20 Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids

With just a little TLC, colorful hearts flourish as the petals of a new flower variety -- one with a lollipop center and stem.

To make these custom treat packages, cut out a picture of your child, scan it, and print onto heavyweight matte paper. Cut tags using pinking shears for the bottom edges, draw hearts, and stamp or write a message on each one. Fold the tags and tape them to cellophane bags filled with sweets.

Send a touching message with valentines traced from little hands.

If the sun seems to peer right into your window, give it something pretty to look at -- and through. These translucent hanging hearts are easy to make from waxed paper and crayons. In return, sunbeams will color your room with cheer.

Fill flattened cupcake liners with candy for a treat you won't have to bake. The liners' pleats nicely frame scrap-art pictures or paper hearts (we used scalloping scissors to trim some). Use a craft punch or paper flowers to make cute borders.

Store- bought treats are more special when covered in pretty patterned paper. Pen a note on the underside or on a tag attached with waxed twine. Tuck gum into a card stock "matchbook" stamped with a message; sticks of gum sold in large packs often have plain white wrappers that are perfect for decorating with stickers. A lollipop adorned with a sticker and taped to a card stock heart will also be welcome, as would button candy slipped into a small paper bag embellished with die-cut scrap art (available at crafts stores).

This punched Valentine's Day clip-art card doubles as a handy bookmark.

Snip delightful candy hearts for an entire class in a snap.

Make these fun secret messages for your valentines.

This practical valentine marks the sweetest spot in a book.

Surprise a loved one by hanging a heart-shaped container filled with candy on his doorknob or near his computer.