Last Minute Fun:

I know Valentine's Day is tomorrow, but I just had to post a few more things for people who still need a couple of finishing touches for their parties. 

These Valentine Wands are super easy, and your students will LOVE finding them on their desk as a special surprise tomorrow.

Here's how to make them:

Run off the master on red/pink construction paper.

Cut out the hearts.

Cut the smaller back heart out of old file folders so that the wand is sturdier and won’t flop over.

Insert skewer into straw.  This will make it sturdy so it won’t bend. The point will stick out about two inches.  I don’t like to just use a skewer, as little ones wave their wands and I don’t want to chance them poking each other accidentally.  

Glue the heart on the back on top of the skewer point. Tape the skewer in place.  I’m big on finishing touches so I added two stickers to cover the tape.

Cut 3 pieces of 15-inch long curling ribbon. Use one strand to tie all of them to the end of the heart and curl the ends. I think metallic really gives it that extra sparkle.

You can simply write a student’s name on the back, leave it plain or really add pizzazz by writing their name in glitter glue.  It’s worth the extra effort for the “wow!” effect you’ll get.

Lay them name up on your students’ desks on party day.

Click on the link to view/download the Valentine Heart Wand

Whatever you’re doing I hope it truly is magical!

Scroll down for article #2 - another quick surprise for your kiddo's.

Garland On The Go:

The Perfect Valentine's Day Crown For Little Girls + Paper Plate Crowns For the Guys!

Trust me when I say these heart garland “crowns” will be a hit with your little girls for Valentine’s Day. 

I wanted to post some past pix of my little cherubs wearing these, but parents are picky about the Internet, So...

I erased my students' faces, but the photographs looked like something out of a spooky movie.  I think you'll get the idea from Sloopy the sheep. 

Chloe, my puppy, was having nothing to do with me and Valentine crowns,

after I put a birthday party hat on her Saturday.

I made these metallic heart crowns for the first time 13 years ago when I was a teacher’s aid for 2^nd grade.

When my class came in from recess, over a dozen little girls from other classes followed them, begging me to please make them one too!

PTL I had extra supplies so I could.  They have continued to be a hit year after year.

Don’t leave the boys out tho’.  They need some sort of “manly” crown.  I make these out of valentine border and let them slap a heart in the middle with their name on it.  Sentence strips also work well.

While on Pinterest, (How addicting is that?)  I found a quick heart crown at alphamom.com Her adorable daughters are pictured in these cute paper plate crowns. Click on the link to check out her very creative site.

This red pointy, heart-tipped crown, comes from Enchanted Learning.  Click on the link for directions.  Valentine Paper Plate Crown.

The white one is from Aunt Annie, another fun site for cute ideas.  Valentine Paper Plate Crown #2

Any of these would be great for the males in your class.

Here's How To Make A Heart Garland Wreath For The Girls:

The Dollar Store and just about any other craft store sells the metallic heart garland.

Cut 22-inch lengths of garland.  I use two strings so that there are more hearts, but you can get away with a single strand too.

Twist the ends together to make a circle.  This can easily be crimped to tighten around a little girl’s head so they don't slip off.

In the photo, I used red tinsel that I bought 80% off after Christmas, along with pre-curled metallic ribbon bows.  Simply loop it around one end and tie with a piece of ribbon that then cascades down and blends in with the rest.

I’ve also made the crowns extra special, by using a variety of real ribbon cut in various lengths, whenever I’ve found it on sale by the bolt, at  fabric and crafts stores.

So that they don’t get tangled, loop them over a coat hanger ‘til you deliver them to the delighted dainty damsels on Valentine’s Day; they'll feel like fairy princesses!

Click on the link to print the article's directions and pix. Valentine Crowns

I would enjoy hearing your Valentine's Day ideas: diane@teachwithme.com OR...post a comment here, especially if you use an idea.

Be sure and stop back tomorrow for more Valentine fun!