Did you know…
Over 190 million Valentine’s Day cards are sent in the U.S. each year!
Today’s Activity: Make homemade Valentines
Through the ages, people have made their own Valentines to give away.
Optional: Craft mat or corrugated cardboard, craft knife, gold paint and a paint brush (to paint doilies if desired)
Here are some ideas:
Victorian Pin-prick cards can be made with cardstock or construction paper, a design of your choosing, a pencil, a pushpin, and a craft mat or corrugated cardboard.
Decide on the size and shape you want your card to be, then on the back side of the front of your card, draw a design with a pencil. Using the pushpin, pop small holes in the paper all around the pencil lines. Place a craft mat or a piece of thick corrugated cardboard under your card to allow the pushpin to go through more easily. When you have finished making holes in the design, turn your card over to see the results.
Tip: Use the full length of the pushpin so that each hole can be seen more clearly.
Doily Cards can be made with cardstock or construction paper, doilies, glue, scissors, dried flowers, glitter, stickers, clip art, and other craft supplies.
Cut out a heart and glue it to the middle of a doily, then decorate the middle of the heart any way you like.
Tip: Other Valentine’s Day related images can be put in the middle such as cupids, arrows, and flowers.
Sewn cards can be made with cardstock or construction paper, a hole punch, ribbon or yarn and tape, or needle and thread.
Cut out the shape you want, pop holes around the outside of the card with a hole punch, put tape on one end of a length of yarn or ribbon, and sew around the card. Finish off at the top of the heart with a bow and cut off any excess material.
Another idea is to make a shape or design with a pencil on the front of the card and use a needle and thread to outline your pencil design.
Tip: Keep your pencil marks light so they can not be seen on the final product.
Fold and Cut Cards can be made with construction or copy paper, or cardstock, a pencil, and a scissor.
Fold a piece of paper in half and draw half of a heart. A heart template cut in half can help you do this. Cut the heart shape out and keep it folded. Draw a design to cut out with a scissor.
Tip: For more detailed cut-outs, use a cuticle scissor or a craft knife. This idea is similar to cutting a paper snowflake.
Question of the day:
How do other countries celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Learn more:
History.com: Valentine’s Day
Watch videos about Valentines’ Day
Wikipedia: Valentine’s Day
Learn about the history and origins of Valentine’s Day and what other countries do to celebrate this holiday
The Toy Maker: Valentine’s Day
Printable (PDF) Valentine’s Day boxes, puzzles, wrappers, cards, ornaments, and more
Coloring WS: Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages
This site has coloring pages for Valentine’s Day that include: Hearts, cupid, dot to dots, flowers, and more
The Spruce Crafts: 543 Free Valentine’s Day Coloring Pages
This page offers links to other sites that have printable coloring and activity pages.
Number Loving: Number Love
A variety of math activities with a Valentine’s Day theme.
The Old Farmers Almanac: Flower Meanings: The Language of Flowers
Learn the symbolism of flowers, hers, and other plants
Good Housekeeping: 50 Beautiful Flower Meanings That Will Surprise You
Article offers pictures and meanings
FranW.com: Heart Activities
Origami projects and crafts that use hearts to make fun things.
FranW.com 