Our sweet little cub is only two this year, so he is not quite at the age of understanding Valentine’s Day just yet. He is showered with love and affection each day, so for this toddler…the only difference in this time of year are the decorations that we are displaying at home. Right now, we can make his valentine’s treats from scratch and enjoy zero stress or worry as he enjoys them. I know that in the school years ahead on the horizon, we will miss these years of having complete control of his environment. There is a lot of comfort in not having to trust others to keep him, the little boy who our sun rises and sets on, safe.
This year for Valentine’s celebration, our Cub has enjoyed learning about the heart shape and the colors pink and red. We’ve painted and crafted our little hearts out (no pun intended!). We love Valentine’s day and we want our son to enjoy Valentine’s fun in all the years ahead. As a parent of a child with a food allergy, you are always thinking 10 steps ahead when it comes to food, so when I saw these wonderful and more importantly, food-less valentine ideas…I couldn’t help but smile. Most of these require that your little one be involved in actually spending time in making or putting something together for their friends…and giving time is honestly a greater expression of affection than giving food, isn’t it? We think so.
Here are Chew Chew Mama’s top 10 food-less Valentine favorites that were discovered after a little hunting and gathering. You can count on these being passed out to all the sweet little valentine’s in our Cub’s future. I’ve attached the link to each one so that you can go check out the full details from these wonderful and extremely creative bloggers!
Play doh valentine from the Random Thoughts of a Supermom (and yes, I think she is!). Find more information on this valentine here: http://the-wilson-world.blogspot.com/2012/01/play-doh-valentines-with-printable.html
Bubble Valentines by The Mother Huddle. This mom even tells you where to find the bubbles for cheap and tells you that they come in blue for you to make it little boy friendly too. Check out her blog – it’s awesome: http://www.themotherhuddle.com/blowing-kisses-your-way-valentines-with-printable/
Love these bouncy ball valentines from the Crafting Chicks. Our Cub is all boy and is a huge fan of anything bouncing! Find the printables for this valentine and other great ideas too: http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/02/one-more-simple-homemade-valentine-card-free-printable.html.
The Write Start posted these Adorable Fine Motor Practice…ahem…I mean Pencil Valentines (sorry…that’s the therapist shining through and I have had the gift of being influenced by many amazing occupational therapists in my career) More details for this valentine here: http://thewritestart.typepad.com/the_write_start/2010/02/pencil-love.html
The next five are from Dandee Designs. You can find these Valentine printables here: http://www.dandee-designs.com
Making Friendship Bracelets
Eye Spy Valentines
Felt Book Marks
Love Bug Valentine
Fortune Teller Valentines
Have a food safe Valentine’s Day!
If you have a food-less valentine idea to share please comment with the link below or on the Chew Chew Mama facebook page.
Candy says
🙂 We made the magnifying glass ones for our BBAT group this year! I love that they did not require candy!
chewchewmama says
I love that you made these! You’ll have to post a photo if you have one!