Valentines Day 52 Reasons I Love You Book

This adorable Valentines craft is ideal for upper elementary students to make and take home to their parents. Not only does it take some thinking, it allows kids to express their creativity and personal sense of style.

Brainstorming
Before beginning the project spend time brainstorming with kids about the reasons we love someone. Explore many aspects such as personality traits, things that make them special and the things they do for them. Children tend to focus on what parents do for them, which can certainly be included, but encourage older children to look beyond what their parents do for them.

Old Magazines
Gather an assortment of old magazines, calendars or any other printed material. Students will use these cut out images and words to express the reasons they love their parents. Keep in mind the personalities and interests of both parents and students and choose magazines that will appeal to everyone. You may wish to ask students to bring in old magazines, as well.

Deck of Cards
Provide each child with a deck of cards. You may wish to ask them to bring them from home, but be sure to have an extra deck or two for those who forget. Cards do not need to be new as used cards can be used for this project as long as they are in good shape.

Instructions
Explain to students that the deck of cards will be the base of their book of 52 reasons they love their parents and that they will be pasting images and words on the numbered side of the card.

Punching Holes
Punch two holes in the left hand side of each card. These will be used to assemble the book and should not be covered with images or words. Provide students with a manila envelope or a folder for holding all their materials.

Clipping Images
Allow children to cut images and words from magazines to create a simple message on each page. They may choose to clip an image of someone smiling and write "I love your smile." or "You make me smile." Clipping words from the magazines and arranging them into sentences creates as attractive book-but you may wish to allow students to hand write the message instead.

As students complete pages of their book, they should tuck them into their folder until it is time to assemble the book.

Assembling the Book
Once all pages are completed, provide each student with two 6-inch sections of red or pink ribbon. Thread the ribbon through the punched holes and tie securely to hold the book together.

Decorate the outside of the book with hearts or other images and include the title "52 Reasons I Love You."

Feel free to adapt the number of pages and title it accordingly. You may wish to use only the hearts to create a smaller book for younger children.