Valentine's Day is always going to be about love, romance and your extra someone, but if you have or are taking care of minute ones for V-Day 2011, there's no fancy why you shouldn't contain them in the festivities. But what are the best activities and gifts to make it a happy Valentines for kids? Check out these fun and budget-friendly suggestions for ideas that children will love!
Fun Valentines Crafts And Activities
Teenage Valentine Gifts
Whether you're trying to think of the best Valentines ideas for stuff to do together with your own children, looking for great crafts for the classroom, or need activities to occupy your older kids while you and your sweetie are out on a date, here are some creative ways to celebrate Valentine's 2011:
Valentines cards: This is a superior and for real easy way to enjoy Valentines with the kids - all you need is some craft paper, glue, craft scissors, crayons, coloring pencils or markers, and any other fun decorations to stick onto the card, like glitter, stickers or even yarn. I love the Darice Glitter Foam Stickers from Kmart.com for a neat 3D consequent on my Valentines!
Sweets for my sweetie: Instead of overdosing on cheap chocolates and candy, why not make your own potential truffles? It's so easy, and all you need is semisweet chocolate, vanilla, cream cheese and icing sugar! Here's a quick method from AllRecipes.com:
Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) container of cream cheese, softened
3 cups icing sugar
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1.5 teaspoons vanilla
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Slowly beat in icing sugar until well-blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls.
That's it! If you and your kids want, you can roll your truffles in coconut or nuts or drizzle them with caramel (but watch out for allergies!)
Punch-out: You can make some for real fun multipurpose crafts with just a bit of craft paper, yarn/ribbon, paint and a handy craft punch! Kaboose.com has a great stained glass heart craft where you take crayon shavings or colored wax and melt them on a heart cut out of waxed paper with an iron on low heat to create a groovy pattern. Naturally punch a small hole at the top and thread with string, yarn or ribbon to make an ornament, or you can also loop the yarn through the hole to make a bookmark.
The Best Toys And Valentines Gifts For Kids
Wondering which gifts for kids are hot for Valentines 2011, but don't want to spend a small fortune? Check out these neat toys that have been manufacture kids' wishlists everywhere!
- Feel Kinect-ed: everyone is buzzing about the motion-sensing Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 , ready at TigerDirect! It's a neat way to get your children off the couch and moving, and there are already loads of sports, dance and adventure games ready for the system.
- Let's go to the Zhu: Kids are still going crazy over Zhu Zhu Pets, so they're certainly an option for Valentines; try the pink Zhu Zhu Pets Ballerina Outfit from Kmart.com for a super cute girl's gift.
- Get Gund: The super-soft Gund plushies are oh-so-cuddly bedtime toys and a great way to show your kids you love them this Valentines - I like the Gund Sesame road Snuffleupagus, ready from Sears.com.
- Kids' choice: If you're looking for an easy gift idea, especially for teens and older children, how about getting them online gift cards for Valentines? They'll love choosing their own presents, especially if you get gift cards for electronics stores or online bookstores, plus it's a great way for you to save as there are no shipping costs on email gift cards!
Happy Valentines Day!
Creative Ideas to Make It a Happy Valentines for Kids