Valentine Butterfly: An Easy Craft for Kids

Sweethearts Conversation Hearts have been a part of Valentine's Day since NECCO began producing them in 1902. This staple holiday candy is the inspiration behind this easy-to-make Valentine's Day craft, a Valentine Butterfly.

You will need (for each butterfly):
2 pieces of pink construction paper or cardstock
Pencil
Scissors
Glue
1 - 12" bamboo stick (You could also use heavy cardboard or an old ruler).
Different colored construction paper or cardstock (there are 4 different colors in the example. You can use more or less).
Marker
Black construction paper (you could also use pipe cleaners if you so choose).

Directions:

To make the 2 wings, place the pink construction paper horizontally on a flat surface and fold in half vertically. Draw a half heart with the point at the bottom and the point in the center of the curved top touching the inside fold. Cut along the line you traced. Repeat with the second piece of paper (To ensure equal sized hearts, use the first heart to trace the second one).

Place the 2 hearts together side by side so that the bottom points join up (they will look like wings). Line up the creases created by the fold. Join together with glue. Take your bamboo stick (or whatever you chose to use) and place it vertically down the center of the butterfly (where you have just glued the two hearts together).

Take your different colored construction paper. Using the same technique as when you made your heart wings, make smaller hearts. You should be able to get 4 hearts to a piece of paper. You will need 8 hearts for each butterfly.

Using your marker, write a saying on each of the hearts. Examples include, "Be Mine," "Sweetheart," "I'm Yours," etc.

Arrange the smaller hearts to form the body of your butterfly. Glue these hearts to the stick that you have already glued to the wings. Next, arrange the hearts that you want on your wings, and then attach with glue.

Cut 2 thin strips of black construction paper. Attach these to the top heart on the body of the butterfly.

This is a great craft for kids. Not only is it simple to make, it doesn't require expensive materials nor is it time consuming. If the kids are home from school due to bad weather and are starting to get cabin fever, this is a great idea for a much needed distraction.