Budget Friendly Homemade Valentine's Cards to Make with Your Children

Valentine's Day is a special time to show others that you care about them. It is also a good time to show your children that you can make your own unique cards for classmates, friends and family. Use supplies that you have on hand without pinching into your budget.

Supplies needed Construction, cardstock or copy paper. If you have old gift paper that will work , you can use that also. Mono adhesive or glue stick. Add in stickers, glue on gems and buttons. Rubber stamps with designs of hearts, trucks, bugs, dinosaurs or flowers. Recyclable cardboard, shirt packing, cereal or snack boxes can be used also.

My Heart in Your Hand Card Trace a hand for a pattern. Trace and cut out as many hands as you desire for a number of cards in color of choice. Draw a heart pattern that will fit in the center of the paper hands palm. Fold a piece of pink or red paper in half. Trace the heart pattern on to red or pink paper with the very top of the heart on the fold. Cut out the heart and it should be a doubled paper that can be opened with a fold at the top. Cut out the curved v-notch at the top of the heart keeping the folds on both sides. Glue the heart to the palm of the paper hand. Write "My Heart Is In Your Hand" with gel, glitter or other colorful ink on the front of the heart. Open the heart to write a personal message and sign the name of the card giver inside. Turn hand over and draw in finger nails. For a feminine touch you can glue a gem on to the ring finger. For a masculine touch stamp a truck, bug or dinosaur image to look like a tattoo on the back of the hand. Choose more appropriate wording for 'guy' messages instead of my heart is in your hand when needed.

Puzzled This is a fun card for everyone. Glue gift wrap or any type of paper to both sides of the thin recyclable cardboard. Add stickers and write a message on the card. Carefully cut into triangles and squares after it is all throughly dry. Drop pieces into an envelope with the message "I'm puzzled... will you, or won't you be my Valentine? The pieces are a neat little puzzle that the recipient can enjoy putting back together. You can also use photo copies of a personal photo or a message that is a party invitation if desired.

Baby to Grandparents Card Cut a white, pink or pastel blue heart shape from cardstock. Roll a thin layer of non-toxic red paint on your baby's tiny hands or feet and make an imprint of them on to the cardstock heart. Remove paint from baby right away with wet wipe or wash cloth. Let card heart dry thoroughly. Glue the heart shape to the center of a folded piece of cardstock. Write the message Happy Valentine's Day on the outside. Inside the card personaliize the message by writing to the grandparents using the name the baby will call them and sign it from the baby. This will also work for a card that holds a copy of an ultrasound if you want to announce your pregnancy on Valentine's Day.

Sweet Treats for Friends Cut out hearts from construction paper or cardstock. Write a message like, "Here's a Treat for a Sweet Friend." Of course boys would probably prefer, "Here's some junk for a punk" but you as the parent will know what is appropriate. Cut 2 slits in the heart and lace a lollipop stick through them. You can usually get a string of lollipops at the dollar store for less than commercial Valentine's cards cost. You could also staple the heart to a bag of flavored home made popcorn. Remember, some schools allow only healthy treats to be brought for classroom parties. Popcorn will work.

Have fun making home made Valentine's with your children as you encourage them to share with others this year. Maybe they will make one for you too.