With the upcoming love holiday, it’s fun to get festive with the kids. From baking to crafting, we have a round-up of simple activities that you’ll enjoy with your kids.
Sweet Treats
1. Heart-Shaped Iced Sugar Cookies – Anna sure does know how to make a good cookie. Check out her post on how to make these amazingly delicious cookies…with your little helpers!
2. Kiss Treats – Cute and yummy, sweet and salty – this a perfect union. Make some this afternoon, for a special dessert, or a school party! Check out Katie’s blog post and notice that she just switched the color of her M&M so it can be festive for all occasions.
3. Valentine’s Granola Parfaits – These are wonderful as a healthy snack or side to dinner! And how adorable are they in the mason jars? Nicky breaks it down on her recent blog post.
4. Valentine’s Trail Mix – Need a great idea of something easy to mix up for a school party or an afternoon chocolate craving? Katie put this mix together for her daughter’s school and it was a hit. Check out the link for her full blog post!
5. Heart Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies – Peanut butter and chocolate are a perfect combination. Simply get a peanut butter cookie recipe (courtesy of Betty Crocker or make your own from scratch) and follow the regular baking directions. Once they are done baking, let them sit for a few minutes to cool and then add a heart shaped chocolate on top! These are delightful and you might have to stop yourself from eating them all!
Creative Crafts
1. “I Love You” Cards – These easy and simple cards are perfect for a grandparent and easy to make with your children! Simply trace your child’s hand on any paper, cut it out (or have an older child practice using scissors) and then glue down the two middle fingers, like it is signing “I love you.” Glue onto a different colored page to give it contrast. Write a note and put it in the mail!
2. Heart Shaped Crayons – Kids like to peel the wrappers off crayons anyway, right? Lindsey breaks down the “recipe” to make these colorful hearts – perfect to use for fun or to giveaway as cards to friends!
3.Heart Photo Holder Board – This is perfect for year round, but can be done especially for Valentine’s Day and then you can add sweet momentos of reasons why you love your child(ren)! Let your child pick out the fabric and ribbons, to truly personalize this project!
Supplies: (1) foam board, fabric (enough to cover the board in the shape of a heart), ribbon, push pins
Directions: Cut out the desired shape and size. Cover with fabric (glue, tape or staple). Lay your ribbon out in two directions, so they cross at various points on your board. Pull the ribbon tight so it will hold what you choose to display. At each “intersection”, put a push pin to secure. Hang in your child’s room and enjoy!
4. Playdough – This simple recipe is perfect for little hands to help with and then play with as a result of their help!
Follow this recipe:
2 c. flour
2 c. water
1 c. salt
2 T. cooking oil
4 T. cream of tartar
food coloring
Begin with cold water, oil, food coloring and heat. Gradually add flour and the rest of the ingredients. Stir with wire whisk. Cook until the mixture becomes sticky. Let cool and knead. Store in a ziploc bag.
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Then you can let your kids play with it with heart shaped cookie cutters or form into smaller balls (wrap in plastic wrap or put into ziploc bags) to give to school friends! Here is a PlaydoughPrintable!
5. Paper Heart Craft – This was easy and fun to do with kids! Print off a Heart Page and collect any fun craft accessories you have. We simply used tissue paper and glitter, but you could do pom-poms, sequins, or anything you have on hand.
Cut or rip the paper into small sizes and let your kids glue them on within the heart on the page. Then add more glue and glitter (or any of the other crafty items you have). This is also a good time for older kids to practice patterns or staying in the lines. The kids will enjoy making something to hang on the wall just in time for Valentine’s day OR it could be a sweet card for Dad – write “I love you to pieces!” and sign his or her name.
Are you getting crafty or serving some sweet treats? We want to see! Use the hashtag #okcmbvalentines so we can see your creativity!
