Valentines Crafts - Getting Kids Involved

Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to let your children's creativity run wild. Kids love to make crafts for the important people in their lives, what better time to channel that creative energy into gifts? Valentine's Day gifts can be as simple or as extravagant as the child likes, it can be a simple piece of red paper with "I Love You" written in glitter for a young child or a complicated lap quilt made with love by a teenager. What ever the gift, it is sure to be treasured by the recipient forever.

When working with children it is important to let this be their project, while offering suggestions is often helpful, be careful not to give into the temptation to do it for them and therefore, making it "perfect". Young children like to get their hands dirty, a finger painting project is a good beginner gift. Perhaps the easiest project to do with children under the age of five is to cut out a heart for them, fancy scissors produce a nice effect. Set out a couple of color choices for them, not too many or the project will end up an unflattering shade of brown.

When the table is set up for them, allow them to use the finger paints to create their masterpieces. When they have finished, a sprinkling of glitter will add just the right amount of sparkle to their Valentine. Most kids will appreciate the glitter touch. When the project has had time to dry completely, there are a number of ways to finish it off before giving as a gift.

Magnets are always useful, especially for Grandmas, Aunts and teachers. Magnets are available in sheet sizes that are easy to cut through. If the Valentine is made of paper, this is the best type of backing to use as it will not rip easily. For a gift that is made of a heavier material such as plastic, magnet strips will work well.

A great idea for older children is to help them to make candles. While this may sound a bit too complicated, this candle is as easy as it gets.
The items that will be needed are:
A milk carton (pint size from school are perfect)
A candle wick and anchor
A pencil
Paraffin wax
Coloring (if desired)
Scent (if desired)
Ice cubes
Once all of the ingredients have been gathered, its time to start. Begin by rinsing the milk carton well, next place the wick and anchor into the bottom of the carton, make sure the wick is longer than the carton is tall, wrap excess wick around a pencil and place the pencil on top of the carton for stability when pouring the wax. The next step requires an adult, melt the paraffin wax until liquid, this is the step where the coloring and the scent are added if they are desired. When the wax is melted, fill the milk carton with the ice cubes. Pour the wax over the ice cubes to the top of the milk carton. Now let it cool, this will usually happen over night.

When the wax is completely cooled, peel the milk carton away. What is revealed is a beautiful candle that has the look of lace. As the ice cubes melt and the wax cools, it creates empty spaces in the candle, very pretty. Trim the wick, tie with a bow and this is ready for gift giving.

NOTE: When ever dealing with heat or melted wax an adult must be present, even for older children.

This year skip the chocolates and perfume, give the gift of love. Give a gift that was made from the heart.