1. Handprint/Footprint Hearts in Frames

Perfect for: 6 months -2 year olds

Why: Infants and toddlers’ most sensitive nerve endings are found in their hands and feet. Hand and foot painting and printing provides a multisensory, tactile rich experience for your tiny artist while the skin-to-skin contact during this activity promotes healthy emotional bonding.

Tip: Gifting to a grandparent? Try framing your masterpiece in a simple black frame like the example from alittletipsy.com to create a keepsake they’ll want to display year long.

Idea and photo from: alittletipsy.com. Also, check out this paper quilt from funhandprintart.blogspot.com

2. Tissue Paper Heart Sun Catchers



Perfect for: 18 months - 3 year olds

Why: Between the first and second year toddlers are refining their fine motor development. Simple art activities, like this contact paper project, that involve picking up small piece of paper and sticking them onto a new surface supports your toddler’s developing motor control, precision, and hand-eye coordination. Older toddlers can also begin to work on more complex scissor skills by helping to cut out tissue pieces.

Tip: Not a fan of mess? Contact paper is one of my favorite less mess art materials. This sticky surface paper allows for all the fun of glue without the clean up!

Idea and photo from: Wee Folk Art

3. Love Bug Pet Rocks

Perfect for: 3 - 5 year olds

Why: Preschoolers create meaningful connections to their world through creative and imaginative play. Crafts that create a simple toy allow playtime to continue after the project is finished. By exposing your preschooler to art materials that come from nature you are supporting their sense of discovery and helping them create a positive and respectful attitude towards the environment.

Tip: Have an empty shoebox? Why not extend this activity with your child by creating a home for your love bugs! Visit the library and learn about how insects make their homes.

Idea and photo from: Let’s Explore

4. Stained Glue String Hearts

Perfect for: 4 - 8 years old

Why: As your child enters school they will be learning new concepts daily. Providing real life (fun) applications to math concepts and processes creates deeper meaning and learning retention particularly for kinesthetic (hands on) learners.

Tip: Want even more variety in your window? You an also try Melted Crayon Shaving Sun Catchers. Not only can you include a science discussion regarding changing states of matter (solids-liquids-gas) it could also be a fun way to introduce your older child to the concept of ironing (a parent can dream right?).

Idea and photo from: Intellidance

Looking for more heart craft ideas?

70 bloggers have gotten together to create a book of over a 100 heart projects. It’s called The Heart Project, and you get this ebook free with a $5 donation to the American Heart Association.

This project is inspired by 4 year old Ellie.

This Valentine’s Day Craft post was written by guest blogger Jessica Baudin-Griffin (BEd) the creator and owner of Intellidance. In addition to the highly sought-after Intellidance classes she runs at J’Adore Dance, she also writes a blog for parents and educators who want to foster a love of movement, creativity, and learning in their children. Also, keep an eye out for her groundbreaking Intellidance book expected in late 2012. Thanks Jess! ~Jen

