This Valentine’s Day Craft Basket is my solution to one of our family’s constant problems . . .
G loves to do arts and crafts. She is at her happiest with a glue stick in her hand surrounded by construction paper, crayons, stickers, and an assortment of random items. She creates endlessly. Which is beautiful. Except when it isn’t- because sometimes the art projects can sprawl. And sometimes they take over the house and pieces of stickers and pipe cleaners are strewn from one end to the other.
In an attempt to allow her to maintain her creative outlet while maintaining my (slightly) clean house during this season of Valentine’s, I made her a Valentine Making Basket. In it she has all the supplies needed to create valentines as elaborate as she likes, but the supplies are contained, and there is a clear expectation that the supplies will go back where they belong. It has helped a lot to have all the supplies together. It seems to lessen the sprawl.
The basket sits on our sideboard in the dining room, easily accessed by her, but out of reach of Charlotte’s tiny fingers. She knows she can get it out anytime she wants, but has to put it away when she is finished. It also helps to have it mobile, because it means she can switch locations as desired, which is a huge plus for G. Sometimes she works on the floor, sometimes at the table.
I got the stickers and doilies from the Target One Spot. The foam heart stickers I put in a cute little cannister (I’m pretty sure it was also from the One Spot once upon a time) to keep them contained. The card stock is from our stash. Glue sticks and fun scissors are a must for any Gianna project, so they’re in the basket too. I also put in a little star shaped punch and scrap pieces of fun patterned paper.
G has been making Valentine’s all day. And my dining room does not look like a tornado swept through a JoAnn’s. So win!
This year we’re adding these fabulous Valentine’s from Catholic All Year to our Valentine’s day basket- They’re part of the Amazing Catholic Mom Bundle, and if you need any quick print-and-go Valentine’s for your homeschool group or classroom, these are definitely what you want!