Craft Corner Valentine's Day

During my years teaching at a day care/preschool and teaching elementary Sunday school classes, I found that boys like to create craft projects just as much as the girls. In the winter, many parts of the country have evenings that are too cold to venture outside. Other parts of the country have milder winters. Below are several Valentine’s Day craft ideas for your Ranger Kids and Discovery Rangers groups.

RANGER KIDS

I tried to select craft projects that K–2^nd graders could complete with little individual supervision. If you are the only leader with several boys, you will need crafts that boys can work on with some independence, allowing you to focus on the younger boys in the class.

Paper Bag Heart Air Balloon

This craft looks more complicated than it is. You’ll need the heart template, cardstock (red and pink), brown paper lunch bags, brown markers, scissors, and glue sticks. You’ll make three hearts that will create the balloon. The boys will cut out a large section of the paper bag with the remainder serving as the basket. If you are limited on time, cut out the hearts before class.

https://www.craftymorning.com/paper-bag-heart-air-balloon-craft/

Heart Template: https://www.craftymorning.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/paper-bag-heart-air-balloon-template.pdf

Heart Air Balloon

Heart Wreath

You don’t need many craft supplies to make this beautiful wreath. You’ll need cardstock (red, pick, and white), ribbon, scissors, and staplers. I would recommend cutting the strips of paper for the hearts before class. You’ll need multiple staplers for this craft. It is easy, and each boy will make a unique project to take home.

https://onelittleproject.com/stapled-paper-heart-wreath/

Valentine Butterfly

You’ll need the basic supplies of white card stock, construction paper (red, pink, and white), washable paint, paper plates, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, scissors, markers, and glue. If you do the handprints, don’t forget those paint shirts. If your class in full and you don’t have a helper, this craft would be great without the paint handprints. If you do the handprints, this craft could be worked on over two weeks.

https://teachingmama.org/make-heart-flutter-valentine-craft/

DISCOVERY RANGERS

I tried to select craft projects that 3^rd–5^th graders could complete with little supervision. If you are the only leader with several boys, you will need crafts that boys can work on with some independence, allowing you to focus on the boys who may need extra help.

Tissue Paper Heart by Numbers

I thought this one would be fun for the boys. You’ll need tissue paper (red, pink, and white), black marker, glue, scissors, and numbers. Print one template, make sections on the heart, and number each section. Then, photocopy that template. You will want to cut squares of tissue paper before class. The boys can use the squares to tear small pieces of tissue paper to glue onto their hearts. You will need to number each color so the boys know which color to glue into each section of the heart.

https://crayonboxchronicles.com/2014/01/27/heart-tissue-paper-by-number-craft/

Heart Template (scale 140%): http://www.shapecollage.com/shapes/mask-heart-outline.png

Tissue Paper Heart

Tin Foil Heart

What I like about this craft is that every finished heart will be unique to boy who made it. You’ll need cardboard, aluminum foil, Sharpie permanent markers, and scissors. From these simple supplies, the boys can make spectacular hearts. You’ll want to cut the cardboard hearts before class. You don’t need heavy cardboard; a simple cereal box will work. Have the boys cover their hearts with the foil. Then, they can decorate with the permanent markers.

https://iheartcraftythings.com/tin-foil-heart-valentines-day-craft.html

Tin Foil Heart

Optical Illusion Heart

This craft intrigued me, so I thought I would include it. You’ll need a heart template, lined or unlined paper, pencils, and markers. With those few supplies, the boys will make interesting hearts, creating an optical illusion that make you look twice. You’ll want to read the directions multiple times before attempting the sample. The hardest part is remembering to curve the line into the heart to make the optical illusion.

https://www.pinkstripeysocks.com/2018/01/3d-optical-illusion-heart-drawing-craft.html

Heart Template: https://www.craftymorning.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/paper-bag-heart-air-balloon-template.pdf

Heart Template (scale 140%): http://www.shapecollage.com/shapes/mask-heart-outline.png

Optical Illusiom Heart

RANGER KIDS & DISCOVERY RANGERS

These are great snack and coloring page ideas for Ranger Kids and Discovery Rangers. These might work well for a party.

Snack Idea: Valentine’s Marshmallows

If you want to make a special snack for Valentine’s Day, then this is simple. You’ll need large marshmallows, candy melts (pink, red, or white), straws, sprinkles, small paper bowls, and shortening (optional). This food craft is easy. You or the boys can skewer the marshmallows with the straws. Give each boy a small bowl of sprinkles. Then, melt the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl. Have the boys dip the marshmallow in the melted candy and dip in the sprinkles. They can eat them once the candy coating has cooled.

https://sugarspiceandglitter.com/kids-kitchen-valentines-day-marshmallows/

Snack Idea: Tic Tac Toe Cracker

This is another simple Valentine’s snack. You’ll need graham crackers, candy melts (pink, red, or white), plastic sandwich bags, and conversation hearts. The link shows using two colors of candy melts; however, for ease, you could use one. After melting the candy melts and transferring the chocolate to the bags, snip a tiny piece off the corner. You can make the tic tac toe board or allow the boys to make their own. They will have a fun placing the different conversation hearts on their boards.

https://www.sippycupmom.com/valentine-tic-tac-toe-snack-craft/

Tic-Tac-Toe-Snack