Valentine Ideas for Infants/Toddlers!

[RSNutt]

I just started back in the work force and I've got the best job. I care for infants in a Daycare Center. I love my Job!!! They don't usually do anything for the babies on Valentine's Day, but I would like to show my love for these precious babies with something cutsey to take home. Any Ideas, Ladies?

[buggainok]

That's wonderful that you want to make something for the little ones....but I'm stumped myself about ideas for babies and toddlers.

My dd has 6 children, the youngest being 2-1/2 and one year old. This age puts everything in their mouths and anything I can think of to make with paper would be a choking hazard I'm afraid!

I'm also afraid of most kinds of candy for that age, and it's not very healthy for them anyway.

I'm making things for the older kids, but will probably just pick up something "safe" at a Dollar Store for the littlest kids, like a tiny stuffed toy.

If you want to make something, you could get a roll of those sugar cookies with a Valentine theme and make some of them. You could put them in plastic bags with a cute tag. Then the moms could take the cookies out and give them to the kids.

[RSNutt]

Sugar Cookies with a cute topper, maybe? Tag idea would probably be easier, tho. Thanx Bugga, I will seriously consider it!

[Busyb]

I have made little holders like the sour cream ones or the belly bands for candy bars and instead put a container of baby food in it or the baby granola bars. I just look in the baby food isle and wrap it up cute.

[Carny1230]

I agree with the baby food idea. I am taking valentines to my 2 year olds daycare and I got the Target $1.00 buckets and dollar spot socks and sticker books for the 2 year and older kids, and I will probably put in some fruit snacks too. There is one baby (6 mos) so I got him a cute pair of baby socks (also in the $1 spot) to stick with the theme and I am going to put a couple jars of baby food in his bucket. Not really stamping anything. Maybe the name tags to go on them.

[xoimagineusox]

I work with infants too. Not sure what we're doing this year , but you could maybe make their hand prints or foot prints into a heart and attach a little poem?

[ineedthat]

This is more for the babies' moms, but I always loved getting handprints or something my kids "made" in their toddler class. We still hang them up at the holidays. I love looking at how little their hands and feet used to be. Maybe include a photo?
Again, it's more of a parent gift...

[Silvermel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoimagineusox

I work with infants too. Not sure what we're doing this year , but you could maybe make their hand prints or foot prints into a heart and attach a little poem?

My mom takes care of my two children while hubby and I are working (I don't know what I'd do without her!) and last year she put each of their hand prints (using a water based inkpad) in simple frames and let the kids decorate with foam adhesive hearts. She helped my daughter (who is 1) and my son made his own (he's 3). I still have them on my desk.

I took plain white cards and gave the kids foam hearts as well to decorate. We sent these to the grandparents with pictures. They had a lot of fun with that. Kids at this age love anything that resembles a sticker! ;)

[NanaKaren]

When my daughter was in first grade (she is now 41 years old), I received in the mail a valentine from her. It was something everyone in the class made and her dear teacher, Mrs. Tyson, mailed out. I still have it. It was a large folded piece of paper with her footprints in red ink on it and the words "I love you from the bottom of my sole".

[RSNutt]

Ladies, these are all great ideas. Thanx for sharing!

[klpt58]

What about a cute laminated tag for their diaper bag? This is what my DD church did for the nursery VBS class. It was simple but laminated and still hangs on her bag. Not sure how many kids you have, but a simple paperbag scrapbook with photos shot during the time you keep them would be sweet. I think Valentine's is really about the thought, so anything would be appreciated.
Kathy T

[sbbolz]

Morning! I work at a daycare in the toddler room and I have to decide to make Little treat bags with Cinnamon teddy graham crackers, and with a little tag that will say something like "Bear Hugs for Emma!" Love Miss. Sara (that's what they call us "teachers") I also thought I would use the cute little bear from Under the Stars set, I found this idea in my family fun magazine... here is the link http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and...&craftid=12115

I will post mine when they are finished!
Have a great weekend!
Sara

[nancystamps]

Send a valentine home to their parents from the babies! The parents will eat it up. Take their picture, attach to a heart shaped doily on a card and embellish. Maybe "sign" the inside with a handprint done with non-toxic washable paint.

When my DD was in daycare, her caregiver took her picture (for Easter), cut it into an egg shape, and simply attached it to an Easter decorated paper cup with her name on it. Filled with shred and a few treats. I still have it! (DD is now 14!!!)

[RSNutt]

Gosh, Ladies, these are ALL great ideas. Thanx for sharing your memories of positive days gone by about your children with us. It's touching.

[Winnipeg1]

When my girls were just shy of two last year, I made them postcard style valentine cards and then laminated them so they could handle them and put them in their mouth all they wanted.

[debbyb520]

If they are around 9 months old, how about stamped bag toppers and fill the bags with cheerios or rice krispies. They are considered good first finger foods. Also they sell little tiny canvas bags that you could stamp and put a jar of babyfood fruit in side

[little red petal]

When my son was that age, he DID put everything in his mouth and many of those foods mentioned were still to advanced for him to eat. So I would see if you can find maybe a little stuffed valentines animal or something soft in the dollar bins for each child. Then it is okay for them to chew on, and is still Valentines themed.
Or, you could sew two pieces of felt shaped like hearts together with a bit of batting in the middle so it was stuffed, and put a ribbon loop on it, as I know babies love to chew on ribbons.

[Barbarar20]

That was going to be my recommendation. You can cut two hearts out of felt whatever size you want. Before you sew them together, add a few little loops of half inch wide ribbon of different textures ( satin, grosgrain etc. ), then sew them together and stuff with batting. My granddaughter, loves to play with the "taggies" and the heart is soft so she can sleep with it too. Not sure that you want to make twenty or so of them, but depending on how many babies you have, it is a cute gift.

[Silvermel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NanaKaren

When my daughter was in first grade (she is now 41 years old), I received in the mail a valentine from her. It was something everyone in the class made and her dear teacher, Mrs. Tyson, mailed out. I still have it. It was a large folded piece of paper with her footprints in red ink on it and the words "I love you from the bottom of my sole".

Oh that is so cute! I know what I'm making for the grandparents this year!

[1gr8lady]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbbolz

Morning! I work at a daycare in the toddler room and I have to decide to make Little treat bags with Cinnamon teddy graham crackers, and with a little tag that will say something like "Bear Hugs for Emma!" Love Miss. Sara (that's what they call us "teachers") I also thought I would use the cute little bear from Under the Stars set, I found this idea in my family fun magazine... here is the link http://<span style="color:RoyalBlue"...d=12115</span>

I will post mine when they are finished!
Have a great weekend!
Sara

Thank you Sara! I now know what I am going to make for my 15 month old grandson for Valentine's Day.

Connie

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by debbyb520

If they are around 9 months old, how about stamped bag toppers and fill the bags with cheerios or rice krispies. They are considered good first finger foods. Also they sell little tiny canvas bags that you could stamp and put a jar of babyfood fruit in side

This is a good idea, but be sure that the cereal you choose does not fall into a "food allergy" category. I know quite a few kids these days seem to be allergic to corn products; my grandson, for one.

My dd couldn't figure out why he had such "diaper" problems usually only on Saturdays. Turns out they were letting all the kids choose "special cereals" on Saturday mornings, and he was choosing corn based ones which upset his tummy quite a bit.

[sbbolz]

Hi Ladies, I uploaded the sample of the treats I am in the process of making for my toddlers, check out my gallery, I wasn't sure how to add a picture in the forum.

Thanks Much, Have a great Night.
Sara

[krystie lee]

I had my then 2-year old daughter make Valentine treat bags for her 1 & 2 year old daycare friends. She helped make the treat bags (a fun project!) and they contained bubbles, tiny play-dough containers, stickers, and other stuff.

You can see a picture of the finished bags here.

[fura]

Thanks for the idea. I'm going to make my nieces & nephews some treat bags for Valentine's Day. I found these last night at Target that says "Owl heart you forever" that I'm going to use to hold the treats.

[dasimonds]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fura

Thanks for the idea. I'm going to make my nieces & nephews some treat bags for Valentine's Day. I found these last night at Target that says "Owl heart you forever" that I'm going to use to hold the treats.

These are Adorable treat Bags

[k dunbrook]

It is probibly too late for this year but I found this idea which would be great for a toddler because it is big enough for them to hold onto.....maybe next year.
http://www.chefmessy.com/2009/02/hap...-out-loud.html


~Karen~

[Robin Lee]

I'm excited about the Valentine that I made for my two grandsons, 18 months & 3 months. Here's the link>
http://stampingcountry.typepad.com/s...grandsons

[meluvstampin]

A few years ago I gave a few bibs to babies in our family with a stamped card for Valentines.
Or you make a 81/2 x 11 scrapbook page valentines themed and give it to Mom & Dad to put baby's picture on.

[lovin' stampin']

My son is in the toddler class and I decided to go with the prepackaged bags of goldfish. It's probably a little bit more expensive but thought the center would like something that is intact/store bought. I wrapped a band around the bag and stamped happy valentines day on the front with a cut out fish from the very punny set. They look cute. I was going to give the little tubs of playdoh but then realized some kids there like to taste everything so I thought goldfish was the safest route.
His Valentine party is today so we'll how they like them. I'm sure the kids won't care, just that they get goldfish bags!
On a side note, I made the teachers small diaper fold pouches with chocolates in them to thank them for all that they do.