Send a necklace, a heart and a message to your favourite valentine. Sally Medland, a Toronto kindergarten teacher, suggests giving these heart necklaces instead of cards to your family and friends. Easy and fun to make, they also make great hanging ornaments.

You need:
Bakers clay (recipe below)
Heart-shaped cookie cutters
Skewer
Red and white poster or acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Red, pink or white ribbon for hanging
Felt-tip permanent marker
Spray varnish

Recipe for baker's clay:
1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) salt
1/2 cup (125 mL) water

To make:
1. Make baker's clay by blending flour salt and water in food processor or by hand until consistency of dough. On floured surface knead dough until smooth, about 5 minutes.

2. Roll out dough to about 6 mm (1/4 inch) thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut into heart shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. with skewer, poke a hole for ribbon at top of each heart from both sides. Twist skewer to kae hole larger than necessary since the hole will shrink during baking.

4. Bake in 300F (150C) oven for one hour. Transfer hearts to wire racks; let cool.

5. Paint hearts red and pink (mix red and white paints for pink). Let dry.

6. Thread ribbon through hole. Tie in double knot at top of heart. Knot end together.

7. Using marker, draw a face on one side and write a personal message on the other side. Let dry.

8. Spray with varnish. Let dry. Spray again. Let dry.

Here are 3 easy Valentine's Day crafts for the kids to make at home.

Find more great kids' crafts here!

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