Valentines’ Day Crafts for Kids

Valentines’ Day Crafts for Kids

If you’re looking for things to do on Long Island with Kids this Valentines’ Day, Your Local Kids has compiled some easy craft ideas that the whole family can do together. Before starting any craft with your child, discuss the idea and sentiment behind your project. Many children are focused only on the romantic aspect of the holiday; so it can help to remind them that Valentines’ Day is also a time to celebrate compassion and friendship.

Be sure to check our Family Events Calendar to keep up-to-date with local seasonal activities in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Many libraries and local craft stores have free or affordable Valentines’ Craft workshops geared towards children. Be sure to choose an activity that is age-appropriate; and if you’re doing crafts at home – supervise your child to help out if they get stuck.

• Handprint Heart

For younger children, it can help to choose an easier activity. Pour a small amount of non-toxic paint on a paper plate and have your child place their hand in it. Choose a heavy piece of paper and have your child place two upside-down, interlocking handprints on the page to form a heart. Wait for the paint to dry, and have them write a personalized letter for the recipient. When they are finished, you can put the entire page in a sheet protector to preserve it. Make sure to date the back of the page, as it makes a wonderful keepsake.

• Valentines’ Chain

Another fun craft idea is having children assemble a Valentines’ Day Garland. You can use felt or construction paper to create hearts, and cut out the inside area or use a hole puncher to make holes. Connect the pieces with a ribbon or string; and display it proudly in your home.

• Recycled Crafts

Allow your child to search through unused items in the garage or basement, or take them on a trip to a local second hand store. Allow them to pick out something to incorporate into a project. Some good ideas include mugs, plain t-shirts or sweatshirts, vases, tote bags, or photo frames. If you go shopping, encourage their creativity and imagination by allowing them to take the lead in your shopping excursion. It’s a good idea to set a budget before heading to the store, and to keep it low (within a couple of dollars). Encouraging your child to read price tags helps them practice math skills and how to budget money, and giving old “junk” a new purpose allows them to discover the importance of recycling.

• Be Creative

By being imaginative with your child, almost anything can become a craft project. If you have spare materials at home, use them up! You can use brown paper bags to create Valentines’ Day puppets. ‘Love Bugs’ can be created by cutting three different sized hearts from paper, placing them upside down, and assembling three of them diagonally; the largest in the middle. Fashion legs or arms and silly eyes to heart shapes to make your own Valentines’ Day character, or create roses out of pipe cleaners and tissue paper.

With a creative thinking and a little bit of help, your child can make a variety of crafts to share with their friends and family this Valentines’ Day.