in the bottom of the diaper bag
in the car
in the high chair
in the car seat
on the floor
in my shoes
next to the sink
under the couch cushions…
If you have a toddler you may know exactly what I’m talking about. There is 1 common thread between those things mentioned above.
They’re all places that I would have found Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers when our kids were little.
I swear they multiplied into every crack and crevice that existed. The girls loved goldfish and until we were diagnosed with Celiac disease, they were the favorite snack in our house. When the girls were toddlers and preschoolers, goldfish crackers were the one snack that was always around at school snack time, playdates and birthday parties. I think kids inhale them by the pound.
For Valentine’s Day one year, Katherine and Caroline wanted to give out individual packs of goldfish crackers as their valentines. I wanted them to participate in some part of assembling their valentines so we made this cute printable to attach to them.
This is an easy and simple idea for kids of ALL ages to help with for Valentine’s Day.
What you need:
individual size bags of goldfish crackers (you could also use Swedish fish)
scissors
paper
printer
stapler
Katherine and Caroline were responsible for cutting the tags out. It was great practice cutting with kid scissors. I showed them where to cut and they did the entire project on their own. You could also use individual packs of Swedish fish. I then taught them how to use the stapler and closely supervised as they stapled each tag onto the bag of goldfish. The project didn’t look perfect but it was done all on their own, which was my intent. It made them feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Plus, I love it when you can tell that kids did the work!
Just this week I had Rebecca assemble some because she’s choosing to do the same valentines. She cut it herself with my scissors because we couldn’t find hers.
She decided to stop and smile for the camera. She LOVES having her picture taken.
She went on to staple the valentines to the bags by herself and even stood on the chair at the kitchen island to get the best leverage.
Then Caroline asked to do some. Rebecca didn’t want to leave the spotlight so she popped her head in the frame. In this photo Caroline is about to push Rebecca back. If you think my kids don’t fight, think again.
If you are looking for an additional idea for valentines, check out our printable valentines cards for perler beads.
Kristina Grum is a Certified Parent Educator who has over a decade of experience working with children, including being a classroom teacher. She currently teaches parenting classes in her local area and writes about shifting parenthood from barely surviving to thriving.
