Tissue Paper Hearts

What You Need:

• Cardboard
• Tissue paper (red, white and pink) cut into 2 inch squares
• Pencil
• Glue (not a glue stick)
• Paper or plastic bowl or plate
• Scissors  

What You Do:

1. Draw a large heart on the cardboard and cut it out. This will be the base of your decoration, so feel free to make it any size you wish. If your child wants to do a few different colors on your heart, it's best to make it large enough to accomodate all the colors.
2. Encourage your child to cut out small squares of tissue about two inches on each side. To make them quickly, fold the tissue and cut along the folds to save time.
3. Place some white craft glue in a small bowl.
4. Help your child take a piece of tissue and place it flat under the bottom of the pencil eraser. Gently pull the sides of the tissue up along the pencil and give them a twist.
5. Holding the tissue against the pencil, dip the eraser side into the glue. Try not to saturate it—a little will go a long way!
6. Show your child how to hold the pencil straight down on the cardboard, where you want the tissue to go, and hold it there for five seconds. Then gently pull the pencil out of the tissue. You may have to wriggle it out a little.
7. Keep repeating this process and fill up the entire heart. When the tissues have dried, you can gently push them down to create a more rose petal-like effect.
8. Voilà! Your kid has practiced his fine motor skills and made some lovely Valentine's decorations in the process! You can even use them as a special card and write a love note on the back.