Babysitters writes:

There are so many creative ideas out there for making your own valentines that there’s no need to buy pre-made options.  Your child can put their own spin on the valentines, making them personalized and unique.  Together with your child, you can make several different kinds of valentines.  The easiest ones are the ones that you can print at home and cut apart.   If you want to get a little more involved, you can make regular card style valentines with sayings that your kids pick out.   Or, if you want to get even more creative, there are all sorts of 3-D cards that will really ‘WOW’ the recipient.  And if you want to be more generous with the treat, you can make bag toppers and give out goodie bags full of treats to all of your valentines.  Take a look at these 20 blog entries to get some ideas.

Printables

If you are trying to save some money or you forgot to get valentines and are trying to put something together last minute, these printable valentines would be ideal for you.  You can print them off on your own printer on cardstock and cut them apart with scissors or a paper trimmer.  Have your child write their name on each card and you are ready to roll.  Check out these five blog posts to see what your choices are.

• Valentines for Grandparents
• Free Printable Valentine
• Printable Tinkerbell Valentine’s Day Card
• You Are Totally Kool Valentine Handmade Valentine and Free Printable Valentine Card Tag
• 101 Valentine’s Day Printables {Free}

Card Style

If your kids want to step it up a notch, they can make folding cards.  This might appeal to some kids because they will look more like the type of cards you can buy at a store.  You can get two cards from one piece of 8 ½ by 11 cardstock.  If you want to put the cards in envelopes, you will need A2 size envelopes.  These five blogs will go into more detail on how to make some handmade cards.

• Easy Doily Valentines
• Homemade Valentines Kids Ideas Homemade Valentines Kids
• Easy Homemade Valentine Cards Kids
• Homemade Valentines Greeting Card Ribbon Flower
• Cute Homemade Valentines

3-Dimensional

Help your kids really make a statement this Valentine’s Day by creating 3-D valentines for their friends and teachers.  Some of these 3-D valentines look complicated, but are actually very simple to create.  Don’t worry that you will have to do everything, because these are all kid-friendly crafts that your kids can definitely help with or even complete on their own, depending on their age and skill level.  These five blog articles have unique valentine ideas that will have the other kids raving.

• Tutorial: 3D Handing You a Lollipop Cards
• 2 Sugar-Free Homemade Valentine Ideas
• Just the “Write” Treat: DIY Valentine’s Day Pencil Topper
• Free Printable Valentine Valentines~ 3D Smartie Pants!
• Flower Lollipop Valentines

Bag toppers

Tired of the same old valentines where you try to tape on the candy? Why not do a treat bag with a topper instead?  You can let your child fill the bags and cut the toppers.  The kids might even be able to staple the toppers onto the bag if you help them.  These five blog entries will give you some printables and other ideas so that you can make your own treat bag toppers for this year’s valentine exchange.  These are so simple to do; you may end up giving them to all of the teachers.

• Simple Homemade Valentines for Kids with Free Printables
• Homemade Valentine Trail Mix with Printable Tags for Kids
• Kids Frugal Fun: Homemade Valentines- Be My Love Bug!
• Happy Valentine’s Day and Goodie Bags!
• Kids Valentine Printable – POP Quiz

Now that you’ve got some ideas, grab some paper, grab the kids and get to work on your valentines!

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