Does your child LOVE making and playing with pretend play pieces? Well we have an awesome Valentine’s Day themed kid craft tutorial for them today!

Keep scrolling to see our Valentine “I Love You” Puppet Friends come to life within minutes!

There’s even a small heart printable in this blog post, so your newly-made friends have something to hold! #gluedtomycrafts

Sometimes you just need a quick craft idea that doesn’t need a lot of steps OR a lot of materials, to keep the kids entertained. Am I right? Something that you just throw on the table and say “here are the supplies – now go!”

With today’s Popsicle Stick Valentine “I Love You” Puppet Friends tutorial, you don’t have to worry about added stress or mess! This crafty idea works around what you have in your stash {already} and what your child wants to do! No need to run to the store or fuss with this one!

And not only will they have great pretend play pieces to play with afterwards BUT they also double as handmade valentines you can give out to friends & family this upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday!

Find all the details below, as well as the FREE HEART PRINTABLE to get you started!

Happy crafting, my friends!! #gluedtomycrafts

Valentine Puppet Friends Craft Supplies:

• Free “I Love You” Heart Printable
• White Cardstock
• Color Printer
• Paper Scissors
• Single Hand Paper Hole Punch
• Jumbo Popsicle Sticks {one per puppet}
• Pipe Cleaners {one per puppet}
• School Glue
• Paint Pens or Colored Markers
• Colored Cardstock or Craft Foam
• optional – glitter glue, stickers, tiny wiggle eyes, bows etc.

Directions:

• First things first – if you haven’t already, download the FREE heart file listed above in the supply section.
• Print one copy of the file, in color, on white cardstock. With one printable you can make SIX friends {you will have three hearts with “I Love You” and three hearts that are blank.}
• Using scissors, go ahead and trim out the hearts for the craft.
• Grab one heart cutout and your hole punch. Punch TWO holes {one on each side} of the heart. This will make it easy for your puppet to hold it. Repeat for each puppet you are making. Set aside.
• Now grab your jumbo popsicle stick and choice of craft medium for decorating.
• Decorate your craft stick however you like, to bring it to life. Glue on wiggle eyes, add on glitter hair, funny outfits – whatever you heart desires! Remember – it’s also whatever you have in your stash already, so let those creative juices flow!
• When done decorating, set aside to let the pieces dry.
• When you are ready to assemble, grab your popsicle stick, pipe cleaner and heart cutout. Twist the pipe cleaner a few times around the popsicle stick to look like arms. Go ahead and slip the area that would be the “hands” of the puppet, inside the heart cutout {you might have to trim down the pipe cleaner!}
• And that’s it! Now bend your pipe cleaners arms and pose your Valentine puppet friends so they look like they are really holding the heart :-)
• If you would like, add other embellishments you see fit before playing, gifting or displaying proudly!
• Don’t forget – the blank hearts are great for personal messages!

At Glued To My Crafts we LOVE encouraging you to keep the crafty fun going! 

So on that note, please be sure to linger on our site a bit and check out our Paper Bowl Pretend Play Grill, Pretend Play Clay Donuts and Felt Pretend Play Popsicles – Kid Craft posts!

And if you decide to make any of our craft tutorials today, please share with us pictures or comments. We love hearing from our readers! #gluedtomycrafts