MNN - Mother Nature Network

Valentine's Day is right around the corner but there is still plenty of time for your kids to make their own gifts for classmates if they are interested.  Here are 10 great ideas for cool, yet quick and easy Valentines that kids can make by the dozen.

 

 

Tissue paper flowers.  These beautiful flowers are easy and inexpensive to create and they make a great alternative to the traditional candy heart Valentines.  Kids can tie a little note on the stem of each one wishing their classmates a happy Valentine's Day and they are good to go.  Sash a few together and they'll have a gorgeous bouquet for their favorite teacher.

 

Cupid's arrows.  I found this cute idea on Pinterest and while it didn't come with instructions, you can click the link to see a bigger photo which is more or less self-explanatory.  Red garland, Big Red gum, and sugar hearts all held together with a white skewer or straw.  Easy peasy.

 

 

Colorful Valentines.  Here's another Pinterest find.  Again, there are no instructions, but I think these are even easier to figure out than the arrows.  Just tape or glue a sweet, "colorful" note to the front.  Decorate a little if you wish and viola, instant valentines.  And so much more useful and fun than a bag of candy!

 

 

 

"May the Force be with You." Got a few Star Wars fans on your Valentine gift list?  These cool "May the Force be with You," Valentines from Cinaberry Suite look super easy to make - you just need to print out the image and add a fun glow-stick bracelet.  Obi Wan would approve!

 

 

 

Valentine's Day trail mix. This homemade trail mix from A Spicy Perspective is the perfect alternative for kids who want to give a snack but not necessarily one that's loaded with sugar.  Mix up the snack foods of your choice and divvy up into snack size baggies.  Then add a cute little note like the one in the pic or let kids make their own.

 

 

 

 

Fortune cookie love notes. This craft from Design, Wash, Rinse, Repeat looks fancy and complicated by these fortune cookie love notes actually come together in a flash.  Just cut out 4 inch circles from your favorite Valentiney paper, fold according to instructions, and insert a cute little note.

 

"Don't Ever Change" Coins.  I love this cute Valentine idea from Jaco'lyn Murphy.  Just fill a little baggie with chocolate coins and attach a sweet "Don't go Changin'," kind of note.  This is great for kids who want to do something other than the usual hearts and flowers for Valentine's Day.

 

 

 

Toy soldier Valentines. Here's another great idea from Jaco'lyn Murphy.  For kids who just can't "fight that feeling anymore," there are these fun toy soldier Valentines that come together with nothing more than a little soldier and a heart-shaped Valentine note.  Your kids will no doubt havea blast playing with these Valentines as they make them!

 

Love rocks. There is no end to the creative ways that your kids could design these "Love Rocks" Valentines.  The instructions show a stamped message on the back and a fabric design mod podged to the front.  These are certainly beautiful but you could also use paint, crayon, or colored pencils to write your message or create your design.And the best part is that each one will make a unique gift for a friend.

 

 

"You Rule" Valentines.  Speaking of unique Valentines, these gifts from ThompsonandSpring are sure to be a hit with all of your child's classmates.  You can print out the message for a sleek look or let your child write her own message to make the Valentine's more personal.