Need to make lots of Valentines in a hurry but still want to show your creative flair? These easy-to-make Valentines are based on paper hearts that are cut freehand. After a little preparation by the adults or teen leaders, it's just fold, cut, glue, and a little imagination. This project is great for family, classroom or group craft time. It requires no patterns and uses simple materials.
Related crafts: For pop-up cards and more easy to make greeting cards, see the projects listed in Greeting Cards Kids Can Make.
Pre-cut card and paper blanks. Cut eight card blanks from a letter size ( 8½" by 11" or A4) sheet of cardstock. First, cut the cardstock in quarters, then cut each quarter in half. This will make eight cards, each 2¾" by 4¼" (7.5 cm by 10.5 cm). For the hearts, cut a sheet of red or pink paper the same way, then cut some of the resulting eighths in half. You might also cut some rectangles from scraps left over from other projects. For best results, the blanks should have straight sides and square corners. The sizes can vary a bit.
Cut a variety of hearts. For each heart, fold the heart blank in half and cut a half-heart shape from the top of the fold to the bottom. Open the hearts and smooth flat. Did you notice? There are actually two hearts—the cutout and the cutaway. Both can be used to decorate the cards.
Tip: Show the children how to cut the heart shape. If they are struggling, draw the cut line on the paper freehand, or use a template. Cut out hearts for very young children.
Tip: You can also use leftover hearts and heart cutaways from other craft projects, like from the Valentine Suncatchers, 3-D Valentines, and Valentine Flag Banner craft projects.
Glue hearts to the cards in various designs, using both the cutout and cutaway hearts. You can arrange them horizontally or vertically, use multiple hearts, nest hearts, or make any other pleasing arrangement!
Tip: Trim the outside edges of the cutaway hearts a little bit, and glue them on the cards so that there is a small white border.
Add a greeting to the front or the back of the card and any decorative touches you like using crayons, markers or colored pencils. You can use rubber stamps and paper punches, too, if you have them. Even a small hole punch can be used to express your creativity.
That's it! Exchange your creations with friends and family.