Spread the love this Valentine’s Day with a kid-friendly craft

These homemade valentines make the perfect gift, too!

Valentine’s Day just begs to incorporate pink, red and glitter into a day full of DIY adventures! As a new mom who is not exactly considered “crafty,” I can assure you that this project is so easy that even an infant can do it. To prove it, I tasked my five-month-old daughter, Rowyn, with creating homemade valentines.

One of the things I was most looking forward to after becoming a mother was discovering creative ways to keep my daughter entertained. This mess-free, tactile sensory activity can easily be incorporated into tummy time to help encourage your child to practice their motor skills. Bonus perk: it is fun for all ages with easy-to-find materials. 

Here is what you need: 

• Canvas or white cardstock paper (We opted for a pack of 12 x 12 canvases which was $12.99 at Michaels)
• Washable or non-toxic acrylic paint (We used three different colors: red, pink and white)
• Large Ziplock bag
• Glitter (optional, but encouraged)

Instructions:

1. Use the various colors to randomly add drops across the canvas or cardstock
2. Place the canvas or cardstock in the large Ziplock bag
3. Gently encourage your child to push the paint around with their hands 
4. Add glitter—lots of glitter 

What Valentine’s Day crafts are you creating this year? Share with us on Twitter by tagging @ArizonaEducator or using #AZPBSKIDS. Happy crafting!

Author: Morgan Bircher