Estimated time to make this valentine:
Approximately one hour.

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

Materials:
Paper (an 8" by 10" piece of paper is used in this example)
Cardboard (cut to same size as paper)
Scissors
Pencil
Paint, markers or crayons
Rubber cement
Clear adhesive paper if desired (like Contact brand)

Instructions:
1. Cut cardboard and paper to same size.
2. Create a Valentines Day message or picture on the piece of paper.
3. Glue picture to the piece of cardboard with the rubber cement.
4. If you want the puzzle to be more durable, cover the picture with a piece of the clear adhesive paper before cutting (available in most grocery or hardware stores or wherever Contact paper is sold).
5. Turn the cardboard over and with the pencil trace out curving designs from one end of the cardboard to the other to indicate the puzzle pieces. Don't make curves too small otherwise cutting will be more difficult.
6. Cut along the lines to create puzzle pieces.
7. Use an envelope for storage.

Other comments or suggestions to consider:
This project is easy, fun and can be adapted to any holiday or special event depending on what you choose as your picture and message. If you make more than one puzzle you may want to label the back of each of the puzzle pieces with their own unique letter. In the event that pieces get mixed up, you'll be able to quickly identify that the pieces with the letter "X" belong to the same puzzle.