When the urge to wax romantic strikes, these melted-crayon valentines really fit the bill. Parents will need to do a little ironing here, but shaving the crayons is a job that kids can really put their hearts into.

Materials

• Crayons (light and bright colors work best)
• Handheld pencil sharpener
• Waxed paper
• Large paper grocery bags

• Ironing board and iron
• Scissors
• Permanent marker

Instructions

1. Peel the paper off the crayons. Use a pencil sharpener to shave them over a large sheet of waxed paper, spreading the shavings thinly and leaving a wide blank border around the edges of the paper.

2. Place a flattened paper bag on your ironing board, then set the crayon-covered waxed paper on top of it. Cover the shavings with a second piece of waxed paper and then another flattened bag. Heat the iron on the medium or wool setting, then slowly and evenly press the surface of the top bag (a parent's job). Continue ironing until the crayon shavings are evenly melted (peek under the bag to check).

3. Once the waxed paper is cool, your child can cut out a bunch of hearts. If he opts for larger hearts, he can use a permanent marker to print greetings directly on them. Smaller confetti-style hearts are great for filling store-bought cards.

Variations:

For an extra-special surprise, hang a stained-glass heart in this simple stand-up frame. To make one, cut two 4-inch squares out of colored card stock. Cut matching 2-inch-wide circles from the centers of the squares and discard them. Now cut 1-inch notches in each square as illustrated in the diagrams at right. Fit the squares together so that the notches interlock, as shown, and use thread and tape to hang a heart in the opening.

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Find more about:

• 1 Hour |
• All Ages |
• Cards |
• Drawing |
• Drawing Supplies |
• Hearts |
• Paper Crafts |
• Preschooler |
• School Age |
• Tween |
• Valentine's Day

Related Categories:

• Valentine's Day Cards |
• Drawing Projects |
• February 2002