The Seattle weather this time of year just about does us all in, so we’re trying to stay busy and distracted over here. A homemade treat, kitchen experiments (slime anyone?), and simple crafts always seem to do the trick tho. If you’re feeling the same way, here are a few Valentines-ey projects that have been giving us life right now and make hunkering down at home feel extra special.
WHITE CHOCOLATE VALENTINE POPCORN
Shared the recipe on my Insta Stories yesterday and added to the “eat” highlight reel for safe keeping too, but it deserves to be documented here too… it’s that good! I cut way back on the chocolate compared to other recipes and will normally add the hearts after the kids dish their bowls so they don’t get too much :)
YOU’LL NEED:
- 5 oz. bag popcorn or 15 cups homemade, lightly salted
- 6 oz. white chocolate, melted
- sprinkles + conversation hearts
HERE’S HOW:
- Pour popcorn into a large baking sheet/pan.
- Drizzle with white chocolate and sprinkles and then toss until incorporated. Sprinkle hearts over the top. Cover and let sit until chocolate hardens.
- Dish up for your little (and big) valentines!
CONVERSATION HEART ACTIVITIES
That don’t involve eating them although we know it’s inevitable. A few ideas…
- Pour a bunch in a jar and have the kids guess how many, then count together.
- Drop a few in a glass of sparkling water or clear soda and watch them dance around. Kinda fun and science-y!
- Play around with making and matching patterns, or sorting.
- Give everyone a box of hearts, set the timer for a minute (or 5, lol!) and see who can stack them the highest! When you’re done, grab a few snack items from the pantry and use the candies to make individual trail mixes.
- Practice fine motor skills with little ones by scooping, and tweezing hearts from one bowl to another. Challenge older kids to use chopsticks. Here’s a few more montessori inspired activities!
- Take it one step further with these fun family night games. Would be fun for sleepovers too!
HEART GUYS FTW!
Can’t beat this classic! I found colored cardboard hearts and googly eyes at target and then cut up strips of text weight paper into strips. Set all the materials out on the table and let the kids get creative. Most of the finished hearts got taped to their bedroom doors which I love!
YOU’LL NEED:
- Hearts cutout of card stock or construction paper (found our hearts at Target, but couldn’t find online)
- Googly eyes
- Text weight paper, in various colors
- Tape or glue stick
- OPTIONAL: smaller hearts cutout for hands and feet, black marker for making a mouth + nose, stickers, pop-pops or other items to embellish with
HERE’S HOW:
- Cutout hearts and strips of paper for the arms and legs — ours were about 1-1/2 inch wide and 8-1/2 inch long for the legs and 5 inches for the arms.
- Fold the strips of paper like an accordion and tape onto the backside of your hearts.
- Embelish with eyes, etc. and you’re done!
Aren’t they cute!? And fun for everyone!
How are you guys having fun and staying sane at home on winter days!? This past Saturday we filled the stairway with mattresses so the kids could slide down, LOL. Anything to get some of their energy out these days!
Hope your week is off to a good start!!! Don’t forget to check classroom valentines off your to-do list!
XO, Rae
SaveSave
Great ideas! My sister always ask me to make my niece’s valentine gifts but this year I think I will pack up the supplies for Heart Guys and send them to her so she can make them herself. She’s 4 and I thinks she will be so happy to do this for her class. I plan to add a felt pocket to the back of the heart for treats and maybe a ribbon to carry them.