Valentine Crafts for Young Children

Valentine's Day may be regarded as the holiday for sweethearts, but even young children can express their love for parents and grandparents by making these easy Valentine crafts.

What grandparent would not be charmed to receive a photo framed by a heart? Have your youngster put together this cute photo Valentine craft that could be either a wall hanging or a refrigerator magnet with minor adjustments.

Supplies needed:
Red, pink, or white construction paper or card stock
Scissors
12-inch long piece of 1/8 inch wide red satin ribbon
Craft glue
Black marker
Child's photo
Heart stickers (optional)
Adhesive-backed magnet (optional)

From the construction paper or card stock, cut one 6-by-6 inch square and two 3-by-3 inch squares. Fold each square in half and trace half of a heart along the fold. Cut along the line through both thicknesses to make a heart when unfolded.

Cut around the child's figure, eliminating the background. Glue the photo in the center of the large heart. If desired, put heart-shaped stickers around the photo.

On the smaller hearts print the words "Love" and "You" with the black marker.

Fold the ribbon so that one section is longer than the other section and glue the fold of the ribbon on the back of the large heart. Glue the smaller hearts on the ends of the ribbon so that the words may be seen. If desired, attach an adhesive-backed piece of magnet to the back of the large heart to make this Valentine craft into a refrigerator magnet.

The second Valentine craft your young child could make is the heart chain shown in the photo. This chain would look decorative draped over a window sill or hung as a garland across a bulletin board or mirror. You can use a larger houseplant as a Valentine 'tree' by wrapping this heart garland around it.

Supplies needed:

Red, pink, or white construction paper or card stock
Scissors
1/8-inch wide red satin ribbon or red, pink, or white yarn cut in the length wished
Craft glue
Paper punch

From the construction paper or card stock cut several 3-by-3 inch squares. Fold each in half and trace half a heart shape along the fold. Cut along the line through both thicknesses.

With the paper punch, make two holes on opposite sides and near the top of each heart (see photo). Thread the ribbon or yarn through both holes of each heart, alternating colors if wished. Glue the end of the ribbon to the back of the last heart on either end.

The last Valentine craft idea for young children is another photo frame magnet for Grandma's refrigerator. Surround a special photo with hearts and give it with love.

Supplies needed:

Red, pink, or white construction paper or card stock
Scissors
Photo of the child
6-inch diameter paper dessert plate
Craft glue
Adhesive-backed magnet

Cut six 3-by-3 inch squares from construction paper or card stock. As before, fold the squares, trace a half heart on the fold, and cut it out along the line.

Glue the photo in the center of the paper plate. Around the outside of the photo glue the hearts in place so that they look like flower petals, with the photo as the center of the flower.

Put the adhesive-backed magnet on the back of the paper plate. You may need more than one magnet because of the weight of the project.

Any one of these Valentine crafts are easy enough for a young child to construct, maybe with a little help, and will be a nice surprise for a parent or grandparent. Have fun crafting!