Did you make your own valentines as a kid? Or at least get those tear apart character valentines from the store and have to sign each one? And then if you were an obsessive DIYer like me from an early age, you would spend the extra time decorating the envelopes….ok…just me huh…aw-kward!
Well, this year is the first year that we are having to really do the whole Valentine’s Day thing around here. Thinking about how much I loved making, or at least decorating my valentines when I was a kid got me thinking that this would be the perfect way to get my little lady involved. She loves crafts and we spend a lot of time coloring, gluing, and cutting, but not always with a specific project in mind.
So today, I’m heading back in time to when kids made their own valentines. Back to a time before printables (which are really fantastic by the way), and before pinterest bullied me into valentines looking perfect. Today is all about my little girl getting to give out her kid crafted valentines, even if they are a bit wrinkled because she uses way too much glue.
These valentines were inspired by the classic sun catcher art you did as a kid.
You will need: Wax paper, white school glue, a small paint brush, tissue paper (in different shades of reds and pinks,) card stock, scissors, a pencil, and pixie sticks for the arrows.
The first thing we did was make the sun catcher part of the project. My little girl loves doing this part.
Lay out a piece of wax paper and have your little one paint on strips or shapes of tissue paper in all different directions with watered down white glue. (You could use liquid starch, but I could not find it for the life of me.)
It is important to use different colors so you get a stained glass look.
I had my lady make about 3 sheets of this and let them dry over night.
Once the sheets were dry I made a heart template that would be the perfect size to poke my pixie stick through. Then, I traced it onto the back side of our wax paper covered in tissue with the point of a mechanical pencil (without the lead) and cut out each heart.
You will end up with these really pretty sun catcher hearts.
Next you will need to make a second heart template that is about an inch bigger than your sun catcher hearts and use it to cut out hearts from your card stock. Then fold each heart in half and cut out the center leaving a bit over an inch border so that when it lays on the sun catcher heart it covers the edges. (This is how you will glue them together.)
Now for the assembly. I had my little lady paint white glue onto each heart border and then she placed the sun catcher hearts on top, face down. And we let them dry.
This took awhile, but she loved it.
Once they were dry I made 2 small slices in each heart at a diagonal and she helped me slide the pixie sticks in.
While she was gluing before, I had been cutting small triangles for the point of the arrow and feathered chevrons for the fletchings. (I just googled it, it is a real word.)
Finally, she glued the triangles and the fletchings onto each pixie stick and we were done!
She is really excited to give these out to her friends at preschool on Valentine’s Day. She keeps telling her friends that she made a special valentine for each of them and it has a special treat. I like that she is into making things herself and is so proud of her hard work.
There is more where that came from…
Now head on to check out 13 other wonderful Valentine’s projects …
ONE KRIEGER CHICK | THIS IS HAPPINESS
HOUSE BY HOFF | DESIGN DINING AND DIAPERS
THE BLISSFUL BEE | MAKING HOME BASE
PLACE OF MY TASTE | JUST A GIRL AND HER BLOG
RETRO RANCH RENO | THE HAPPY HOUSIE
DRIVEN BY DECOR | TINY SIDEKICK
CREATE.CRAFT.LOVE | DESIGNER TRAPPED IN LAWYER’S BODY
Pixie sticks?! I’m SO in. Especially if we’re using the blue ones because everyone knows that the blue ones are by far the best. I love this craft idea! I was looking for a kid valentine craft that involved arrows. So cute and creative!
I absolutely agree that the blue ones are the best. Maybe get a pack and save the blue ones for yourself? Hahaha. So glad you like this project! It is really fun.
My daughter would LOVE this project! They’re so cute and perfect for school Valentine’s! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
You are so welcome Katie! This was a really fun way to get my little one involved. Have fun!
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before
but after looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Anyways, I’m certainly happy I discovered it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back
regularly!
[…] Heart with arrow through it valentines from Tiny Sidekick […]
Love these, Corey! I spend a lot of time crafting with my kids too, and I totally agree that something they help make is much more meaningful.
WHat a great giveaway!!! And those are some really cute Valentines Decor ideas!!
Thanks Shelly!
Oh yeah I remember those little tear off Valentine cards. I don’t think I decorated the envelopes too much but definitely got into decorating my “shoebox” where other kids would put the valentine cards into. Good times. These are too cute and your daughter is adorable! She did a fantastic job too! Pinned 🙂
I love how these Valentine’s Day cards are all handmade. I know it means so much more when kids make something for themselves.
[…] Kid Crafted Valentines and a $140 Target Gift Card Giveaway ||   My 6 Must Haves on a Blogger’s Business Cards ||   Easy Paint Chip Art […]
My baby’s a little small to be helping with crafts (9 months), but someday… 🙂
How do I love Target? Let me count the ways….. Oh wait, FAR too many to list. I love Target because I could get lost in their decor section for hours and it’s like a little mini vacation (until the reality of my check book hits).
What a GREAT IDEA! I love this. Any kid would love to make these and they turned out so cute. Fabulous valentine, I am sharing with all of my mommy friends
Thanks Sonnet! The hardest part has been keeping my little girl out of the pixie sticks! Ha!
I love target brand grocery products. They’re quality food at a low price. Great for my family and my budget.
I love Target because many times it is one stop shopping for me. And with two little ones and a baby due soon, only having to make one stop to get everything I need is very much appreciated and utilized!
I know the feeling! The less times I can get my little crew in and out of the car, the better!
I Lo ve Target because I can go there and find everything I need from household products to my daughter a red outfit for Valentines day
Me too! Good luck in the giveaway!
I love a craft that my daughter can help with! Thanks for the inspiration! 🙂
Adorable! Love handmade Valentines. These are perfect! So happy to be part of this amazing hop…so much inspiration. XO
These are so cute, Corey! I know your daughter’s friends will love them! It was great to be on this hop with you today! Have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
These are so precious Corey!! I love seeing your little gal in action:) So fun!
Darling! I love projects where the kiddos can get involved! Thanks for sharing, Corey!
These are perfect for little ones!! Pinning!
I love kid friendly crafty projects, Corey. This is just too cute! Thanks for participating in this great blog hop!Hugs~
Durned Rafflecopter is out of commission again !LOL Tried to let it know I signed up or already follow many on Pinterest !LOL OH well
Came across your site a while back and never regretted signing up . Wonderful ideas , tutorials .. Thank you for putting this out there in Cyberland for all of us !
I love this, Corey. Kid-friendly AND adorable! Great job. So happy to be part of this blog hop with you!
Thanks so much for sharing your adorable craft! I’ve got two very crafty girls and we’re always looking for projects that are easy to create. This will come in handy for the snow day I’m pretty sure we’ll have tomorrow. And BTW, your daughter is absolutely adorable.
Might have to try a V-Day project this year!
I love all these valentine crafts, so cute! Thank you so much for the giveaway! I love Target because it’s a one stop shop, I can always find something for everyone in my family 🙂
Amanda @ A Mother’s Craftuition
So cute. I love how creative this is!