Preschool Engineering Valentines

Last year I was forced to innovate for Valentine's Day. All the store-made Valentines were sold out and I had to find something for my son to give to his classmates. I created "You Blow Me Away" gifts for $5 + elbow grease. I was so excited about what I created that I felt inspired to think of more. Here are some Valentine's Day ideas designed for mechanically-minded toddlers and preschoolers - Preschool Engineering Valentines.

For each gift I used pre-cut labels and printed a Valentine's Day wish. Then I stuck the label onto some construction paper and fastened the note to the gift. You can invite your child to participate in the making as you see fit. He or she child can decorate with markers, stickers, or glitter glue. For each Valentine I suggest a young-child-friendly task that is specific to that Valentine...

You Blow Me Away 
Materials: 
Bubble Wands
Ribbon
Construction Paper
Labels with Cheesy Valentine Note (You Blow Me Away)
Optional: Decorations for Labels (stickers, markers, etc)

Ideas for Child Tasks:
Thread ribbon through bubble wand
Decorate Label
Sign Name




Let's Stick Together 
Materials:
Glue sticks
Construction Paper
Tape
Labels with Cheesy Valentine Note (Let's Stick Together)
Optional: Decorations for Labels (stickers, markers, etc)

Ideas for Child Tasks:
Decorate Label
Sign Name
Stick Label on Construction Paper
Wrap Construction Paper Around Glue Stick

I'm Stuck on You 
Materials:
Post-it flags
Construction paper
Labels with Cheesy Valentine Note (I'm Stuck on You)
Glue (to adhere Post-it container to Paper)
Optional: Decorations for Labels (stickers, markers, etc)

Ideas for Child Tasks:
Decorate Label
Sign Name
Stick Label on Construction Paper
Glue Post-it Flags to Paper



You've Got Me Wrapped Around Your Finger 
Materials:
Pipe Cleaner
Construction paper
Hole Punch
Labels with Cheesy Valentine Note (You've Got Me Wrapped Around Your Finger)
Optional: Decorations for Labels (stickers, markers, etc)

Ideas for Child Tasks:
Decorate Label
Sign Name
Stick Label on Construction Paper
Use Hole Puncher
Wrap Pipe Cleaner around finger
Thread Pipe Cleaner Spiral through hole



You Pull My Heartstring
Materials:
Yarn (about 10 feet per valentine)
Cellophane bags
Construction paper
Labels with Cheesy Valentine Note (You Pull My Heartstring)
Optional: Decorations for Labels (stickers, markers, etc)

Ideas for Child Tasks:
Decorate Label
Sign Name
Stick Label on Construction Paper
Ball the Yarn


You Put a Spring in My Step 
Materials:

Slinkys
Construction paper
Hole Punch
Labels with Cheesy Valentine Note (You Put a Spring in My Step)
Optional: Decorations for Labels (stickers, markers, etc)

Ideas for Child Tasks:
Decorate Label
Sign Name
Stick Label on Construction Paper
Use Hole Puncher
Thread Slinky through hole in card