Valentine's Day: roses are red, violets are blue, these Valentine's Day projects are fun to do!

Instructor, Jan-Feb, 2003

"Be Mine" Valentine Puzzles

Invite children to make and share these heart puzzles with secret Valentine's Day messages.

For each puzzle, you'll need scissors, a red or pink paper heart, markers, decorative stickers, and an envelope.

1. Write a special Valentine's Day message for a friend on a paper heart. Add stickers or illustrations if you like.

2. Puzzle-cut the heart into four or more pieces. (The number of pieces will depend on the size of the heart being used.)

3. Place the pieces in an envelope. Invite a friend to put the puzzle together and read the special message.

Valentine Bookworm

Decorate your classroom and promote reading all month long with this adorable valentine bookworm.

For the class bookworm, you'll need sheets of red or pink construction paper, a red pipe cleaner, two red pompoms, tape, markers or crayons, hole punch, red yarn, and red and pink copies of the bookworm Reproducible on page 8.

1. To make the bookworm's head, cut out the bookworm heart shape from a copy of the Reproducible, and trim off the legs. Trace the heart onto red or pink construction paper, then cut out the shape and draw a face.

2. Cut the pipe cleaner in half. Wrap one end of each half tightly around a pompom to make an antenna. Tape the antennae to the heart cutout.

3. Have kids complete a bookworm cutout for each book that they read. Punch a hole in each side of the cutout. Use yarn to attach the first bookworm cutout to the head. Hang the bookworm on a classroom wall, attaching additional bookworm cutouts as it grows!

Tip: Invite children to tell the class about the books they've featured on the bookworm.

Valentine Keepers

Children will love making these nifty holders to tuck away the special valentines they receive this holiday.

For each valentine keeper, you'll need one 12" x 18" sheer of red or pink construction paper, scissors, hole punch, one yard of red or pink yarn, crayons or markers, assorted craft materials (such as paper doilies, glitter, sequins, and stickers), and a copy of the half-heart Reproducible on page 8.

1 Fold the sheet of construction paper in half twice. Cut out the half-heart pattern and tape it along the fold.

2 Cut out the heart shape along the edge, cutting through both layers of paper.

3 Use a hole punch to make holes as indicated on the heart pattern.

4 Remove the pattern and unfold the paper. You will have two hearts.

5 Weave the yarn in and out of the holes around the heart. The ends of the yarn should meet at the top of the heart. Tie the ends into a bow.

6 Print your name on the heart and decorate it with illustrations and the craft items of your choice.

Tip: Children can hang their holders on a seasonal display so that classmates can deliver messages, cards, and notes to their Valentine Keepers.