Make Your Own Valentine's Day Gifts

Little Puppet, Will You Be My Valentine?
Puppets are almost universally appealing to young children. They are approachable, interesting, and funny. There is a wide variety of beautiful commercial puppets available; however, homemade puppets work just as well and can have plenty of personality.

You can make this valentine puppet and it can come alive in a creative way. Cut out a 3-inch paper heart and a 1-inch paper heart from red (or pink) poster board. Make two finger holes in the top of the large heart. Draw a face on the smaller one. Overlap pointed ends of the hearts and glue these together. Accordion-fold strips of paper and glue these to the heart for arms. Place your fingers inside the holes and manipulate this heart puppet to entertain baby. Toddlers will enjoy working the puppet alone. Make up a story together about this Valentine's Day puppet or sing a favorite song.

Me and My Mom (Dad)—Hand In Hand
This idea can be used to make a refrigerator drawing, a framed keepsake, a placemat, or any type gift suitable for Valentine's Day. Who wouldn't love to receive a homemade gift from your toddler? Using tempera paints, brush red paint onto your (adult's) hand and press this onto white construction paper. Let this dry thoroughly. Next brush pink paint (or light blue, if you are doing a gender-based project) onto your child's hand and proceed to place this handprint on top of the adult's hand. Name and date this keepsake.