Anyone with a school age kid knows that there is never a shortage of candy come the holidays, and Valentine's Day is no different. Instead of adding to the sugar rush this year, why not get a bit creative with your kids' Valentines? These great ideas are cute, creative, and sure to please even the pickiest of preschoolers...all without candy.
1. Princess and Super Hero Peg Doll Valentines on Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line
2. Glowstick Valentines on Living, Loving, Learning Naturally
3. Heart Crayons by Carrots Are Orange
4. Bubble Valentines on Armelle blog
5. Bouncy Ball Valentines on Little Bit Funky
(Images: as linked above)
I realize this is a post for children's Valentines but I give out Valentine gifts to my lady friends. This year it will be tea towels I'm having embroidered by http://www.etsy.com/shop/sewsewcutesewing at ETSY.
She is doing custom embroidery designs for me that aren't yet listed on her site. If you email her, she will send you pictures of patterns she has.
4 will say QUEEN OF HEARTS with each towel being a different color thread and 2 will have bees flying around 2 hearts.
She's very sweet and will work with you on getting as close to the design you want made.
Regarding this post-great ideas!
It's not as creative, but I noticed the pre-made valentines at stores have gotten pretty cool. Lots of them have little extras, like pencils, erasers, and stickers. I was thinking about handing some out at work!
I love these ideas! I'm a PreK teacher, and holidays where candy is given out definitely can be stressful. I've never let the kids eat the candy at school... but nearly all of them have a candy hangover the next day!
Such cute ideas! Here's another "sweet" valentine I found for kids. Great handmade gifts for classmates or teachers. They also have a DIY valentine kit available.
http://bumbleofjoy.blogspot.com/2013/01/introducing-boj-valentines.html
The bouncy balls would be a big hit with my son! We used the glow stick idea last year but made them mini light-sabers with Star Wars LEGO cards I designed (free download on my blog). This year, we're making "slime." (Be My Valen-slime) : http://www.stitchcraftcreations.com/2013/01/23/be-my-valen-slime/
Cute! Also looove these Valentine's Day cards! http://www.etsy.com/listing/121532353/valentine-cassette-mixed-tape-card-hand?ref=v1_other_1
These are very cool take on the Star Wars theme by James Stowe: http://jamesstowe.blogspot.com/2010/02/star-war-valentines-2010.html. He has others, including Harry Potter, Disney Princess, and Transformers! He doesn't charge you to download them, but asks that you donate to his blog.
These are cute ones that we did a couple of years ago: http://curlybirds.typepad.com/curly-birds/2011/01/curly-birds-on-bloesem-kids-love-bug.html.
I remember loving beyond reason the valentine I got in school one year that came with a big "crazy straw". I think they have some now that glow in the dark. I don't know how many people want to keep the lights off every time their kid is thirsty, but sometimes just knowing there is a special feature is cool enough, even if the kids don't get to use it very much.