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 

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

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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.

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 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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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!

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 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.

 

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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 crea". 
  ♥ 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. 
  ♥ Continue and END BEFORE the children grow tired of it. 
  ♥ This is a good way to get kids to think about the things they appreciate and learn about each other....

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INSTEAD OF SIMON SAY--PLAY ST. VALENTINE 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.

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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.

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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.

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CHOCOLATE KISS 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!

 

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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.

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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.

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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".

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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

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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

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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)

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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!)

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 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.

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 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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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THE BIGGEST SMILE

This is not a game, but a great group activity to see who can give the biggest smile!. (Prizes or not--your choice)

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!

Back to top

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 (Be sure to check out ideas towards page bottom-lots of photos!)

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!

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VALENTINE MARBLE PAINTING

♥ Use a heart candy box bottom; cut paper to fit inside the box.
♥ Dip marbles into pink and red paint. Drop marble into the box and have children twist and turn the box. Add snowflake glitter....really pretty when complete... 

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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. Submitted by Sarah/Oakbrook

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BAND -AID VALENTINES

♥ 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!

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Click here for  VALENTINE JOKES. Use them to make some fun hand-made Valentine Cards!

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BLOTTO ART HEART

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.
4. Repeat the process (outlining the heart) until the paper is full of color.

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HEART GARLAND

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

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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.

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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 over the shape.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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".

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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.

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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.

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 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 fishline! This wonderful example is from Skip to my Lou!  Be sure to make a bunch!

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VALENTINE CUPCAKE PAPER FLOWERS

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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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--art teacher at Stetson Hills School in Phoenix

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VALENTINE MARBLE PAINTING

Use a heart candy box bottom and cut paper to fit inside the box.
Dip marbles into pink and red paint. Drop marble into the box and have children twist and turn the box.
Add snowflake glitter....really pretty when complete...

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  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. 

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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.

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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

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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
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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 A plastic baggie 

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

Create a 'group' mailbox...
♥ Starting around mid-January, I have students begin to write letters to each other in the 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)

 Also from Tasha...VALENTINE CARDS FOR TEACHERS

♥ During Valentine's day, the children make a Valentine's Day card for their teachers.
♥ I buy conversation hearts and the children use these in making their cards! While using the hearts, many of the students learn meanings of new words. They have really come out cute. From Tasha in California

 

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

♥ 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!?

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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.
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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!

 

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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!

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MAKE SOME RED PAINT!

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

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 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 ...

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"WALL OF LOVE" DISPLAY WALL

 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 National Friendship Month! The hearts could also be filled with Acts of Kindness for February's Kindness Week!

 

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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)

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 VALENTINE KINDNESS TREE

 This wonderful  display was created by Katja Van Elbe at a week long "Conscious Discipline Institute" workshop. 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.

You will also find some wonderful 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

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

CHOCOLATE SPOONS
These are nice!
For 12 spoons need:
1 cup (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 candy cane or 5 peppermint candies crushed
12 heavy-duty plastic spoons in Winter 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.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Dip the spoons into the chocolate and lay on wax paper to harden. If a gift---wrap the spoons in gift cellophane and tie with a ribbon or yarn. Used for coffee or hot chocolate
CANDY CANE COFFEE SPOONS
Wrap with cellophane and tie with ribbons for gifts.

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PEPPERMINT CANDY SPOONS

• Unwrap and crush peppermint candies until they are broken up into small pieces. You can do this with a rolling pin.
• Place the candy pieces and the corn syrup into a pan and over a low heat allow the candy to melt down and mix with the corn syrup.
• Once the candy is melted remove from heat. Using a metal spoon, place a scoop of the new candy mix into the well of each spoon.
• Using a cookie tray lined with parchment or wax paper--- To prevent candy mixture spilling out-place the spoon handles on the edge of the tray and make sure the handles are higher than the well end of the spoon. so that the toffee won't spill out.
• Place the spoons in the refrigerator and allow them to set. Once the candy spoons have set-- wrap them up in cellophane and tie with ribbon.

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SWEET AND NICE TEA STIRERS

• 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.

34 pieces crushed, flavored hard candy. 2 Tbls. light corn syrup and heavyweight clear plastic spoons Need: Average sized peppermint candies
2 Tbs. Corn syrup
25-30 Heavy plastic spoons

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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.
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  #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.

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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...

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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.......

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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 _________!

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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.

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.

Place mixture in small jars and decorate with fabric and ribbon-- and attach the tag.

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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!"

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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
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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.
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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!
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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.

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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...

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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!

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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!

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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 when eating these. 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...(B)

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

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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! 
• Gifts from a Child's Heart
• Creative Ways to Wrap Gifts

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DECORATE VALENTINE COOKIES
 - Set out some unfrosted heart shaped cookies, tubs of ready-made frosting, paper plates, plastic knives and lots of different color sprinkles, and let the kids have fun creating their own Valentine treats!
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CUPID'S DELIGHT CHERRY FLOAT

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

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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.

Serve these cute Berries with small triangles of cheese and maybe crackers...I made these with my 4 and 6 year old grandchildren and they loved them! Submitted by Cassie/Michigan

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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 on the center of each cookie.
4. Bake at 200 degrees for 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and gently press an M&M candy or a candy heart into the center of the softened Hershey's Kiss.
Allow the cookies to cool completely to let the chocolate harden again.

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EASY VALENTINE PRETZELS

 

1. Place ROUND pretzels 1-inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Place a Hershey's chocolate Kiss in the center of each pretzel and bake for 5 minutes.
2. Remove from the oven and gently press an M&M candy or candy heart into the center of the softened chocolate.
3. 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.
4. Cool completely  (Found this Photo at No Fuss Fabulous to go with the recipe! So much nicer when you can see what it looks like!)

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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.

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VALENTINE RICE KRISPY SQUARES

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Butter
10 cups Crispy rice cereal
9 cups Miniature marshmallows
2 cups Candy Heart (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.

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 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 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

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FRIENDSHIP FRUIT SALAD

 ♥ 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.

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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.

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HAND-DIPPED CANDIES

Microwave high-quality chocolate in a bowl
Dip any of the following items to make chocolate candies:
Cookies, 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.

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PINK TOAST
Mix milk with small amount of red food coloring. Have children paint the bread and then then toast it. Put out the strawberry jam to go with it!
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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.

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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, 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 your 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.

♥ Valentine ROLL-UPS
Have children spread strawbery cream cheese and strawberry jam onto a tortilla- then roll the tortilla up like a log. Let the children use their plastic knives that they used to spread the cream cheese and jam-- to cut the rolled up tortilla into sections.

♥ Heart-shaped snack cakes or cookies

♥ Valentine candy

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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….

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 nonths to years!

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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

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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.

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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.

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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! ***

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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.
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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.
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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.
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Adapted from: frugalhomemaker.com

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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.

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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, ___________________

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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.

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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.

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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

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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?

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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.

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 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".

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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.

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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.

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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!)

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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.

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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

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These Jokes are fun to tell---but also would be great to use on cards you make! 

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, 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!