If you’re doing a school Valentine’s Day gift exchange and passing out Valentine cards, this is a sweet design for a paper bag Valentine card holder. This puppy themed Valentine mailbox craft is a great way to help kids put their valentines all in one spot and keep them contained when they bring them home.
You can also use this cute Valentine’s Day paper bag craft as a way to wrap a Valentine’s Day gift or as a lunch bag during the week of Valentine’s day celebrations.
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Why You’ll Love This Valentine Card Holder Craft
This craft is a fun way to get ready for a Valentine’s Day party for school age kids. It helps kids use their imaginations and practice their fine motor skills as they make their own adorable valentine holder.
It can be used to hold all kinds of Valentine’s Day treats or you can use it like a ‘mailbox’ in your classroom when it’s time to pass out valentines.
Materials
- Paper bag
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Red glitter paper
- Marker
- Brown craft paper
- Double-sided tape
Instructions
Step 1)
Gather supplies, download and print the template in this article.
Step 2
Trace the templates onto the corresponding colors of construction paper, referring to the step by step photos below.
Step 3)
Once the templates are traced onto the colored paper, cut them out.
Step 4)
Assemble the templates and attach them to the paper bag one by one using a glue stick or double-sided tape.
Attach the ears and eyes to the front of the bag, then attach the nose and tongue.
Step 5)
Cut a heart from the red glitter paper and another heart which is a little smaller than the first one.
Step 6
Attach the collar on both sides, at the middle of the bag. Attach the red glitter-paper heart in the center
Step 6)
Cut out a smaller red heart and write your name in it, then attach it in center of the glitter paper heart.
Step 7)
Lastly, attach the dog’s tail!
Video Instructions
If you prefer watching video instructions, check out the YouTube channel for CraftyKidsPlay! You can watch the How To Video for this Puppy Paper Bag Craft here!
Template Download
Use the download button below this image to get your free PDF template to help you make this cute DIY project. This puppy themed Valentine’s Day card holder template is for your own personal and individual use only, not for resale.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Provide Visual References:
Display finished examples or the step-by-step images in this article to guide children through the assembly process. Visual references can help them understand the sequence of steps.
Difficulty Cutting Small Shapes:
For younger children or those still developing cutting skills, assist in cutting out smaller and more intricate shapes.
Uneven Features:
If the eyes, ears, or other components appear uneven, encourage children to embrace the uniqueness of their creation.
Difficulty Tracing Templates:
If tracing templates becomes challenging, provide stencils or pre-cut templates to help younger children make their shapes.
Components Won’t Stick:
If components aren’t sticking well to the paper bag, double-check the adhesive being used. Consider using stronger glue or tape, or allow extra drying time for the components to set securely.
Emphasize Patience:
Reinforce the importance of patience during the crafting process. Waiting for glue to dry before moving on to the next step helps ensure a more polished final result.
Variation Ideas
Add Accessories:
Let kids personalize their paper bag puppies further by adding accessories like a bow around the neck, a bone in the mouth, or glitter glue and stickers. They could also use self-adhesive foam shapes like a large heart to help them decorate their project.
Patterned Paper:
Instead of using solid-colored construction paper, provide patterned or textured paper for a unique look. Patterns like polka dots, stripes, or hearts can add extra visual interest to the puppy’s features.
Benefits of This Paper Bag Valentine Card Holder Craft
Fine Motor Skills
Aside from the fact that this craft is so much fun, one of the benefits that makes it a great Valentine craft is how it helps kids develop fine motor skills.
Creating the Valentine’s Day paper bag puppy involves intricate cutting, tracing, and assembling, which are excellent activities for refining fine motor skills in children. Maneuvering the scissors to cut along the traced lines and attaching various components with precision contribute to the development of their hand-eye coordination and control.
Creativity
This is a great kids’ art project for Valentine’s Day because it is practical and cute. They’ll use their creativity and imagination to transform a simple brown paper bag into an easy Valentine’s Day card holder.
Crafting a puppy-shaped paper bag for Valentine’s Day allows children to unleash their creativity. They can choose colors, decide on the placement of features, and personalize the puppy to reflect their unique style. This freedom of expression promotes imaginative thinking and nurtures a sense of pride in their individual creations.
Cognitive Development:
The step-by-step nature of this craft provides a valuable opportunity for children to enhance their cognitive skills. Following instructions, such as tracing templates, cutting along lines, and assembling the puppy, encourages sequential thinking and fosters concentration as they progress through each step of the creative process.
Social and Emotional Development:
Writing their name on the heart and attaching it between the hands adds a personal touch to the craft. This small act not only encourages literacy skills but also contributes to social and emotional development as children express their identity and share their creations with others during a Valentine’s Day exchange.
Final Thoughts
Kids of all ages will love this puppy-themed Valentine’s bag. You can make a whole class set of them for a Valentine’s Day card exchange and by the end of the day, they’ll be full of small treats and happy memories.
Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more Valentine’s day craft ideas like these free printable Valentine’s day lollipop cards. Young kids will also love this Valentine’s Day sensory bin activity and these free printable Valentine’s Day playdough mats.
