Top Five "Green" Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

For this Valentine's Day, why not teach your children some crafts that use recycled items or edible materials? This is a great way to teach your children to be more conscious about how they affect Mother Earth while also having fun and making Valentine's Day gifts. Aren't sure where to get started? Read on for my top five "Green" Valentine's Day crafts for kids.

CD Valentines

Materials

Used CD's (Like those you get in the mail.)
Paper (Reuse packing paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, magazines, etc.)
Confetti (Color the front and back of small squares of paper, then cut them up into tiny pieces.)
Decorations (Search the house for buttons, beads, ribbons, yarn and anything else you can reuse. You can even save things like this just for crafts.)
Cut out Pictures from Magazines (and from photos if you like)
Scissors
Markers/Crayons
Glue

1. Cover any writing on the CD with paper you have colored with markers or crayons as well as confetti and/or cut-out pictures.
2. Apply decorations to the side without paper, leaving enough space to write a short message.
3. Wait until everything dries and then write your Valentine's Day message in permanent marker.
4. Tie a ribbon or piece of yarn on to the CD for hanging.

Paper Valentines

Materials

Cardboard (Reuse boxes of all types.)
Paper (Reuse packing paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, magazines, etc.)
Confetti (Color the front and back of small squares of paper, then cut them up into tiny pieces.)
Decorations (Search the house for buttons, beads, ribbons, yarn and anything else you can reuse. You can even save things like this just for crafts.)
Cut out Pictures from Magazines (and from photos if you like)
Glue
Markers/Crayons
Scissors

1. Prepare your materials.
2. Cut cardboard to the size you want your valentine's to be. If cardboard has writing on one side, just glue to pieces together, back to back.
3. Draw hearts (and other designs if you wish) on the paper and/or cardboard, color and then cut them out.
4. Glue decorations and cut-out designs on to cardboard.
5. Wait until dry and then write your Valentine's Day message.
6. Add a piece of yarn or ribbon if you want to hang the Valentine.

Wooden Valentines

Materials

Popsicle sticks
Paper (Reuse packing paper, newspaper, wrapping paper, magazines, etc.)
Confetti (Color the front and back of small squares of paper, then cut them up into tiny pieces.)
Decorations (Search the house for buttons, beads, ribbons, yarn and anything else you can reuse. You can even save things like this just for crafts.)
Cut out Pictures from Magazines (and from photos if you like)
Glue
Markers/Crayons
Scissors

1. Prepare materials.
2. Line up Popsicle sticks in a row, touching one another. Make row as large as a Popsicle stick laid the opposite direction.
3. Glue Popsicle sticks, in the opposite direction, on top of that row.
4. Draw designs on paper then color and cut them out.
5. Write your Valentine's Day messages on small strips of paper and cut out.
6. Glue message, decorations and cut-out designs to the Popsicle sticks.

Valentine's Box

Materials

Shoe box
Paper (Reuse packing paper, wrapping paper, newspaper, magazines, etc.)
Confetti (Color the front and back of small squares of paper, then cut them up into tiny pieces.)
Decorations (Search the house for buttons, beads, ribbons, yarn and anything else you can reuse. You can even save things like this just for crafts.)
Cut out Pictures from Magazines (and from photos if you like)
Glue
Markers/Crayons
Scissors
Water
Old Paint Brush

1. Mix 2 parts glue with 1 part water, set aside.
2. Draw designs on paper then color and cut them out.
3. Brush glue mixture over outside section of box then press paper designs, making sure to overlap and cover entire area. Do this until the outside of the box is completely covered. Let dry.
4. Brush glue mixture over each covered area and let dry.
5. Glue other decorations to your Valentine's box and let dry.
6. Use to hold your valentines.

Cookie Valentines

Materials

Sugar cookie dough
Cake design frosting tubes
Candy sprinkles
Heart-shaped cookie cutter(s)

1. Flatten dough and cut out hearts with your cookie cutter. (You can also form larger hearts with your hands.)
2. Bake cookies.
3. Let cookies cool.
4. Use frosting to outline hearts and to write your Valentine's Day messages.

This Valentine's Day, show a little love to Mother Earth and keep in mind that there are tons of eco-friendly crafts for every holiday of the year!