentine cards you make!  Put the question on the cover and the answer inside! Draw, paint, or decorate the card as the joke indicates...

_________

Q. What did the boy elephant say to the girl elephant on Valentine's Day?
A. I love you a ton!

Q. What did the boy bat say to the girl bat on Valentine's Day?
A. You're fun to hang around with!

Q. What did the boy cat say to the girl cat on Valentine's Day?
A. You're purrr-fect for me!

Q. What did the boy pickle say to the girl pickle on Valentine's Day?
A. You mean a great dill to me!

Q. What did the boy bird say to the girl bird on Valentine's Day?
A. Let me call you Tweet heart!

Q. What did the boy squirrel say to the girl squirrel on Valentine's Day?
A. I'm nuts about you!

Q. What did the girl squirrel say to the boy squirrel on Valentine's Day?
A. You're nuts so bad yourself!

Q. What did the boy rabbit say to the girl rabbit on Valentine's Day?
A. Somebunny likes you!

Q. What did the boy bear say to the girl bear on Valentine's Day?
A. I wuv you beary much!

Q. What do you call a very small valentine?
A. A valentiny!

Q. What kind of flowers do you never give on Valentine's Day?
A. Cauliflowers!

Q. What did the boy bee say to the girl bee on Valentine's Day?
A. You are bee- utiful! Will you bee mine?

Q. What did the girl bee say to the boy bee on Valentine's Day?
A. I love beeing with you, Honey!

Q. What did the boy whale say to the girl whale on Valentine's Day?
A. Whale you be mine?

Q. What did the buck say to the doe on Valentine's Day?
A. You're a dear! (Deer)

Q. What did the boy owl say to the girl owl on Valentine's Day?
A. Owl be yours!

Q. What did the boy sheep say to the girl sheep on Valentine's Day?
A. I love ewe!

Q. What did the girl sheep say to the boy sheep on Valentine's Day?
A. You're not so baaaaaa-d yourself!

Q. What did the farmer give his wife on Valentine's Day?
A. Hogs and kisses!

Q. What did the caveman give his wife on Valentine's Day?
A. Ughs and kisses!

Q. What two words have a thousand letters in them?
A. Post Office!

Q. Why is lettuce the most loving vegetable?
Because it's all heart.

Q. What do squirrels give for Valentine's Day?
 Forget-me-nuts.

Q. What did the letter say to the stamp?
You send me.

Q. What did the stamp say to the envelope?
A. I'm stuck on you.

Q. What is a vampire's sweetheart called?
A. His ghoul-friend.

Q. Why did the banana go out with the prune?
A. Because it couldn't get a date.

Q. What is a ram's favorite song?
A. I only have eyes for ewe, Dear

Q. What happens when you fall in love with a French chef?
A. You get buttered up.
 
Q. What is the difference between a girl who is sick of her boyfriend and a sailor who falls into the ocean?
A. One is bored over a man the other is a man overboard.

Q. If your aunt ran off to get married, what would you call her?
A. Antelope.
 
Q. Did Adam and Eve ever have a date?
A. No, but they had an apple.

Q. What did the boy octopus say to the girl octopus?
A. I wanna hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand...

Q. What did the valentine card say to the stamp?
A. Stick with me and we'll go places!
 
Q. What did the paper clip say to the magnet?
A. I find you very attractive.

Q. What did the bat say to his girlfriend?
A. You're fun to hang around with.

Q. What did one light bulb say to the other?
A. I love you a whole watt!

Q. What did the elephant say to his girlfriend?
 A. I love you a ton!

Q. What did the chocolate syrup say to the ice cream?
A. I'm sweet on you!
      
Q. Did you hear about the nearsighted porcupine?
A. He fell in love with a pin cushion!

Q. What did the pencil say to the paper?
A. I dot my i's on you!

Q. Do skunks celebrate Valentine's Day?
A. Sure, they're very scent-imental!

KNOCK-KNOCK VALENTINE JOKES

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Frank.
Frank who?
Frank you for being my friend!

Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Jimmy.
Jimmy who?
Jimmy a little kiss?

Knock, knock!
Who's there?
Atlas.
Atlas who?
Atlas Valentine's Day is here!

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Olive.
Olive who?
Olive you!

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Luke.
Luke who?
Luke, I got a Valentine!

GIFT SPOON IDEAS...USE FOR COFFEE, HOT CHOCOLATE OR TEA! Nice gifts but also a great winter time activity!!!

CHOCOLATE SPOONS
These are nice!
For 12 spoons need:
1 cup (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips and 12 heavy-duty plastic spoons in winter colors ( OR....pick up mismatched spoons at a thrift store)

Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Start at about 2 minutes and then keep checking. You don't want to burn the chocolate. Dip the spoons into the chocolate...allow the spoons to cool slightly, then dip them in the chocolate again. Repeat until chocolate reaches your desired thickness on the spoon. If a gift---after the spoons are cool, wrap them in gift cellophane and tie with a ribbon or yarn. Wonderful for coffee and hot chocolate...

______________

 PEPPERMINT CANDY SPOONS

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 candy cane or 5 peppermint candies, crushed
12 heavy-duty plastic spoons in Christmas colors

1.  Put candy in a baggie and crush with a rolling pin.
2.  Melt chocolate.
3.  Dip spoons into chocolate to fill.
4.  Sprinkle with crushed candy.
5.  Place on waxed paper covered cookie sheet to cool.
Wrap with cellophane and tie with ribbons for gifts.

____________________________

SWEET AND NICE TEA STIRERS

 34 pieces crushed, flavored hard candy; 2 Tbls. light corn syrup; heavyweight clear plastic spoons

• Line a jellyroll pan with waxed paper and spray it with cooking spray. In a small, heavy saucepan- combine crushed candies and corn syrup over low heat. Continuously stir as the candy melts.
• Spoon the melted candy into the bowl of each spoon.
• Place the spoons on a prepared pan with a rim so the spoons are level. Let them stay until the candy again hardens.
•  Store in airtight container or wrap in gift cellophane and ribbons for a gift.

 ___________

TWO TEA GIFT IDEAS

 
#1 TEA FOR TWO GIFT

• Insert a small funnel into the top of a 3x4 resealable bag.
• Measure and pour into the bag- 2 teaspoons unsweetened instant tea, ½ tsp. sugar-free cranberry gelatin, and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon powder.
• Remove the funnel and seal the bag.
• Repeat for as many as desired (each gift bag should have two).
• Stack together two 10 ounce foam cups. Put the bags of tea mix into the top cup.
  ____________
  #2 RUSSIAN GIFT TEA
  Put in a jar, wrap prettily and give with instructions.
  Ingredients:
  2 cups Tang
  1/2 cup instant tea
  1 package lemonade mix-3 oz.
  1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  3/4 tsp. cloves (optional)
  1/2 cup sugar
• Combine ingredients. Use 2 or 3 heaping teaspoons of mixture to each cup of water. Serve hot or cold.
• Include the recipe and preparation directions:
  “Pour 8 ounces of boiling water into cup. Stir contents of one tea bag until dissolved. Add sugar to taste.”
• Wrap the cups in colorful tissue paper. Add a ribbon or bow.

__________________

 

CHECK OUT THE recipes and goodies with PRETZELS in the PRETZEL CATEGORY! So many it has its own category! Also has ideas to wrap gift wrap them...

  ____________________

 

HERSHEY'S KISSES Flower Bouquet 

Materials: 6" lengths of 12 gauge floral wire
Silk flower leaves
Green floral tape
Clear cellophane
Glue
Scissors
ribbon
Hershey Kisses Milk Chocolates
To create Chocolate Roses:

•  For each candy rose, spread glue on the bottom of one foil-wrapped chocolate. Firmly press the bottom of another chocolate to it.
• Insert florist wire into one pointed end of the double chocolates, twisting cellophane, continuing down the full length of wire with tape.
• Add 1 or 2 artificial leaves, if desired, securing leaves in place with florist tape.

You can also make them by taking two Hershey kisses...  first insert a pipe cleaner or wire into one. Next attach kisses together at flat end with tape or glue; wrap them with red saran wrap. Take 2 wire leaves and attach them to the pipe cleaner with florist tape.......

____________________

RICE KRISPY HERSHEY KISS

For a Valentine's Day or _____ gift make -- a "Hershey Kiss" using rice krispie treats. 
1. Make a batch of the krispie treats
2. Spray a funnel using Pam and push some of the treat into the funnel making a kiss shape.
3. Put the kiss shape onto a piece of foil and wrap it up. Add a gift carad saying I love you or _________!

__________________

CANDY CANE CAPPUCCINO  (Gift Jar)

1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup instant coffee
1 cup hot cocoa mix
8 regular sized candy canes, crushed

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender until it becomes a smooth powder. Place mixture in small jars and decorate with fabric and ribbon-- and attach the tag.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAG (attach to jar/bag)... Candy Cane Cappuccino:
Stir 1 tablespoon of cappuccino mix into 1 cup boiling water. For a richer cup of cappuccino, place 1 tablespoon of mix into 1 cup of hot milk.

_________________________

COCOA MIX GIFT #1  FOR A COLD DAY...

Materials:
Small glass jar (baby food size)
1 serving of hot cocoa mix
About 1/4 cup of small marshmallows
4-inch or larger fabric scrap (depending on the size of your jar)
18" length of ribbon
Glue
Hershey Kiss candy
Small wrapped candy cane
Card

Directions:
Clean the jar and dry it well. Measure a one-cup serving of the hot cocoa mix into the jar. Fill the jar to the top with small marshmallows. . Cut the fabric scrap into a circle. Center the fabric circle on top of the jar lid. Tie the ribbon around the edge. Glue the Hershey Kiss on top of the fabric cover. Glue the candy cane to the side of the jar. Write a personal note and draw a candy cane or other symbol on the card.

Include simple directions like the following:
"Here's a little gift to warm you up on a cold afternoon. Simply pour this jar of cocoa mix into a mug filled with 6 to 8 oz. of hot water. Top with marshmallows and drop in the Hershey Kiss. Stir with the candy cane and enjoy!"

__________________

COCOA GIFT #2 (SNOWMAN SOUP) WITH POEMS

Place in a clear plastic bag...
1 individual pack hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey's chocolate kisses
10-15 mini-marshmallows
1 small candy cane
___________

Add one of the following poems...

COCOA POEM #1

When the weather outside is frightful,
Snowman Soup can be delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

When you feel a chill or 'burrrrrr',
Use the peppermint stick to stir.
Add hot water and sip it slow.
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.
_____________

POEM #2

When it's so cold that you holler and whoop,
It's time to bring out the Snowman Soup!

Pour the packet in a mug. Add marshmallows too.
And throw in these kisses that are special just for you.

Now add some hot water and use the cane to stir it.
Sip slowly and soon you'll feel the warm winter spirit!
____________

COCOA POEM #3

A little cup of cocoa, I'm sending your way,
For you to sip and enjoy, On some cold lonely day.

As you sip this cocoa, It's warmth will warm your heart...
Just like our friendship warmed mine, Right from the very start.

_________________

GOURMET APPLES (Adapted from Mrs. Z. Rochester, Mi.)
Apples MUST be dry and room temp.

•Put caramels in a crock pot (You can also microwave the caramel dip sold in stores)
Place Popsicle sticks in  stems of large apples.

•Adult- When caramel is melted, put the apple on a stick in crock pot; make sure it’s totally covered.

•Let it drip; place on wax paper on a paper plate.

•Next have semi-sweet choc melted and put in baggie; snip off the corner of baggie and drizzle over caramel. You can also do white chocolate...

•Decorate  with choice of colored sprinkles, nuts, m&m's, seasonal edible decorations, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, Reese pieces etc. Mrs. Z gives children the choice of two decorations. (At home she does more)

•Lift off the paper plate and place on a doily.

These make a wonderful gift! For two other Apples on a Stick ideas, visit the Apple Foods category...

________________________________

SNOWBALL MARSHMALLOWS

Ingredients:
Bag of Large Marshmallows, Corn Syrup, Sugar Crystals, Cake Sparkle Sprinkles

• Gently brush each marshmallow with corn syrup.
• Roll in sugar crystals and cake sparkles.
• Set aside on parchment paper to dry.
• Cover lightly with saran wrap to keep air off so marshmallows don't dry out.
• Once set, place into snack-sized zip loc bags for gifts or later!

_________________________

COLORED SUGARS IN PRETTY CONTAINERS to give as gifts! To make: Combine 1/4 t. food coloring, 1/4 t. water, 1/2 t. vanilla extract and 1/4 c. granulated white sugar. Mix together and spread out in a thin layer to dry. Rub out the lumps between your fingers to make the powder uniform. Use more food coloring for darker colors, and less food coloring for lighter hues.

You can use clean baby food jars and cover the tops with fabric/felt and ribbon! These are to be used on cookies and desserts...

Recipe #2  Without the vanilla and water-Materials: Ziploc bags, Granulated sugar, Food coloring, Paper plates

Put some sugar into a bag and add a drop of food coloring. Close the bag and, with your hand on the outside of the bag, mix the color in. You may need to add slightly more food coloring or sugar until you get the right color and texture (you don’t want the sugar to be at all damp). Tip the sugar on to a paper plate to dry. To use the sugar, tip it back into a clean bag, seal and break up any lumps which have formed. To give as a gift-layer in jars as directed above. They really do look like sand art!

__________

HOLIDAY GUMDROP/SPICE DROP  CANDY TREE

Materials:
Gumdrop (Spice Drop) Candy
Styrofoam tree - Any size desired; sample is 6"
Tin foil
Pointed Toothpicks

1. Cover the tree base with tin foil
2. Break toothpicks in half
3. Put a gumdrop on the broken side of the tooth pick...
3. Starting at the bottom of the tree, poke the pointed side of the tooth pick (with the gumdrop on it) into the tree.
4. Continue going around the tree until it's covered with the candy.

Use caution with young children ... it can be difficult removing the toothpicks. These should only be for decoration. 

I remember making these in the late 1960's! Seeing a photo of one on a website --brought back some nice memories--so guess what?! I made one and "Hubby" made the other...(Barb)

Click Here for directions for "Candy Cane Seeds" and "Snowman and Reindeer Poop" Gifts! 

 Back to top of page

____________________________

Other Craft Categories that are also great for Gifts are:

• Crafts for crafts or that are great for Gifts
• Children's Crafts that Smell Good! 
• Gifts from a Child's Heart
• Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts

  You may also be interested in...

• EASY CANDY RECIPES
• POPCORN SNACKS AND GOODIES
• SNACK MIX RECIPES
• Apple Recipes-Check out APPLES ON A STICK near the page middle.
• All kinds of DIPPED PRETZELS and Pretzel Treats.

_____________ 

GLUE AND POTPOURRI
Materials:
Plastic Lid (3"-4" diameter)
6" Yarn or String
White Glue
Potpourri
Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
Instructions:
Lightly coat the inside of the plastic lid with petroleum jelly. Squeeze a thin layer of glue inside the lid. Make sure the entire bottom is covered. Add a layer of potpourri on top of the glue arranging it to fit the shape of the lid. Leave a small area open about 1/2" from the edge - to push your string through. Cover the potpourri with another layer of glue. If you are using big, chunky potpourri set it aside to dry. If you are using potpourri with smaller pieces you may prefer more than one layer with glue between each layer.
After it dries, remove from lid. And add a loop of yarn or string for hanging. Source: MakingFriends.com

___________________ 

EASY AIR FRESHENERS
You need:
Poster Board
Scissors
Hole Punch
6" Yarn
Tacky Glue
Potpourri
Instructions:

• From card-board or card-stock...pre-make "shape patterns" that the children can trace and cut from poster board. (Make shapes of the season)
• Punch a hole in the top of the cut out shape and add a yarn loop.
• Put tacky glue on one side and sprinkle potpourri on it.
• After it dries, repeat for the 2nd side.

________________________________

NON-SEW SACHETS

Materials:
Fabric scraps 
Fabric glue
Potpourri

• For each sachet, place 2 matching 5-inch fabric squares back-to-back and glue the edges together on 3 sides. Spread the glue close to the edges to prevent fraying.
• Once the glue is dry, fill the sachet with about 1/2 cup of potpourri.
• Glue together the open edges and again let the glue dry.
• Arrange the finished sachets in multicolored stacks and tie them together with a festive ribbon or yarn.

_________________ 

DOOR SACHET

• Make small fabrics bags and fill them with potpourri or cotton balls filled with essential oil (Be sure that the oil is at the center of the cotton or it may stain the fabric).
• Fasten the sachets with ribbon or cord and hang them on door handles.
• You can also take netting or cheesecloth and grab corners and tie. 
• As the door is opened and closed it will waft the fragrance around the room.

______________________

SCENTED EYE PILLOWS
Materials:
8″ x 8″ Fabric (Something soft and colorful!)
Needle
Thread
Scissors
1 cup uncooked rice
Crushed cloves
Crushed cinnamon sticks (not ground cinnamon)

1. Fold the fabric in half so it’s in the shape of a rectangle. Make sure the inside of the fold is the side of the fabric you want showing when the eye pillow is finished.
2. Sew two sides of the fabric together with the needle and thread, leaving one side open to add the scented rice mixture. It’s best to leave a short side open.
3. Turn the fabric inside out so you can see the “pretty” side of the fabric and not the sewing stitches.
4. Add crushed cloves and crushed cinnamon sticks (not ground cinnamon) to the rice until the mixture has a scent you like.
5. Pour the mixture into the fabric pouch.
6. Sew closed the remaining open end of the eye pillow.

This eye pillow craft is simple and great for older SAC and middle school….

______________________ 

BABY FOOD JAR FRESHENER

Materials:
Potpourri
Clean Baby Food Jar (no top needed)
5" Paper Doily
Rubber Band
Lace
Ribbon Rose
Low Temp Glue Gun
Instructions:

• Fill jar with potpourri.
• Cover with a paper doily or tulle.
• Secure with rubber band.
• Tie a ribbon around the jar to hide the rubber band.
• Optional: Hot glue ribbon rose to area.

_______________________

AROMATIC JARS using essential oils and cotton balls

• Take a small, clean glass jar and put a few cotton balls inside.
• Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon, orange or clove oil.
• Punch holes in the top of the jar...
• The jar can be placed under a bed, in a closet, near a cat litter box or any other place that needs a fragrant addition.
• You can decorate the jars by painting the lids with craft paints ... add some glitter, etc.

___________________

DRYER SHEET SACHET
2 used white dryer sheets
1 heaping tablespoon potpourri
1 length of ribbon
2 or 3 small pieces dried flowers
Tacky glue
Place one dryer sheet over top of the other dryer sheet-- so that the corners of the second sheets are centered at the sides of the first sheet. Place the potpourri in the center of the sheets. Gather up and tie with ribbon. Decorate with dried flowers.

__________________ 

LAVENDER BATH OIL
Almond oil (Baby oil may be less expensive)
A few drops of lavender oil
Optional: lavender sprig or rose petals.
Mix the almond and the lavender oil.
  ♥ Put a lavender sprig or a few rose petals into a pretty bottle. (When making this with a group, use baby food jars)
  ♥ Pour oil into bottle.

___________________

LAYERED BATH SALTS
Materials:
Small jars- such as baby food jars
Bowls for mixing
Bag of Epsom salts
Food coloring
Funnel
Spoon
Paper doily or fabric scrap
Rubber band

• Using a funnel, fill the jars with Epsom salts so you know how much of the Epsom salts you will need.
• Empty the Epsom salts, more or less equally, into six bowls.
• Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl, stirring to make yellow, pink, blue, green, mauve and orange colored salts. (Food coloring will not stain bathtub or people in this amount)
• Optional: Add a few drops of fragrance oil, or spray Epsom salts with your favorite perfume. Cassie/Michigan

_____________________

LAYERED EPSOM SALT

• Use a funnel to pour colored layers of Epsom salts in each jar, like sand art.
• Pack each layer down with a spoon before adding the next layer, and make sure the jar is filled to the top before screwing the lid on tightly.
• Decorate the lid of the jar with a circle of fabric or a paper doily held in place with a rubber band.
• Cover the rubber band with ribbon.

_______________________________

SUGAR SCRUB GIFT

(For Exfoliation)
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar (I prefer white, but 2/3 white with 1/3 brown is pretty)
1/4 cup oil (may need more if scrub is too dry)
4-8 drops essential oil for scent (You can usually get this at a health food or organic store)
A jar
Directions: Mix ingredients well and store in a sealed container.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAG: (attach to jar)
To use: Use a few tablespoons to scrub your skin in small circles. Be careful! Oil may leave the shower floor slippery.

__________________________

HOMEMADE BATH SALTS
2 ½ Epsom Salts (See salt or combination if affordble)
Perfume
Food Coloring
Combine the Epsom salts with food coloring and perfume in a large container. Mix it well so the color is even. Put it into smaller jars and let it stand for 4-6 weeks before using so the perfume will blend with the salts.

________________________

LAVENDER BATH SALTS

Need:
1 Cup Epsom salts
1/2 Cup table salt
1 box baking soda
Few drops of lavender oil (or any kind of aroma oil you like)
  ♥ Mix the salts and the baking soda.
  ♥ Add the lavender.
  ♥ Put in an airtight container such as a pretty jar with a lid.

 To make this with a group--put it in clean baby-food jars and cover the tops with fabric and ribbon. You can decorate the jar by adding a ribbon or a bow.

____________

ORANGE-CLOVE POMANDORS

 

Ingredients
6 oranges (or lemons)
whole cloves
decorative ribbon

 
The Spice Mix
4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons ground cloves
2 tablespoons ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons ground allspice
1/4 cup orrisroot powder (as preservative)
 
Directions
1. Combine the spice mix ingredients.
2. Wash oranges.
3. After poking a hole with a needle, fork, or tooth pick,insert cloves into oranges in a decorative pattern.
4. Roll cloved oranges in the spice mixture within 24 hours and set in a warm place to dry, turning fruit daily.
5. Drying takes from two weeks to possibly a month.
6. Pomanders are completely dry when they are hard.
7. Remove pomanders from the spice mix, dust off a little, and tie with decorative ribbons. (Wrap your orange in holiday ribbon leaving enough extra ribbon at the top for hanging. You can poke holes into the ribbon and through to the orange to help hold it in place.)

Set out in a bowl or you can use as Christmas ornaments. Also great hung in a closet! These can last for months to years!

___________________

SCENTED  BALLS

1 Styrofoam Ball (size may very)
1 Cup dried herbs or potpourri, dried rose petals or dried small flowers for a 6" size ball
White Glue
Twine or Ribbon

1. Pour herbs mixture into a bowl. You may choose to ground leaves or petals in a coffee grinder or food processor or glue them on separately.
2. Cover an area of the ball with glue and roll ball through mixture, covering an area at a time.
3. Cloves may be glued on separately.
4. Cover ball with waxed paper and firmly press. Allow to dry completely before adding ribbon

_______________

GIFT SOAP
Materials:
One bar of Ivory soap;
1/4 cup water;
2 drops of food coloring;
a good kitchen grater and
Optional: Essential oils if wanted.

_________________________

DECORATIVE SOAP BARS
Bar of soap (regular or glycerin)
Paintbrushes
Aluminum Coffee can
Large pot
Canning wax or a white candle
Candle/Soap Paint

Have children paint designs on the soap with the soap paint (acrylic will also work).
Meanwhile an adult places the coffee can in a pot half-filled with water. Drop in wax and melt it over low heat.
Use a disposable paintbrush to cover the design on top of the soap. Let the wax dry. The protective coating will allow the soap to be used without washing away the picture.

_________________________________________

Kids love writing on the tub when bathing and they can with...
SOAP "CRAYONS"!
For soap flakes recipes, you can make your own with finely grated bars of pure soap to make soap powder. The amount of water may need to be decreased, so start with less water and add as needed. If you don't want to make your own pure soap flakes, YOU CAN BUY a package in the laundry aisle at the grocery store.

***Do not use laundry detergent! ***

_____________________________

RECIPE FOR BATH TIME CRAYONS:
3 cups soap flakes
1/2 to 1 cup water, approximately
1 teaspoon vegetable food coloring

With this recipe you can make the following...

1. MOLDED BATH TIME CRAYONS
Combine soap flakes and water. Add food coloring and put mixture into lightly greased ice cube trays, candy or soap molds. Press soap dough into molds lightly and let dry over night before un-molding.
__________
2. SHAPED BATH TIME CRAYONS
Grease your hands with vegetable oil first! Mix the soap and water to make the consistency of play dough. Put a few drops of vegetable oil on your hands; rub the palms of your hands so the soap won't stick to your hands while shaping it.
_________
3. SOAP ON A ROPE
You'll need some string. Shape the soap with your hands. Cut a piece of string and tie the ends together. Push the knot gently into your finished shape. Let the completed soap dry before hanging it by the rope.

4. MULTI COLORED SOAP ON A ROAP
Make two-tone soaps by using identical shapes of different colors and sandwiching them together.
______________
Adapted from: frugalhomemaker.com

________________________________

5. SOAP SHAPES USING COOKIE CUTTERS
Pat or roll out the mixture and have the children use cookie cutters or theme cutters to make individual soaps. Small cookie cutters make nice shapes in guest-soap size that can be placed in a small wicker basket for a gift, bathroom display, or drawer sachets.

Back to top of page 

 

 

A BOX OF LOVE: My son gave this to me many years ago...it's still one of my favorite gifts!!! Sarah/Oakbrook

To make this gift you need:
Small plain boxes such as jewelry boxes
Pretty wrapping paper to fit the occasion
Glitter, sequins, decorations of choice-Ribbon
This poem--printed on nice paper.

This is a very special gift
that you can never see.
The reason it's so special is
it’s just to you from me.
Whenever you are happy,
or even feeling blue.
You only have to hold this box
and know I think of you.

You never can unwrap it…
Please leave the ribbon tied.
Just hold the box so close to you…
It's filled with love inside.
With Love, ___________________

___________________

GIFT FROM THE HEART COLLAGE

• Have children bring in a few family photos (that you can use or to make copies.
• With these they will create a collage about their family; they’ll also use drawings, short descriptions and decorative items, such as shells, leaves, ribbon, etc.
• These items can all be glued onto a large piece of poster board.
• They can also make a small photo collage with grandparents or cousins, etc.

________________

A VOICE WITH LOVE
Record voices reading a book, making jokes, recalling memories, or singing. Include a photo of the person who made the recording. If a new story is being read, wrap up the book with the recording for a special book-tape gift.

_______________

THE GIVING BAG

• Invite children to brainstorm special things they can do for the recipient of their gift-such as-give a hug, tell a funny joke, sing a song, take out the garbage, vacuum a room, put away the dishes, etc.
• Write their responses on 3”X6” strips of paper.
• Help children wrap the strips tightly around a pencil to create scrolls.
• Decorate a plain paper bag with festive SEASON-THEMED (Spring, summer, fall) decorations, drawings and stickers…
• After the bag is dry-- put the scrolls inside the bag.
•  Fold down the top of the bag-punch two holes and thread ribbon through the holes. Tie and create a bow.
  Adapted From Nov./Dec. Scholastic Instructor-page 39

__________________

GIFT CERTIFICATES
Materials: Scissors, paper, colored pencils, crayons, and/or markers, glitter (optional)
Sometimes people give gift certificates for gifts. A gift certificate is a simple piece of paper that lets the person who owns it -trade it in for the gift.

• Kids can easily make their own gift certificates. Have them think of several things they can do well, things that other people would appreciate.
• Maybe Mom would appreciate them washing the dishes. Maybe Dad would appreciate a cleaning of the car. Maybe younger brothers or sisters would like to be read to or the time of play… Maybe Grandma or Grandpa would appreciate errands done?

___________________

FAMILY COOKBOOK GIFT

Hand out papers for the parents to fill out with two or three of their family’s favorite recipes. One could be a main dish (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) the others can be a snack, soup, dessert, or appetizer. Copy all recipes and put them in a book along with pictures the children draw.

  ___________________________

 SCOOP OF HUGS AND KISSES
Materials:
Laundry Scoop
Hugs and Kisses Candy
Clear or Colored Plastic Wrap
Ribbon

• A simple gift idea! Fill the Laundry scoop with candy hugs and kisses.
• Cut a large piece of plastic wrap. Set the scoop in the middle of the plastic wrap.
• Fold the plastic wrap over so the two ends meet at the scoop handle. Pull the plastic wrap tightly around the scoop
  and gather around the handle.
• Tie a ribbon around the handle to hold the plastic wrap in place.
• Tie a note onto the scoop that says "A Scoop of Hugs and Kisses for you".

____________________

HAPPY HAND PRINTS
Capture small prints in plaster for a great parent/grandparent gift.
This takes one to two hours to makeand overnight to dry. Happy Hand Prints sounds complicated but it is moderately easy!
Materials:
Newspapers or plastic to protect the work area,
Apron to protect clothing,
Small bag or box of plaster (The eight-pound box is enough for a stepping stone mold; you can use a four-pound box for smaller molds.)
Water,
Mixing bucket
Stick or old spoon to mix the plaster
Popsicle stick or trowel,
Plaster mold (stepping stone size or smaller)
Small rubber or plastic glove
Thin Paintbrush
Pieces of decorative glass or marbles
Clear acrylic finish spray

• Place plastic or newspaper over the work area. Protect clothing...
• Mix the plaster according to the directions on the box or bag.
• Pour the plaster into the mold and smooth the top with a Popsicle stick or trowel.
• Put a small protective glove on child's hand. Place the child's hand into the plaster to make a hand print.
• Remove the glove and wash the child's hand with soap and water.
• Write the child's name in the plaster with the end of a paintbrush.
• Place the decorative glass pieces or marbles in a pattern around the hand print.
• Allow this to dry overnight before moving it.
• Remove the plaster hand print from the mold and spray with clear acrylic finish spray. Allow it to dry thoroughly.

______________

FINGERPRINTS (To use for above handprint craft or art)

Sometimes you get discouraged,
because I am so small
And leave my little fingerprints
On furniture and walls.
But everyday I'm growing
And soon will be so tall
That all these little fingerprints
Will be difficult to recall.
So here's a little handprint
That you can put away
So you will know how my fingers looked
On this special day.

__________________________________

COUPONS FROM CHILDREN WHO DON'T AS YET WRITE
Supplies: Paper, markers, scissors, old magazines.
Directions:

• Ask children to think of something they can do to help mom or dad around the house.
• They can cut pictures from the magazine and paste them on paper strips to make coupons.
• Example: I will dry the dishes" can have a cup, saucer or dish detergent on the coupon...
• Package up in an envelope as a gift...(Traditional coupon booklets are great for kids who can write!)

_______________

HAVE CHILDREN WRITE AN ESSAY ABOUT WHY THEY love a parent, grandparent, special friend, teacher, brother/sister, etc., on pretty stationery… or put on white paper rolled up and tied with a ribbon.

• ALSO...create a book from that essay with hand-colored or painted pictures to illustrate different sentences.
• Punch three holes in the side of each page and tie the book together with yarn or ribbon.

______________________

Other pages in this category of Crafts that are great for Gifts are:

• Crafts for crafts or that are great for Gifts
• Children's Crafts that Smell Good! 
• Food Based Gifts
• Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts

__________________________________________