Custom Creations for Valentine's Day

My kids were complaining of being bored one day, so I decided to load them in the car and drive to the store so they could pick out Valentines for their classmates.  I figured that would give us something to do for an hour or so.  But then I had a better idea – I would help my boys make their own Valentines this year.  They love doing crafts and this is a project that could keep them busy all day.

We started gathering all of our supplies.  We went around the house in search of anything that could conceivably be used to decorate a Valentine.  After compiling our construction paper, stickers, glitter, remnants of fabric and lace, scissors, glue and tape we set out to create our custom cards.

A couple of websites were helpful in giving us some creative direction.  We implemented ideas found on FamilyFun.com and Kaboose.com while customizing our fun, humorous, and special Valentine cards.  I especially liked the play-on-words in the Family Fun article.  My boys and I came up with a few of our own.  Taping candy to our homemade Valentine hearts we wrote things like:

Now & Later I’ll always be your friend. (Now & Later candies)

I love you to Pieces. (Reese’s Pieces)

Valentine, you can count on me in a crunch. (Nestle Crunch bar)

Teacher, You’re out of this world. (Mars or Milky Way bar)

You are Mounds of fun. (Mounds bar)

You’re a Whopper of a friend. (Whoppers)

My kids were having so much fun creating their Valentines they didn’t stop with just their classmates.  They made one for their grandparents, their dad, me and even their little sister.

Sure, we could have picked out pre-made Valentines at the store, but this project gave them something to do and was a lot more fun.  Hopefully the recipients will appreciate the personalized nature of the cards.

Now my boys can’t wait to hand out their custom creations to all their friends on Valentine’s Day.  And I can’t wait to think up the next craft project to keep them busy on a boring afternoon.