This year Olivia and I made really fun, unique, recyclable Valentine's for her friends. And we had a LOVEly time working side-by-side making them, too.
We made Valentine Candy Poppers. They're different from a party popper. They are still a great deal of fun, but they are edible (the contents that is), less messy, and very inexpensive to create.
We started with bathroom tissue paper rolls (we save these for crafts throughout the year) and then collected Mod Podge, a sponge brush, scissors, a pencil, and Valentine paper.
To begin, we stood a bathroom tissue paper roll up onto the Valentine paper. We traced around the tube to form a circle.
Next, we cut a rough circle out-larger than the circle we drew. Then, we cut slits inward, up to the pencil markings (like a sunshine).
Using a sponge brush we applied Mod Podge around the top of the roll and began pressing down the cut edges of the circle.
When complete, the roll had a cover on one end.
After drying completely, we turned the roll over and filled with candies. We chose pink and silver wrapped Hershey's extra creamy chocolate hearts.
Then, we cut another circle out the same way in which we had before and glued it on the open end.
Laying out the Valentine paper on a flat surface, we then cut a rectangular piece of paper out to roll around the tube.
Again we used our sponge brush and Mod Podge to slowly work the paper around the tube adhering it until we covered the entire bathroom tissue paper roll.
Voila! We had a Valentine Candy Popper.
Lastly, I tied some ribbon around the tube and finished it off with a bow and tag (heart shaped, of course :) )
To get inside and reveal the Valentine sweets, the recipient can either pop the tube by squeezing the sides or by popping the end with their finger.
Happy Valentine Candy Popping!
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Shhhhhhh...don't say anything, but I am making larger versions of these with paper towel rolls to give to Olivia, Isaac, and Joshua on Valentine's Day. I am filling them with Valentine chocolates, as well as other small treasures.
What a neat idea! I know Olivia enjoyed building them.
Dad
Posted by: Dad | February 11, 2011 at 05:23 AM
Those are so cute.
Posted by: Iris cummins | February 11, 2011 at 06:43 AM
What a clever gift! Valentine's Day was always a favorite time of the year when I was Olivia's age. We always made a personal Valentine Box (covered a shoebox) to place in our classroom to receive our Valentines. She will have sweet memories from making these Valentine Poppers with you. I am sure she will pass this craft on to her children.
Posted by: Aunt Jane | February 11, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Fun idea. Hope your family has a happy Valentine's day!
Posted by: Renee | February 11, 2011 at 09:07 PM
These are so cute and simple! Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Pamela- The Culdesac Mom | February 12, 2011 at 08:19 AM
fabulous idea ! thanks for sharing !
Posted by: Rachel | February 12, 2011 at 08:24 AM
Simple + cute, the perfect craft! I remember getting Valentines in grade school... I always thought the best ones were the ones that had candy! Yum!!
Posted by: Carolina Moore | February 13, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Sweet (and economical) idea. Thanks! I don't know if I'll make these for Valentine's Day but I really like the idea. Maybe a little confetti inside would be fun and not too messy. I'm going to save some TP cardboard tubes.
Posted by: Dianne Faw | January 10, 2012 at 03:01 PM
What a simple, yet very cute craft for kids to make for their friends. Your idea can be used for any holiday! Thanks!!
Posted by: Martha | February 10, 2012 at 11:56 PM
also you could use the wraping paper card board it would be a big one:)
Posted by: kinnie | January 23, 2013 at 02:04 PM
Easy and cute craft project! Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Lana | February 05, 2013 at 04:43 AM