Make a Paper Plate Purse

Easy, inexpensive, and fun, this is the perfect kind of spontaneous activity to do on a weekday afternoon. Not only does it keep little hands and creative minds busy, but it also uses materials you probably already have around the house. Once finished, your child will have a fun heart-shaped purse that makes a perfect carrier for her Valentine’s Day cards.

What You Need:

• 2 paper plates
• Markers or crayons
• Decorative accents such as beads, stickers, sticky foam cut-outs, gems, feathers, lace, or buttons
• Ribbon
• Stapler

What You Do:

1. Have your child decorate the paper plates using markers or crayons.
2. Fold each paper plate in half. Holding one paper plate in each hand with the folded edges facing away from each other, nest one of the plates inside the other at an angle so they form a heart.
3. Staple the plates together at the bottom and at the top of each side of the purse to secure them together.
4. Encourage your child to embellish the purse with decorative accents. The more embellishments, the more stunning the purse, so don't be shy!
5. Punch a hole near the top of each side of the purse and thread ribbon through.
6. Cut the ribbon to desired length and tie off into a bow.

Now your child has a fun heart-shaped purse to carry all her treasures!