Valentine's Day with kids is all about the crafts and baking. Here are some great ways to have some valentine's day fun with kids. Learn all about which materials make great homemade Valentine's day cards. Then, find resources to teach your kids what this holiday is all about. Also, find some great stories, crafts, and coloring pages, all heart, love, and Valentine's Day themed.

Articles and Slideshows:

Valentine's Day Lesson Plans for Elementary Students by Kate Kirkman
Free Valentine's Day Lesson Plans: Activities, Stories, and Coloring Pages, Crafts, and More by Lyn Lomasi
Valentine's Day Heart Cookies on a Stick by S Maven
Valentine Crafts for Young Children by Sandra Peterson
Easy Valentine's Day Crafts for Elementary School Parties by Kate Kirkman
Lesson Plans: "V" is for Valentine's Day - Toddlers and Preschoolers by Lisa Carey

by Jaipi Sixbear

Stringing popcorn and cranberries is one of my favorite Christmas activities. All you need is a bag of frozen cranberries, a kettle of plain popped popcorn and a needle and thread. Stringing popcorn and cranberries for Christmas garland is fun for kids and grownups too.

Strings of popcorn and cranberries look great as garland on the Christmas tree. They really bring an old fashioned look to the home. I also like stringing popcorn and cranberries garland for wildlife. Just hang the strings outside. They make a wonderful Christmas treat for birds and squirrels.

The cranberries used for stringing garland should be frozen. Using thawed cranberries for this task is messy, juicy and sticky. The frozen ones can be sticky too, but they're not quite as bad. The needle should be large but quite sharp. Supervise kids well, so they don't stick their fingers.

I use button thread for stringing popcorn and cranberries garland. It holds up better and is stronger than regular thread. If you don't have button thread, don't worry. Regular sewing thread will work too. Now assemble all your ingredients and lets get started.

When threading the needle for stringing popcorn and cranberries, leave the thread uncut. That is to say, the part of the thread that is not passed through the needle should remain attached to the spool. This is because you don't know how long the garland will be until all the popcorn and cranberries are on it.

To cut down on the mess, I like to alternate the cranberries and popcorn. The popcorn will absorb some of the cranberry juice. Try three popcorns and then a cranberry. This is a perfect pattern for the whole garland. As you work, slide the cranberries and popcorn down the string toward the thread spool.

Stringing popcorn and cranberries may take some time. I like to put in a Christmas DVD while stringing the garland. You can also play Christmas music and enjoy family conversation. Those who don't like stringing cranberries and popcorn can do another Christmas craft if they wish.

Stringing popcorn and cranberries garland isn't the only way to feed the birds this Christmas. Our family likes to fill pine cones with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed. We also like to hang orange slices in the trees for the birds.

When you run out of popcorn and cranberries to string, it's time to tie off your garland. We like to make ours into circles by tying the ends of string together. Just snip the thread at the spool, leaving a few inches for tying. Double knot the thread and your Christmas garland is done.

Have you considered making homemade non-toxic clay for your kids to play with? Kids love molding and shaping clay into their own sculpture creations. Small children's fingers tend to end up in their mouths. Making your own homemade non-toxic modeling and play clay insures kid's safety while they create.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 1 – Play Dough
This homemade kids clay is exactly like the kind sold in cans in the store. Make it at home with just a few non-toxic ingredients from the kitchen. Kids will play for hours with this colorful and pliable dough. Mom will look like a clay making genius.

To make homemade non-toxic play dough like clay you will need 3 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 6 teaspoons cream of tartar, 3 cups water, and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil. Cook this all in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens. For coloring add food color a few drops at a time until you get the right color. Take the finished clay from the pan and knead until the right consistency is reached.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 2 – Textured Stone Oatmeal Dough
Here's a fun homemade clay that resembles stone when dry. Kids can mold crazy stone men or bricks. This clay makes wonderful non-toxic play castles. I like to use it in natural color but food coloring may be added if preferred.

For homemade non-toxic textured stone clay you will need 1 cup rolled oats, 2/3 cup flour, and ½ cup of water. If color is desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the water prior to mixing. Mix it all together in a large bowl. Turn the clay out onto a floured board and knead, adding flour until smooth.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 3 – Cornstarch Clay
This homemade non-toxic clay can be easily molded. Kids will find the consistency to be much like Sculpey or Fimo brand clays. This kids clay works well for making homemade jewelry or figurines. Finished products can be painted with non-toxic acrylic paint.

Heat 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 cup cornstarch and ½ cup cold water. You are on the right track if it looks like mashed potatoes. Stir off the heat until thickened to clay consistency. Finished products take a few days to dry completely.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 4 – Flour and Water
Here's a great old fashioned stand by with ingredients every kitchen has on hand. This play clay contains salt which sparkles slightly when dry. Kids will love this for making dough ornaments for Christmas and other holidays.

To make this non-toxic homemade clay simply Mix together 4 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 1 ½ cups of water. Kids will love kneading the clay and adding food coloring to the dough. Finished products are baked in a 350 degree oven until hardened. Items can be painted with non-toxic acrylic paint as an alternative to the food coloring.

by Jaipi Sixbear

Who doesn't like drawing with chalk on a sidewalk? Why not learn to make homemade sidewalk chalk? Homemade sidewalk chalk can be used by children and adults alike. Children use it for hopscotch and other games. Adults make elaborate sidewalk chalk drawings at events or just scribble like kids.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Economical

Sidewalk chalk drawings are far from permanent. The first rain washes them away. That makes it important to conserve money by making homemade sidewalk chalk. What better way to save money than to make it yourself?

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - The Homemade Factor

Fans of my writing know I'm a huge proponent of homemade things. There's just something about do it yourself that makes things more interesting. It's also nice to know what goes into the things we use on a daily basis.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Yes You Can

It really is possible to make homemade sidewalk chalk using just a few simple ingredients available at craft stores. Isn't it surprising? I know the first time I heard about it, I was skeptical. After making sidewalk chalk for myself the store bought version just doesn't work right.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Color Variety

One of the best things about making sidewalk chalk at home is the variety of color combinations. All you need are primary colors to come up with endless variations. I recommend starting with just a few until you get the hang of things.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Supplies

To make homemade sidewalk chalk you will need cardboard toilet paper rolls so start saving these now. Masking tape and wax paper are on the list as well. Powdered tempera paint color and plaster of paris are found at the craft store. Separate disposable containers and some stir sticks will be needed for each color.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Prepare the Molds

Start by preparing the toilet paper rolls to use as molds for the sidewalk chalk. Cover one end with masking tape and line the homemade sidewalk chalk molds with waxed paper. This is so the sidewalk chalk doesn't stick to the mold. Stand the rolls open end up.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Mix it Up

Mix together 1 ½ cups of plaster of paris and ¾ cup of water. This is the base for the homemade chalk. Use a disposable container such as an old milk carton for this job. Pour the mixed sidewalk chalk base into 3 separate disposable containers for coloring. This is a great way to use all those containers you've been saving.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Add Color

Add up to 3 tablespoons tempera paint color to each container. Colors may be combined to make interesting combinations. For instance, if making orange chalk use 2 tablespoons yellow and 1 tablespoon red. Swirled chalk is made by only partially mixing in color.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Pour into Molds

Now it's time to pour the homemade sidewalk chalk mix into the molds. Fill the molds up and tap lightly on the edge to remove air bubbles. It takes a bit of time for the sidewalk chalk to dry. Average dry time is 2-3 days. Once the chalk is dry it should slide easily from the molds.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Just add Kids

The last ingredient needed is some fun loving kids. Armed with a couple pieces of homemade chalk each, this will keep them busy for hours. What if there are no sidewalks where you live? That's OK, this sidewalk chalk can be used on blackboards too.

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk - Other Uses

Another nice idea is to package homemade sidewalk chalk as a gift. Put a few sticks in a bundle and tie with string. How about making and donating sidewalk chalk to children's charities? What a fun way to give back to the community.