The stores are filled with a wide selection of generic, ready to purchase Valentines. If you are looking to save a little money this year, or to have your child give a more original card, check out these websites.
Free Printable Valentine’s for Children
Family Fun –This home page, hosted by Family Fun Magazine, has a variety of choices. Simply go to the "Holiday and Seasonal" section. Choices are available in color and black and white. The black and white option creates a crafting opportunity to your child’s Valentine and becomes double the fun! Simply click on the link of your choice and the PDF file will automatically open. You also have the option to save the file to your desktop. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print the files. If you do not have Adobe, the download is available for free.
Apples 4 The Teacher – This educational based website has five fun choices: Valentine Piggies, Old-fashioned Cards, Peace and Friendship Valentine’s, Valentine Puppies and Classic Cards. Four print to a page. Simply cut out and have your child write his or her greeting on the reverse side. If you would like, simply print in black and white to give your child the opportunity to color and create his/her own piece of art! To do this, pull down your file menu and click on print. In your print menu box, click on “properties” located in the upper right hand portion of the box. Click on the “advanced” tab. Select the “print in Grayscale” option and click OK.
Paper Valentine Crafts for Children –This site offers a variety of choices and has something for children of all ages:
- Patterns – these heart shaped patterns are great for younger children. They can simply be printed and colored. A special message can be written on the back of each. If your child is able and willing, cut the heart out and mount it on a folded sheet of construction paper or card stock to create a card.
- Folding Patterns – these templates are a little more advanced. Choices range from a basic heart shape to more detailed cuttings. Younger children may be able to cut these simple heart patterns as the folding portion of these cards only entails a side fold.
- Stationary – this stationary is great as it provides lines for children to write on but still works well as a Valentine.
Activity Village – This site offers a nice selection of sizes; half fold, quarter fold, and mini cards which print nine to a page. The website also offers cards to color. Another fun way to “color” the black and white cards is to fill in with colored tissue paper balls. (Children love to squeeze small tissue paper squares into balls.) Simply glue the tissue paper on to the cards with glue sticks and create a beautiful textured Valentine.
Make Homemade Valentines
A more traditional approach to making free Valentines is to use everyday crafting supplies such as construction paper, tissue paper and doilies.
With crayons, magic markers and glitter glue, your child can create one-of-a-kind cards for family and friends and enjoy the magic of making his or her own hand crafted masterpiece!
With the accessibility of the internet, finding free Valentines is pretty simple. If you are looking to save money and foster originality this year, check out the opportunities on line or simply create your own handcrafted masterpieces using everyday crafting items.
Christin Aitchison - Christin is a freelance writer who has targeted the children's market for the past five years. Her publishing credits include Highlights ...
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