We do a lot more crafting and creating in my house during the colder months. Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to get your kids crafting and teach them to show love in simple ways. We recently had a play date where we made play dough with our friends (recipe below). Everyone got to take some home. Play dough and a heart shaped cookie cutter make a great non-food Valentine’s Day gift for those looking to keep candy to a minimum. Below we have a great collection of DIY cards, gifts and treats for the special people in your child’s life. Enjoy!
Homemade Play Dough Recipe – “Doughn’t you want to be mine?”
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup flour
- 0.5 cup salt
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 tablespoon oil
- food coloring (red and blue will yield every shade of red, pink, and purple you will want)
- 4-5 drops of essential oils (optional, but scents like lavender and wild orange can calm or stimulate learning!)
Combine all the ingredients except the essential oils (if using) in a large pot and stir together. Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes together in a ball. It will look and feel like play dough at this point. Allow the dough to cool. When it is cool enough to touch, drop the essential oils on top and knead them into the dough (optional.) Let your kiddos have at it, or package a fist sized ball of dough, cookie cutter, and a special note in a gift bag and distribute to classmates or friends.
DIY Cards and Crafts
- “You’re my Main Squeeze” (healthy & toddler friendly)
- “Glad We’re in the Same School” (Easy!)
- Handprint Heart Valentine Cards (toddler friendly)
- “I Chews You” (Gumball machine printable)
- “You Make My Heart Bounce” (non-candy)
- “You Blow Me Away” (non-candy)
- “Orange You Glad We’re Friends?” and “You’re the Apple of My Eye” (healthy and printable)
- “You Rock!” (big kid friendly ipod valentine)
- Another “You Rock” (easy and boy friendly, no pink or frills)
- Teacher Tackle Box (for the teacher)
Homemade Treats
White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- “Pink Soup” Smoothie
- Hearty Pop Eyes
- Raspberry Banana Valentine Pancakes
- Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie
- Great Grandma’s Sugar Cookies
- Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispy Treats
- Heart Shaped Pizza (Homemade Dough, Whole Wheat Dough, Homemade Sauce, BBQ Chicken Pizza)
- Valentine’s Snack Mix
- White Chocolate Cherry Cookies
- Chocolate Truffles with Sea Salt
- Pancake Cupcakes
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