Valentine’s Day really sneaks up on us moms. It feels as if we are just getting settled from the mayhem of Christmas and all of a sudden this pesky little holiday appears out of nowhere demanding chocolates, class treats, crafts and an explosion of pink and red.
Fear not fellow procrastinators, I’ve compiled some ideas the kids will love. Bonus: you will love them as well because they are simple, easy to recreate and take mere minutes. Music to our ears, right?
Have you volunteered to bring snacks and/or an activity to the class party?
I’ve got you covered.
Look like you are the ultimate Pinterest mom with treats disguised as the “Love Robot.” What is so great about this snack is it guarantees to elicit smiles from the little ones, but more importantly it only means gathering supplies rather than baking and icing. For those reasons alone, I’m in!
What you will need:
- Juice boxes
- Mini raisin boxes
- Individual jello cups
- Heart suckers (could also use any lollipop, Smarties, wrapped mini Twizzlers)
- Construction paper
- Sticky eyes
- Tape
- Heart Stickers
How to execute
Start with the mini raisin boxes and place on their side to act as the feet of the robot. Tape together. Then wrap the juice box in construction paper and secure with tape (this step is absolutely not necessary if you are short on time). Secure the juice box to the “feet.” Next, stick on the heart suckers to the sides of the juice box as well the Jello on top for the head. Tack on the eyes.
The “Love Robot” can be complete here if you so choose, and they will be absolutely adorable. For extra cuteness, I gave one robot a bow tie simply by taking a small square of black construction paper, folding it like an accordion, wrapping it with a small cut pipe cleaner and sticking it to the top of the juice box. With another piece of left over pipe cleaner I also made a little bow for the girl robot and glued on. Lastly, accessorize with a heart sticker.
This project is perfect to have the kids help construct. It takes only a few minutes and is enough of a treat to satisfy everyone for the entire class party. Most importantly, it will be completed quicker than the time it takes for the oven to preheat for the cookies you never had to bake!
Snack. Check. Now for the activity.
Candy Heart Tic Tac Toe
This handy little activity is great to always have top of mind for class parties. It can be seasonalized for any and all holidays, but it’s especially cute for Valentine’s Day. Not to mention, it’s so simple it’s almost laughable.
What you will need:
- Graham cracker squares
- Icing tubes (with fine tips)
- Candy hearts
Yep, that is really all you have to gather. The lack of shopping and searching needed is what truly makes my heart go pitter patter this season!
How to execute
If the students are too young to pipe, you can complete the first step of making the grid at home or for them. Part of the fun, however, is letting the kids create their own game board. Simply squeeze out icing to make the lines. Assign each player a different color candy and tic tac toe their hearts out!
Want to tackle a fun project together with minimal supplies?
I’ve got you covered.
Ah, the joy and ease of pipe cleaners. When it comes to crafts with kids, these little gems are like the duct tape of household fixes. They work for everything. Or maybe it’s just in my house. These three quick projects will get the imaginations working and are perfect for little hands to join in on the fun.
Party Wearables
Make these for the class party or as a way to liven up a family dinner celebration!
What you will need:
- Pipe Cleaners
- Hershey’s Kisses
How to execute:
The first project is a pair of “I Heart You Glasses”. You will need three pipe cleaners. I chose the ever festive hot pink. Take the first and fold in half, crimping the fold slightly. Wrap the two ends together to form a heart. Repeat with a second pipe cleaner to form two hearts in total. Snip with scissors about one inch off of the third piece. Use the one inch section to tie the two hearts together. The remaining of the third pipe cleaner will then be clipped in half and tied to the sides of the hearts. Curl the ends to help the glasses stay behind the child’s (or parent’s if you so choose) ears.
Bonus feature: I added a second type of pipe cleaner (a larger, “fluffier” one) on top of the skinny ones for some extra Elton John-like flavor. Because, obviously. Construct and secure in the same manner. Only use, however, for the “glasses” and not the sides.
A second wearable is a “Bling Ring”, the only accessory fabulous enough for such glasses.
Criss-cross two pipe cleaners to form an “x.” Place a Hershey’s Kiss where the two intersect and wind all four sides up around the sides and twist together at the top of the chocolate. You have just created the “bling”. Turn the point of the Kiss down toward the ground, with the four tails pointing up. Wrap two of the tails clockwise around your finger, and the other two the opposite. Twist where they intersect and cut off any excess.
Just Because It’s Cute
And because you’ll have a ton of pipe cleaners still to use! Make “Cupid’s Bow and Arrow” as a final activity with your love bugs. Take a pipe cleaner and form a small heart at one end. Cut a triangle out of construction paper and glue to the other end. This forms the arrow. Make a set of three or four.
For the bow, tie one pipe cleaner on each end of a straw.
Lastly, rummage up a toilet paper roll, wrap in construction paper and glue. Secure a piece of ribbon or twine at each end and you’ll have a carrier for all of those arrows. Have your children decorate how they choose!
There you have it moms! All of the bases will be covered this holiday season, no Pinterest-ing needed, which means extra time to enjoy all of the leftover party candy.
