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.

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.

Create this card by making signs out of construction paper, doilies, and adhesive letters from an office-supply store. Photograph your child holding the signs, then tape the pictures to construction paper and fold the card accordion-style.

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).

Send a touching message with valentines traced from little hands.

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

These easy frames are as cheerful and humble as the illustrations they're meant for.

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.

Warm someone up by adding a handwritten note to a tea bag. Cut two hearts out of red construction paper using a heart-shaped crafter's hole punch (available at crafts stores). Use a metallic pen to write a short message on one of the hearts. Next, remove a tea-bag tag and, at the end of the string, affix two hearts, back-to-back, using double-sided tape or a stapler. Package bags to give as a present, or steep one in hot water and serve.

Get your baby ready to fight the winter chill: a festive pilot's cap embellished with felt hearts helps keep tiny ears toasty. Cut two large hearts from felt. Then use a needle and thread to stitch them to the cap at three points. If you want the decoration to be permanent, affix hearts with fabric glue before sewing.

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.

Stamped soaps, inspired by candy conversation hearts, are great gifts for friends. Put in cellophane bags tied with tags; adorn with glitter.

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