Happy Valentine's Day!

February 7th

Hello Blogging Moms~

This week we are focusing on friendship and Valentine's Day. We are introducing one of our favorite art projects that is fun to do with all ages. Marble painting is easy and requires very little preparation. Get out your tempera paints and let your little ones be creative!

Theme: Valentine's Day

Materials Needed:

Construction paper

Tempera paint (pink, red, and white)

Two or three marbles per color

Shallow box or box lid

Scissors

Glue

Markers/Crayons

Plastic cups for the paint

Developmental Skills: creative thinking, cutting, gluing, folding paper, listening and following directions

Activity: Marble Painting Hearts

Place the different colored paints in plastic cups and a piece of construction paper in the shallow box or box lid. Depending on the age of your child, you can let them place several marbles in each cup of paint. With a plastic spoon, place the marbles on the paper and allow your child to gently tilt the box to roll the marbles on the paper. Depending on the amount of paint desired, you can repeat this process until the paint has covered the construction paper. Allow paint to dry.

After the paint has dried, help your child cut out different size hearts. Demonstrate how to fold the paper in half and cut the hearts on the fold. You may need to trace the hearts for your child to practice cutting them out. Remember not to make them too small, as it is difficult for young children to handle scissors and you do not want them to become frustrated.

Next, you can arrange the hearts on a large piece of construction paper for a Valentine's Day placemat or picture. Your child can make a Valentine's Day card for a loved one or attach them to a plate of heart shaped cookies and deliver them to a neighbor or friend. The possibilities are endless!

The most important part of this activity is to have fun and allow your child the freedom to be creative.

** We will be doing another activity on Thursday using hearts so you may want to save a few you made today.

Extension Activities:

Feel free to use other materials such as glitter, stickers, etc.

Play Hide-n-Seek with the hearts.

Attach them to green pipe cleaners and place them in a small flower pot for a centerpiece.

Make a Valentine hat.

Decorate a shoebox with the hearts and have family members exchange Valentines.