3 Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

Valentine's day is quick approaching; so don't let it pass by without doing some fun crafts with your kids. With all of the pink and red decorum at the stores, it's easy to find the supplies you need for these three simple projects.

1. Beaded Heart Decoration

Everyone has seen those large plastic beads with three rounded tips. You've probably made a beaded candy cane out of these before in white or clear and red. Well this time find any type of beads that can easily be handled by your children, and big enough to be seen by the naked eye without getting lost in the carpet for centuries. These beads can easily be found at craft stores and Wal-Mart. You don't have to stick with the traditional colors of red and pink, either. Heart shaped pony beads are a favorite because the extras can be made into bracelets or necklaces with a little string for those jewelry-crazed daughters.

Purchase the beads, some beading wire, and wire cutters if you don't already have some. Beading wire comes in a variety of metallic colors included copper, silver, and gold; it is easily pliable for little hands, and when cut with good wire cutters will not be a cutting hazard. You should cut out one wire piece per heart in the desired size (no less than 8 inches for a decent sized one). Fold the wire in half so that it makes a V-shape. You should leave the bottom tip of the V in a slightly rounded shape so that a bead can fit nicely in the grove. Let your kids stack beads on each end, being sure to leave ½" on each side of the top of the V so you can close it into a heart. When they've finished placing the beads on, bend the wire into the shape of a heart by rounding the sides of the V into candy cane shapes that meet in the middle. Twist the wire together to lock the beads in and bend the excess wire into the hole of the middle of the closed bead to hide it. Attach a string or ribbon to each rounded part of the top of the heart so it will hang evenly. If you purchased beads that have holes that are too small for the wire to be hidden underneath, than simply affix a small silk flower or bow to the front. This will hide the wire and add a nice touch.

Other ideas include using clear or light pink diamond shaped beads and hanging it in the window for rainbow effects when the sun shines through, or attaching a spiral piece of wired beads to the bottom of the heart and placing light metal wind chimes evenly spaced along the spiral. These make great gifts as well.

2. A Twist on a Valentine Mail Box

These can be easily constructed from an empty tissue box or a wooden craft box. It's not about the construction as much as it is the decorating. I prefer to use a tissue box since it can be recycled on a yearly basis (i.e. your kids can make a brand new one every year rather than watching them all accumulating in your closets). Tissue boxes with a plastic insert on the top are idea for this craft. Gather together tissue paper, watered down glue, and a sponge brush. To make a 'twisted' design on your mailbox attach a strip of tissue paper directly to the tissue box with a dap of glue. Dip the sponge brush into a dish of watered down glue (you don't need very much water to water down glue, about 1/4th part water). Stroke the brush over a part of the tissue paper strip and then twist it and glue the rest of it down. Make sure that it isn't a straight line. If the strips don't adhere to the gloss on the tissue box, you might want to cover it with brown paper bag first. Keep attaching strips in a like manner so that different colors are 'twisting' around the box. The twisting of the paper in application will give the box a texture, as well as the way it is glued down. Because this craft is better with a lack of precision it is perfect for younger kids without a lot of dexterity.

Your kids can decorate the box with glitter, flowers, or drawings. If you have extra Valentine cards or ones left over from last year, you can glue those on too and make borders around them with different colored fabric paint.

3. Candy holder

What's Valentine's day without candy? Well, there are several ways to make a unique candy holder. For young kids you can use 1 1/2 paper plates, stapled closely together so it forms a pocket and decorated. For slightly older kids you can find empty lotion containers that are in a jar from that have wide tops or purchase an unfinished small wooden tray at a craft store. Makes sure they are cleaned properly before using. Line the jar with wax paper and cover it with a valentine print fabric, gluing the edges inside the jar under the wax paper. The design of the jar will create different effects. A taller jar can hold lollipops, and a short wide jar can hold hard candies. Decorate with ribbon or even the beaded Heart. With a wooden tray your kids can paint a design in the bottom and sides with craft paint. Make sure you seal it with a varnish before using. It would also be a good idea only to put wrapped candies in it unless you use a 'food' safe varnish.

Enjoy!