By their nature (and that of many holiday crafts) Valentine cards are usually more about the finished product than the process. Which is fine, of course. We do plenty of holiday crafts in our house. And there are so many fun Valentine’s ideas out there.
But being a process over product devotee when it comes to children’s art, I’m always trying to think of ways to make our holiday projects more about the process than the product. Or at least as much about the process as the product. Because there’s no denying that we all think the finished card is important when we’re giving it to friends and family.
So when it came to Valentine cards this year I tried to think of a way to make them fun and interesting for Maia to make, as well as age appropriate (for a 4 year old) and open ended. She’s made a few different kinds so far since she’s not an assembly line kind of gal; her interest and attention span last long enough to make between 1 and 4 of each.
Maia’s favorites so far involved using her hole punch, which is such an awesome kid tool! Here’s how we did it…
How to Make Kids Homemade Valentines
MATERIALS
- Hole punch
- watercolor paper
- ribbon
- embroidery floss
- liquid watercolors (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cut paper into heart shapes
First, I cut out a stack of hearts from thick watercolor paper (card stock would work as well).
2. Paint
If desired, try liquid watercolors on the valentines. Maia painted some with watercolors first and but left some without paint.
3. Hole punch
Maia really enjoyed this step! She punched holes around the edges of the hearts.
4. Thread ribbon
Then lace the holes with ribbon and red embroidery floss.
Her finished valentines are not so polished perhaps, but they are ones that she had a lot of fun making and that she is proud to be able to give to her friends and grandmas.
7 More Kids Homemade Valentines & Craft Ideas
- Valentines Day Photo Cards for Kids
- Last Minute Valentines :: A Melted Crayon Heart Craft
- Faux Stained Glass Valentines with Black Glue
- An Interactive Heart Drawing Activity
- A Valentines Day Art Activity :: Painting a Map of My Heart
- A Valentines Day Bunting with Painted Heart Doilies
- Valentine Butterflies
Do your kids like to make homemade valentines? What do you do to make it as much about the process as the product?
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Agreed! We are working on our preschool Valentine’s here as well. Last year they were hearts printed on card stock that she painted, then we cut them out. This year she has a heart punch (which she is in love with) and she is punching heart shapes out of paint samples -from the hardware store, to make book marks for her her friends. She has chosen the colors and once they are ready we will add a ribbon to the top of each bookmark. A pinterest find that was kid friendly and all about the process :)
I agree! My daughter used wine corks for stamps and glued and drew for this year Valentine’s… http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2013/01/card-making.html And, last year, she colored and heart punched to help as well… http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2012/02/popsicle-stick-valentines.html She, and my son both really get into decorating for the holidays … :) http://buzzmills.typepad.com/blog/2012/02/make-your-own-lacing-cards.html Thanks for sharing all of these great ideas!
I agree! Process oriented art is so much more satisfying. :)
I love it when they get all caught up experimenting with an aspect of the craft we’re doing. They slow down and really focus on the action and not how the lines aren’t going exactly as they want, or the picture doesn’t look like their friend’s picture, or any of a number of other things that you sometimes get with a results-oriented art lesson.
Jean, I think this is such a great post! When I was a preschool teacher, I remember having to balance the process based artwork that I knew was best for creative development with the finished product that the parents wanted to see. It’s not so easy. I did find that cutting a thematic shape from paper and then doing some process oriented art on that usually appeased both desires.
Anyway, thank you for this post! The handmade valentines are always the best ones!
Chrissy
my girl is a great artist
This looks like a great site for some new to try crafts for the kids !!