A Gift From the Heart

by Kelley Schneider, League Member

I don't know about you, but holidays are the best excuse to share my love of crafting with my two-and-a-half-year-old, Charlotte. Crafting is the perfect way to teach my toddler about an upcoming holiday well before it is here. From helping her identify the basics, such as the colors associated with a holiday, to traditions like giving flowers to someone we love, crafting is the perfect platform to build your child’s understanding while providing some mommy and me time. Charlotte is a Messy Bessy and has been on a painting kick, so here are two fun Valentine's Day activities that won’t just keep your kiddo busy but teach them that the best gifts are from the heart.

Craft One: Hearts, Hearts, and More Hearts

Materials:

• Heart-shaped cookie cutters (I found mine at Target for $3.)

• Washable tempera paint (red, pink, purple)

• Paper Plate

• White paper (I used paint paper)

• Sharpie

Set Up: Draw a large heart filling the paper with the sharpie. Pour the paint on a paper plate and place cookie cutters for easy access.

Step 1: Clearly state your expectations to your child and who it is for (only put the cookie cutters in the paint, paint goes on the paper, today is not a finger painting day)

Step 2: Demonstrate how to use the cookie cutters in the paint.

Step 3: Throw on an art smock and let your little artist go.

Step 4: Allow the paint to dry.

Step 5: Cut out the heart and write a sweet note- don't forget your child’s name and date.

Craft Two: Flowers for Grandma

Materials:

• Toilet paper rolls

• Scissors

• Construction paper

• Washable tempera paint (red, pink, purple)

• Crayons

• Glue

Set Up: Pour paint on a paper plate. Cut the bottom third of the toilet paper rolls, press it against your hand or table (be sure the slices face out), then place by the paint.

Step 1: Clearly state your expectations of your child and whom it is a gift for.

Step 2: Demonstrate how to use the toilet paper rolls in the paint.

Step 3: Throw on an art smock and let your little artist go

Note: This is a great time to discuss how flowers are symbolic of Valentine's Day and share a memory of when you received flowers.

Step 4: Allow the paint to dry.

Step 5: Use a yellow crayon in the middle of the flowers- feel free to add stems.

Step 6: Cut around flowers and a vase, then glue them together.

Step 7: Write a sweet note- don't forget your child’s name and date.