Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day upon us, what better way to show someone you love and care for than by giving the gift of something handmade? Here are some great crafty ideas from Your OSHC to get the kids involved and having fun!

A bouquet of flowers that don’t dry up with no maintenance required? That’s right. Let’s explore how to make beautiful flowers using coloured paper. Watch this video for a step-by-step guide to making your own paper flowers!

No more picking flowers from the garden! Here’s an eco-friendly way to re-use popsicle sticks and some paper or felt to create your own one-of-a-kind reusable flower for Valentine’s Day.

Instructions:

1. Colour in or decorate the popsicle sticks
2. Cut-out flower and leaf shapes from coloured paper or felt
3. Glue or tape pieces onto stick as necessary
4. Decorate the pistil (middle of the flower) by sticking on unused buttons or gem stickers

This one is for those who love to play with dough. Let’s mould a salt dough into a heart shape and get creative with it by adding colour or patterns!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of salt
• 1 cup of cold water

Instructions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to about 120° C and line the tray with baking sheet
2. Combine flour and salt in a bowl
3. Add water, a few tablespoons at a time then mix well after each addition
4. Knead dough for 10 minutes
5. Add acrylic paint with colour of choice then knead further until mixed
6. Wrap and let it rest for 20 minutes
7. Cut, shape and mould into a heart shape
8. Transfer onto the prepared baking sheet
9. Use toothpick or other stencils to create holes or pattern
10. Bake in the oven on low heat for a couple of hours until dry and hard
11. Allow to cool completely before handling

A simple, easy way to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit. Colour in or fill a printed heart shape with cut-outs or special messages to give to a loved one – a great gift idea that doubles as a card!

Instructions:

1. Print out a template of a heart (or similar)
2. Colour in or fill shape with coloured paper cut-outs
3. Can be decorated with hand, stickers and other materials as desired
4. (optional) Use as a cover for a card or as a decorative hanger

Here are some websites where you can find free templates:

• https://www.firstpalette.com/printable/hearts.html
• https://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/heart-template.html

From Valentine’s Day and Easter to Christmas and everything in between, we offer a range of themed activities tailored for your child across our Your OSHC Before and After School Care sessions.

Bookings are open for 2023 – register your child today!