Valentine’s Cards Kids Can make

One easy way to decorate a card is to make a design on white or light-colored paper, using a traditional pin-pricking or piercing technique. The result can be as simple or complex as you choose.

• Fairly stiff white paper (lamp shade paper works well; get it white on one side, colored on the other)
• Red construction paper (or other kind of paper)
• A sharp needle or piercer (like a small skewer)
• glue (optional)

Directions:

1. Draw or make a template first and trace around a heart for your basic outside shape.
2. Create a simple pattern. Embroidery books can give you some ideas. You can draw this freehand or create one pattern and trace it at even intervals.
3. Use the utility knife to make straight and curved cuts (this should be done by an adult); use the needle or skewer to pierce holes. Make sure to go all one way from back to front of the surface you want to show.
4. On straight lines that have been cut, use the needle to raise one edge of each line open to a slit. On curved lines, use the needle to roll the curve to the inside and open it up so the card color will show through.
5. Glue baby’s breath, other dried flowers, or small silk flowers to the back of your heart, so they extend out the top.
6. Glue the pierced heart to a card of contrasting color (white on red is nice), putting glue on the outer edges only. Glue a small bow to the top.
7. Write a message on the front and inside.
8. Do not flatten. Deliver your card in a small box.

2. Laced Heart

To make this Valentine’s Day card, kids “lace up their hearts” for someone special in their life.

Materials:

• Poster board or heavy construction paper in valentine colors (white, pink, red, purple)
• Hole punch
• Tape
• Ribbon in contrasting colors
• Photo of your child (optional)
• Glue (optional)
• Magnet (optional)

Directions:

1. Cut a large heart shape out of poster board or heavy construction paper.
2. Punch an even number of holes around the outside edge of the heart.
3. Tape one end of a ribbon between two holes, leaving an inch or two free to make a bow later, and show your child how to weave the ribbon through the holes, starting at either the bottom or top of the heart.
4. Tie the ends in a bow.
5. Help your child write a valentine’s message on the heart.
6. If you like, glue a photo of your child to the front of the heart and a magnet to the back.

Thanks to fun.familyeducation.com for these great ideas! Looking for more ideas? Read more.

Global Montessori has been providing daycare, preschool and elementary in Langley and surrounding areas for the past 27 years. In addition to daycare programs, Global Montessori also provides before and after care for kindergarten and elementary children for parents who require the extra care.