The Help Company Blog

In these economic times, making your own Valentine’s Day gifts not only saves money, but is also a fun afternoon art project. Here are a few that we think are creative and cute. All projects take approximately an hour.

Clap Happy

Materials Needed:

• Card stock
• Marker
• Tube of lotion or your choice of gift (perfume, candy, book, etc.)
• Double-sided tape

Instructions:

• Trace your child’s hand on card stock.
• Cut out the traced hand and use it as a template to make a second hand.
• Write a message with marker. 
• Affix the hands to a tube of lotion and add card stock hearts with double-sided tape.

Suggested Messages:
“You deserve a hand!” “Hands down, you’re the best.” “I’ve got to hand it to you!”

Valentine’s Butterflies

Materials Needed:

• Sticks of gum
• Licorice strings
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Heart stickers
• Tape

Instructions:

• Place two pieces of string licorice between two sticks of gum, taping the top and bottom closed to secure the antennae in place.
• Next, cut two heart-shaped wings from construction paper, write your valentine message on them, and secure them to the top stick of gum with a heart sticker.
• Add other stickers to give personality to your butterfly.

The Write Card

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard Pencil (to use)
• Colored card stock
• Scissors
• Markers or metallic pens
• Stickers
• Hole punch

Instructions:

• Make a template for your kids to trace around:
• Cut out a cardboard heart.
• Have your child trace the heart onto card stock and cut it out.
• Decorate with pens and stickers.
• Use the hole punch to make holes on each side of the heart and slide the cool pencil through.