Kids DIY Valentine’s Day Gifts

Have you ever thought about giving messages to your loved ones on Valentine’s Day? We believe that sometimes a message is more powerful than a present because:

• It makes a relationship stronger (between partners, siblings, friends, etc.);
• It brings positivity;
• It is original and unique;
• It motivates you!

Here are some original ways to get your message through!

Ladybug Valentine’s Day card

Buying Valentine’s Day card for your loved ones is great, but you can make it even more special by creating Valentine's Day card by hand and writing your sweet, sweet message inside!

What does the ladybug stand for or symbolize?

This year, we chose to make our valentine’s card a cute ladybug. Why? The ladybug has a really beautiful meaning in many countries. In general, the ladybug symbolizes luck and is a symbol against meaningless violence. However, in many countries, the ladybug also stands for a chance to find love. The number of dots on the ladybug’s back stand for the number of days or weeks that you need to wait before you bump into your true love. How romantic is that!

What you need in order to make this DIY Ladybug Valentine's Day card:

• Red, black, and white paper
• A black marker or pen
• A pair of scissors
• Glue
• A stapler
• A pencil

Let’s get started! Making the Ladybug Valentine’s Day Card

Step 1: Draw the body of the ladybug on the black paper with a pencil and then cut it out.

Step 2: Draw a circle on the red paper and cut it out. Make sure this circle is just a bit bigger than the ladybug's body.

Step 3: Then cut this red circle in half. These will become the wings of the ladybug.

Step 4: Draw 10 hearts on the black paper and then cut them out carefully.

Step 5: Glue the hearts on the wings of the ladybug.

Step 6: Then draw a circle on the white paper. Make sure the circle is just slightly smaller than the ladybug's body.

Step 7: Now it's finally time to write something sweet for the one you care about so much. Grab your black marker or pen and write down your message for that special someone. The message doesn't have to be long, but by expressing your appreciation for that person you will make them happy anyway!

Step 8. Glue the white paper with the text on the body of the ladybug.

Step 9. Staple both wings on the bottom of the ladybug's head. Make sure the wings are slightly open so you can still read your message.

And voilà your own homemade Valentine's card is ready! Now is the time to give these to your loved one!

Heart-shaped box

How about a box where all of your love can fit? We know, that could take a lot of space... But let's try a small one that represents the place where you keep all of your feelings!

It’s really easy to make. Begin by taking a square sheet of paper and following the steps below:

Sometimes the simplest things in life can be the most beautiful. Don’t you agree?
We chose pink and red paper, but feel free to choose any color you wish.

Finally, to make it personal, you should include a message that expresses your appreciation towards the specific person. Feel free to use these free printable Valentine’s Day cards including the Babysits mascot that you can then put into the heart-shaped DIY:

For parents planning to find a babysitter on Valentine’s Day to go out with their partner or friends, it is a nice idea to bring this heart as a gift.

But remember that you can give this craft to anyone in your life that makes you feel special and appreciated. If for example you always go to the same coffee place, this is the best time to personally thank the people that work there! Or maybe you have a nice relationship with your coworker? Give him/her a thank you card to remind them you are grateful for your time spent together. It can also be a Valentine’s Day gift idea for the babysitter who takes care of your kids for a long time.

There are a lot of people to be grateful and thankful for!

DIY Portuguese Lenço dos Namorados card

Sometimes it can be hard to take the initiative and be the first one to tell a friend, a family member, a teacher or even a babysitter that we appreciate them and that they are important in our life. If you're needing a little bit of courage and inspiration, we have the perfect craft for you!

The Portuguese tradition of Lenço dos Namorados

It is said that the "Lenço dos Namorados" (Sweetheart Handkerchiefs) tradition started around the 17th or 18th century, when it was common for women to embroid as a hobby. In the Minho region, in the far northwest of Portugal, girls that were old enough to marry would embroider white handkerchiefs with love-themed images and colourful sewing threads, such as hearts, flowers, and birds. They would also embroider love messages or verses that were often misspelled because they weren't able to read.

These handkerchiefs were then offered to the boys that they wanted to marry as a symbol of romantic interest. If they accepted, the couple would start an official relationship and the boy would wear the piece in his best coat's pocket, around his neck or on the brim of the hat. This showed that he was spoken for and would get married soon, just like a ring! Nowadays, these handkerchiefs are still made in Portugal and are a beautiful way of telling someone that you cherish them close to your heart.

What you need in order to make this DIY Portuguese Lenço dos Namorados card:

• White paper
• Red construction paper
• Colourful markers or pens
• A pair of regular scissors
• A pair of paper edge scissors
• Glue
• Colourful love themed stickers
• A pencil
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Create your own Lenço dos Namorados

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Step 1: On the white paper, measure and draw a square and cut it using the paper edge scissors.
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Step 2: On the red construction paper, cut a slightly bigger square (about 1cm bigger) with a regular pair of scissors.

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Step 3: Then glue them together, with the white paper on top.

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Step 4: Now it's time to decorate it! Use heart-shaped stickers if you have them or just draw colourful hearts and flowers on your own.
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Step 5: When you finish, write a sweet message to the one you will give this card! It doesn't have to be long and don't worry about misspelling a word... it's how they do it anyway!

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Your Portuguese Lenço dos Namorados is ready! This one reads "Accept this little handkerchief with much love and affection". Don't be afraid to take the first step and let others know how you feel about them. You won't regret it!
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Little ideas make people happier! Check out how Babysits spreads the love!

Sometimes a kind message can be the best gift to show others how much we care about them. Especially by including a message to show your appreciation. It doesn’t have to be long, but it is a good idea to be as personal as possible. You can make that person feel really happy and appreciated!

Happy Valentine’s Day!