Activity: Heart Stamp

Help your child make and share a distinctive homemade Valentine's Day heart stamp with someone special.

Materials:

• card paper
• paper plate
• sponge
• scissors
• paint (red, pink, white, and/or other colors)
• writing tools (markers, colors, etc.)
• Optional: glitter

Directions:
Cut a sponge into a heart shape. Pour a shallow amount of paint into paper plate. Gently dip heart-shaped sponge into paint. Wipe any drips off and lightly press heart onto a flat or folded paper card. Write a heart-felt message, sign, and date the card to share with a good friend or special family member. Options: Sprinkle glitter into wet paint for added sparkle; allow sponge to dry then glue onto cardstock for a dimensional Valentine's Day card design.

Talk about It: Ask your child to name loved ones, including special friends. Then talk about what characteristics these people have that make them so special, trusted, and so much fun to be around. Ask your child to also name someone that he/she would like to get to know better and become friends with.

Take it Further: Use sponges to cut out name stamps for personalizing pillow cases. First, draw a name in "bubble letters" on a piece of paper that is the size of sponge to be used. Cut out name (letters will be connected and not separated). Then lay name on top of sponge and cut sponge. Brush sponge letters with fabric paint, or dip sponge into paint plate. Press stamp on pillow cases, bags, t-shirts, socks, or hand towels a fun personalized touch.

With a Group: Make group time with friends even more fun by using sponge stamps to create a community wall at your meeting place. If a spare wall isn't available, use a bed sheet or butcher paper to hang your group's original designs or personalized messages.