Want to create some quick fun? Here are a few ideas for kids to play with and or create while you are making dinner, during fun together time after dinner, etc.! Quick, easy and inexpensive Valentine’s activities can be created from items you may have at home! Older children will have fun creating these activities before playing with them. Younger children will enjoy the challenge. All the ideas below can be done with other shapes as well, such as eggs, stars, circles, etc.
1. Puzzle – Do you have two Valentine’s Day cards left over? Why not create a puzzle? Glue or tape one card on the front of an envelope. Cut the second card into pieces (less pieces for a younger child, more pieces for an older child). Store cut pieces inside the envelope and remember to write on the envelope how many pieces are in your puzzle.
2. Find or make a large heart (in any color you desire) to use as a pattern. Use this shape to trace an outline with a thick dark line using a marker or crayon onto a plain piece of paper, card stock or cardboard. (Amazon/shipping boxes can be opened for larger pieces of cardboard) Cut apart your original shape and store the pieces in an envelope or plastic bag. Make sure you write down how many pieces are in your puzzle somewhere on the traced outline piece. Remember, younger children need less pieces and older children enjoy more pieces. Older children would also enjoy creating this puzzle!
3. Cut out any number of heart shapes. Cut those shapes in half with different patterns. Put together the broken hearts. (This is great for egg shapes too.) Stickers and/or a kiss (using lipstick and then a kiss from you!) can be added to the different sides of the hearts to assist in putting the puzzles together. Find an appealing container to hold your broken hearts. Empty candy boxes make great storage containers for heart games!
4. Using wall paper samples, construction paper, wrapping paper or fabric, cut out two of each pattern, color or design. Cookie cutters are great help to draw your shape.
This can be a lotto game where every shape is upside down and the players take turns trying to find pairs.
Younger children are challenged with just finding the two that match.
To pair children into partners: Randomly pass out hearts and ask children to find the person who has the heart that matches theirs. Or, take one set and hide them in the room. Pass the other set out to the children and have them go on a scavenger hunt to find their match.
Have Fun!
