Don't Forget the Kids Crafts on Valentine's Day!

Let's face it. Valentine's Day may be one of the most romantic days of the year for lovers, but let's not leave the kids out of this. There is fun to be had by all, romance or not.

The history of Valentines Day is really unclear. There seemed to be several Saints in the Catholic history that could have started this tradition. But it is clear that it is a holiday where little notes complete with hearts, cupids and sentiments are appropriate. How can we involve kids in this?

Well kids love to make cards. And Valentine's Day is the perfect event for this. All you need is some construction paper, pens and colored pencils, scissors, glue, glitter and the child's imagination. You can just give the older child all the supplies and they will come up with inspired works of arts and creations, but younger children may need a bit of guidance and help.

Also a wonderful idea that any kid would love is making decorated sugar cookies. Kids love making cookies, you add heart cookie cutters, frosting and a few little heart decorations and you are good to go. First you will need the sugar cookies. There are many recipes to make them from scratch on the internet. Just Google sugar cookie and all sorts pop up. You could take a short cut and buy a sugar cookie mix or cookie dough already made from your local grocery store and just follow the directions and cut them out. While you are in the baking isle of your grocery store check out the cookie and cake decorations that are there. You will find frosting in different colors and flavors as well as sprinkles of all shapes and sizes. You can also purchase the tubes of frosting that your child can write on their cookie with so they can personalize it with words and names. This is a wonderful idea for any kid or grown up. I mean really, who doesn't like to eat what they create when it is sweet and yummy?

A child can also make a very simple bon-bon candy dipped in chocolate with a bit of guidance. This falls into the same category as the cookies. You can dip just about anything though. Right down to rice crispy treats. But a bon-bon just sounds so Valentinesy.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bonbons

Ingredients:

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 Tbsp. butter, softened

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chipsInstructions:

In large bowl, combine peanut butter, powdered sugar, and butter and mix well; form into 1 inch balls.

Melt semisweet chips and 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips together in a glass measuring cup in microwave on medium power about 2 minutes, stirring once, until melted and smooth. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips and stir constantly until smooth (this will temper the chocolate).

Dip each filling into melted chocolate mixture and set on waxed paper. Let stand until chocolate is firm, and then store tightly covered at room temperature. You can also place in the refrigerator if your child, or you, are a bit impatient for them to set.

But wait a minute here. These can also be decorated. The same little sprinkles and shapes you got for your cookies can be sprinkled on top of the chocolate before it sets to add that little bit of Valentine's Day to your bonbons.

Remember there are tons of varieties of bonbons out there, and a lot of the ideas are easy enough for a child to make. Again, just Google bon-bon recipes and you will have a ton of ideas!

Remember also that a lot of times kids don't need the elaborate craft idea. They would be happy to sit and color valentines pictures and plaster them all over your refrigerator. You can find pages to be printed out all over the internet for kids for Valentine's Day. Kid's Domain is a great place to start and has a lot to choice from.

The thing to remember is that this is a holiday that the kids enjoy too. Make them part of the card and candy giving and they will enjoy it. Remember also to give them cards! They will think themselves very special to receive a valentine from a loved one! But just spending time, sitting at the table coloring with your kids will make the Valentine's Day special for them, and one they will always remember.