Estimated time to make this valentine:
30 minutes

Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School

Materials:
construction paper
card stock (pre-made or oak tag/poster board)
doilies
glue stick
scissors
heart shaped cookie cutter
glitter pen/glue

Instructions:
For younger children:

1. Purchase blank card stock with pre-made envelopes and doilies that are sized to fit (without cutting) the cards (i.e., slightly smaller than the dimensions of the cards).
2. Trace and cut a heart shape on construction paper using a cookie cutter (the heart shape should be smaller than the doily).
3. Glue the doily to the card.
4. Glue the heart onto the doily (note: if your child is too young to use scissors, use the cookie cutter to trace the heart directly onto the doily or just color the doily itself).

For older children:

1. Purchase oak tag/poster board to make the cards; fine quality paper to make the envelopes; and doilies that are sized to fit (without cutting) the cards.
2. Cut the card to the shape desired, fold, and press your crease down firmly; if you are using standard letter size paper for the envelopes, your folded card cannot be larger that 4?x6?.
3. Glue the doily to the card.
4. Use the cookie cutter to cut out a heart and glue the heart onto the doily (the heart shape should be smaller than the doily) (note: older children may not need the cookie cutter to create hearts - instead, fold the construction paper in half and cut out a half-heart or the shape of an ice cream cone, starting and ending from the folded end).
5. Decorate hearts with glitter pen/glue.

To make your envelope:

1. Lay your paper horizontally in front of you.
2. Fold top quarter and bottom quarter of paper to the middle (these will overlap).
3. Fold quarter of paper in from each side as well (these will not touch).
4. Cut side squares into triangles (tips pointing toward center).
5. Open up the entire paper and cut top and bottom folds into triangles as well (tips pointing toward center) and blunt off the top tip.
6. Finish by folding side pieces in.
7. Glue bottom triangle to your side pieces.

Other comments or suggestions to consider:
Make your valentine even more elaborate! Make a more permanent valentine out of matte board (not to be folded) or use fabric and lace to create your card. Or, hole-punch the top of your card and run ribbon through it to use as a decorative hanging and reminder throughout the year!