If white paper doilies and red construction paper is what you think of when you hear Valentine’s Day craft for kids, you have come to the right place for some new and inspiring ideas.  Here is a simple, yet lovely kid-friendly craft that can be easily completed in time for Valentine’s Day.

A Valentine’s Day sun-catcher is a great gift idea for grandparents, aunts, teachers or any other special person in your child’s life.  To make this Valentine’s Day craft you will need:

• Clear Contact paper (can be purchased at any hardware store)
• Tissue paper (in approximately 4 different colours)
• Exacto knife or scissors
• String or thin ribbon

1)  Prepare heart shape cut-outs from the tissue paper before beginning the craft.  To do this fold the tissue paper a few times and cut out half a heart along the fold.  Unfold each heart and place them in a small bowl or container.  Do this with different coloured tissue paper, cutting hearts of varying sizes and shapes (fat, skinny, small, large).  Older children can help with this part of the Valentine’s Day craft.

2)  Cut out 2 large rectangular shapes of the same size from the contact paper.

3)  Peel the paper off one piece of the contact paper (save the other rectangle for later) and tape the four corners of the contact paper to a window at your child’s height – make sure the sticky side is facing the inside of the house.

4)  Paste the Valentine’s tissue hearts anywhere along the contact paper. Handing your toddler the hearts one-by-one will keep them focussed and interested, while your preschooler and elementary-aged child can work more independently, picking out and sticking on the hearts on their own.

5)  Remove from the window and place on a flat surface.

6)  Place the second rectangular piece of contact paper on top of the original one so the two sticky sides are stuck together (this part is best done by an adult).  Be careful to press down with the side of your hand on the top sheet and press out any bubbles as you lay the contact paper down.

7)  Using an Exacto knife or scissors, cut your sun-catcher into smaller rectangles of approximately 11cm x 15cm.

8 )  Poke a hole with a small needle at the top of the rectangle and thread a string or ribbon through to hang the Valentine’s Day sun-catcher with.

This is a wonderful kid-friendly craft that will now brighten any window on a cold February day!