Hearts are just synonymous with Valentine's Day and so it stands to reason that lots of the Valentine's day crafts we have done over the years have focused on hearts. The kids loved making this Valentine's Day Mobile using tissue paper and these Bubble Wrap Hearts with re-purposed bubble wrap. I like to use ordinary materials in new ways and today's Valentine's Day craft for kids is no exception. We used some napkins and markers to make beautiful art prints that we turned into a heart banner.
You will need:
- Bounty napkins
- Art tray
- White paper 8.5 x 11 inches
- Scissors
- Washable makers
- Pipette
- Cup with water
- Clear thread (if you are making a banner)
- Tape (if you are making a banner)
Valentine's Day Craft
Cut the 8.5 x 11 paper in half. Place it on the art tray and place a Bounty napkin on top of it.
Let the kids get creative and draw whatever design they want on the napkin with the washable markers. My daughter chose to use Valentine's Day colors for Valentine's Day craft.
When the design is finished, use the pipette to squeeze water drops onto the colored napkin. Saturate the colored area of the napkin. This makes great fine motor practice for little kids.
Place the other half of the white paper on top of the napkin and press down with your hands.
Pull up the paper to reveal a pretty print!
As a bonus, when you lift up the napkin, you will have another pretty print on the paper underneath. The reason I love using the napkins is that you will notice a pattern in the art prints that will be unique each time.
Let the papers dry and then cut out some hearts. You can use these hearts in lots of ways - on cards, as Valentines or you can make a banner like we did. I tried to keep the hearts relatively the same size for the banner, but you can cut them whatever size you like.
Every heart will be different which I think adds to the interest if you are making a banner.
For our banner I used 13 hearts, but the number will vary based on where you wish to hang your banner. I used invisible thread and tape to put the banner together. I simply unrolled a length of thread and taped it to the back of the hearts.
You can use the napkin print technique in lots of ways. Change up the colors for different effects, cut the papers into different shapes, the possibilities are endless.
Jennifer Tammy
I love this! Such a good reminder that we don't need to raid the craft store to keep the kids happy and fulfilled creatively! My kids have started to dislike painting on construction paper so we were using more expensive cardstock all of the time, but napkins look like a fun and frugal alternative!
Vicky
Thanks Jennifer. I am nothing if not frugal and this activity can be modified in lots of ways.
simplegirl74
Really cute and cheap idea. I think my kids would enjoy the results of it as well.