We have some inspo for your homemade class valentines! We love a good pun, and we like to keep it non-food if possible (due to allergies). We're running a bit behind here so are just going to make it quick! We've included supplies you can still receive by this weekend on cards we've made in the past. (We haven't made ours for this year either... so yeah.)
first, our favorite hack
Before we dive in, one of our magic tricks (for getting these done with kids) is the adjustable letter stamp. You can 'build' their name in letters, and then kids can just stamp instead of write their name on each one. This is especially great for the littlest ones! So no matter what kind of valentine we do, we love this hack!
The stamp set can be found on Amazon (or in person at Papersource).
Our other hack is to prep, prep, prep. The kids help me pick out the design online, then we order all the supplies (usually just in time...). We wait until we have everything, and then I'll bring it all out and decide if we can do it in one or two sittings (usually I try to keep it to one). We pick a time to work on it, lay everything out on the counter in an assembly line style, and then we just go for it. Usually they have all the energy in the world at the beginning, but they start to slow down after 30 min... so if it's going to take longer than that, I'm usually still pushing through but promising them something special upon completion - like a cookie or a movie night. Yup, I'm basically bribing and I'm OK with that!
and now, the class valentine inspo
the jokester's valentines
- cards (ours our from Papersource, but Amazon has something similar)
the princess wands
- Disney princess valentines (we just used a $2.50 box set from Target - but you can find these anywhere!)
yoda best
pandas + lip gloss popsicles
- popsicle lip gloss (from the party favor section at Target)
- for the actual panda, instructions and templates are here
- we added little paper hearts (hand painted with her name) to put in the panda's arms
- double sided tape and glue dots
Note: The effort level here is HIGH. Likely requires two or three sessions (make the little personal hearts, cut out the panda parts, assemble it all). But it was so cute for panda-obsessed Molly that we had to do it last year. Plus focusing is her superpower, so it worked out. But if you wanted a shortcut, just buy a cut-out animal or superhero, and add the lip gloss to it!
you BLOW me away
- 2 or 2.5 inch circle labels (or from Target/Staples)
Note: I did see an easier version of this for older kids (who can chew gum) - just paste the sticker with printed text on top of a Bubble Yum package!
I WHEELy like you
- match cars (cheapest plastic version FYI)
- red cardstock (we used place cards from Paperource, but you can also cut basic red cardstock from Amazon)
- red + pink ribbon
I really DIG you
- shovels
- pink and red M+Ms
- red + pink ribbon
- red or pink cardstock (we used place cards from Paperource, but you can also cut basic red or pink cardstock from Amazon)
Note: Sorry that is the worst picture ever... I didn't have time to re-make it but I wanted to include for your inspo!
Alright that's a wrap! It was quick, but I hope it at least inspires you and makes it a bit easier if you're hoping to do homemade but are running out of time (as we can always relate)!
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