Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching. That means your kids will be asking to make special Valentine's Day gifts for close friends and family. Instead of making a conventional and predictable paper valentine, try this craft project with your kids. Your kids will be excited to present loved ones with a unique Valentine's Day gift and you'll be recycling your old cardboard egg cartons and scrap materials in the process.

For this craft project you'll need:
1 cardboard egg carton (18 egg count)
Newspaper
Scissors
Acrylic paint (red, pink, or white)
Artificial flowers
Cord, ribbon, or lace (your choice)
Glue gun or craft glue
30 minutes of your time

Cut The Heart Out: Begin this craft project by cutting the egg carton in half. (When finished, you should have 9 egg cups on each piece.) You will need only one half of the egg carton to make a heart. Flip the egg carton so that the underside of the carton is facing up.

Form the bottom of the heart by cutting off one egg cup on either side of the last row. This will leave only one cup in the center. The middle row of egg cups stays intact. To shape the top of the heart, just cut out the center cup on the first row. Trim the edges as needed. Your project should now look like a heart.

Paint The Heart: The next step to making this Valentine's Day craft project with your kids is to give the heart some color. Lay out the newspaper before beginning to prevent your table from becoming a craft project as well! Using the acrylic paint, have your child paint the underside (the part that bumps up) and the sides of the egg carton. Allow the heart to dry completely. One of the benefits of using acrylic paint is it will be dry in about 15 minutes.

Helpful Tip: To prevent smudges on the project and to keep your child's hands from being coated with paint, have him or her hold onto the cup dividers on the inside of the carton while painting.

Make The Heart Pretty: While waiting for the paint to dry, help your child decide on the materials for decorating the heart. This craft project can be made from scraps of lace, ribbon, cord, or whatever else you find around the house.

Once your Valentine's Day craft project is completely dry, it's time to decorate. Begin by wrapping the outer edges of the heart with the cord, lace, or ribbon your child has chosen. Attach this trim by using the glue gun or craft glue. Next, add the artificial flowers to the heart. In between each of the egg cups, there should be small holes in the carton. If not, poke small holes of your own. Insert the flowers in each hole and secure with a small amount of glue. To add the final touch to the heart, tie a bow out of ribbon and glue it at the top.

Displaying the Heart: There's no need to add hooks, string, or any other devices to this craft to show it off. It will stand up on its own. The cup dividers on the inside of the egg carton serve as a support for the valentine.

Kids love to make craft projects. Even more, they love to see the look on a loved one's face when they present something they've created. Make this Valentine's Day craft project with your kids and they'll have a unique gift to offer and have a fun time making it too!