Valentines don't need to be a labor of love: These cute cards are designed to be made en masse. Simple techniques and easy-to-find supplies mean these sweet notes will work for everyone and anyone.
Trace and cut out an arrowhead, a fletching, and a heart for each card (get the template below). Then write on and cut a slit in the heart, slide it over a candy stick, and tape the arrow pieces to each end.
Have your child press her pointer finger into an ink pad and make two adjoining prints to form a heart. Attach a mini magnifying glass to the card with a strip of colorful washi tape, so that the prints are visible through the glass.
Fold a 9" x 4 1/2" piece of paper in half, and trace a faint pencil grid onto the front. Set up watercolor paints, and instruct your kid to paint the squares in different shades. Let dry. Then use a toilet-paper tube bent into a heart to stamp acrylic-paint hearts onto the watercolored cards. To swap colors, cut off the end for a clean stamp.
Fold a 6" x 9" (or larger) rectangle of paper in half. Trace your child's hand with her thumb and pointer finger touching the folded edge. Cut out the hand shape. To make multiples, use your first cutout as a template. Let your child decorate the hands with stickers and stamps.
Use various sizes of heart punches (or cut out the shapes by hand), then assemble them with a glue stick. Circle- and heart-shaped hole punches make eyes and bubbles.
Give a delicious diversion with this puzzle greeting. Download card and sticker printables below. Print the puzzles onto full-page 8 1/2" x 11" adhesive labels (8 per sheet) and the cards onto plain cardstock (4 per sheet). Cut each puzzle into nine squares and let your child stick them to Starburst candies; cut out the accompanying cards. Pack the sweets in a plastic bag with a card tucked inside.
