5 Valentine's Day Projects for You and the Kids

Love is in the air or at least friendship with the little ones. We can discuss fun things you can do with the smaller set from decorating cookies to practicing fine motor skills by cutting out a variety of hearts to homemade Valentines!

Roses and romance may be on the adult list for Valentine's Day, but for kids it's all about chocolate and crafts! So soak up your time together and create a project as a family before they become love struck teenagers.

Here are five easy projects to get you started.

1. Decorate cookies: Pick up a few heart shaped cookie cutters and a roll of sugar cookie dough. Roll out the dough and let your kids stamp out various sized hearts. Bake them, and when they cool, set up a few bowls of toppings like pink and red frosting, sprinkles, and conversation hearts. Bonus: You'll have edible masterpieces to share with friends and family.

2. Hand/Footprint art: What parent doesn't swoon over a cute project that includes prints of tiny hands and feet? All it takes is a little washable paint and a few sheets of paper. You can make red flowers out of hand prints or footprints, and hearts from two thumb prints next to each other. The possibilities are endless. Write the age of your child under their print and it becomes the perfect keepsake for years to come.

3. Cut out hearts galore: Kids love a reason to decorate the windows, and parents love a teachable moment. Cutting out various sized hearts from construction paper is a great way for kids to practice fine motor skills. Take it one step further and have them write messages on the hearts or decorate them before you hang them up.

4. A Valentine box: If your child is in school, it's inevitable that they're going to come home with loads of Valentine's. Before they do, get out an old shoe box (or any box will do) and a bunch of different items to decorate them with, whether it be sequins, stickers, or buttons of pom poms. Cover the outside of the box with heart wrapping paper or even pink construction paper and let your kids decorate the afternoon away.

5. Make your own themed snack mix: Kids love to "cook" and parents appreciate when the preparation doesn't involve actual cooking. Making a trail mix or snack mix they can bag up for their friends is perfect — and will also help with counting and measuring. Gather three to four snack items, some suggestions include pink and red M &Ms, mini marshmallows, pretzels (heart shaped if you can find them), and Chex. Have your kids measure out different amounts into a large bowl, mix it up and it's ready to bag up. Buy cute little themed plastic bags and you have the perfect shareable treat.