Valentine's Day for Kids

It's that time again... time to break out the school list to send all of your children's classmates Valentine's Day cards for Valentine's Day. Instead of purchasing the overdone cartoon valentines found at the local store, try something new this year. Here are some creative valentines your kids will be proud to bring to class.

Handmade Candy Valentines:

Sources from MS

Sweet Spot Hearts: 

Snip candy hearts for an entire class in a snap. To make, cut a heart from a strip of candy dots, and glue it to a piece of construction paper. With scalloping scissors, cut construction paper to create a border around the heart.

Personalized Candy Bags:
To make these custom treat packages, cut out a picture of your child, scan it, and print onto heavyweight matte paper. Cut tags using pinking shears for the bottom edges, draw hearts, and stamp or write a message on each one. Fold the tags and tape them to cellophane bags filled with sweets.

Heart-and-Lollipop Flowers: 
1. Use card stock to make a half-heart template about 3 inches high and 1 1/4 inches wide. Fold a 12-by-3 1/2-inch piece of construction paper in half vertically, and trace four half-hearts along the fold.
2. Cut out hearts; unfold.
3. Stack hearts; punch a hole 1/4 inch up from bottom. Position petals to form a flower, making sure holes line up. Secure by applying glue around holes; let dry. Write name on a petal. Insert lollipop.

Baked Valentines:

Sources & Recipes:
X's and O's Cupcakes
Warm & Fuzzy Heart Cookie Pops
Rice Krispie Valentine Treats

For the ambitious bakers, you may want to try these pops:

Source & How-To:
Valentine's Day Cake Pops

For the less ambitious bakers, try this super easy fix:

Source: Easy Valentine Treats
Oreo Cakesters + heart shaped cutter = cute and easy Valentine's Day treats. These would be easy for kids to do by themselves.

Simple Super Bowl Fixes

Still debating what to serve all the football fans this Sunday? Let's face it, guys like simple. Desserts that are simple are easy to make and usually taste the best. Here are some simple, no fuss desserts that will perfectly accompany chili and nachos.

Recipes:
Mini Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Chocolate Nutty Mini Football Treats

These snack mixes are perfect to munch on while watching the game. You may want to make a double batch because they go quickly! Pick your favorite from the three different varieties below.

Recipes:
Crisp & Spicy Snack Mix
Orange Chipotle-Spiced Pecan Mix
Sweet Chipotle Snack Mix

Many Ways With Rice Krispie Treats

Rice krispie treats are the perfect way to reminisce on childhood memories while getting your fingers sticky in such gooey deliciousness. While the plain treats will always be yummy, here are some ideas to liven up your treats. 

 

The top left photo shows how these simple treats can be turned into decadent desserts by making caramel turtle rice krispie treats. Following is a creative rice krispie pop which includes: white chocolate, dried cranberries, and macadamia nuts. Next is a rice krispie smores sandwich. What could be better than to enjoy one of those in front of an open fire!?

The adorable apple shaped rice krispie pops (image via bakerella) just gives you an idea of the different kinds of shapes you can make with these treats, and how you can also put these shapes on pops.

The rice krispie house is a great way to get the whole family involved. Besides decorating the house with candies, you can also decorate the yard by using green gum drops as trees and create a snowman from white gum drops. 

Can you believe that this sushi display is actually made out of rice krispies!? It looks so real that I had to take a second look. This all comes together by using candy (flavored tootsie rolls, fruit roll ups, airheads, and assorted gummies) for the fish and the rice krispie treats for the rice. [image via death by cupcake]

For those of you looking for wedding favor ideas, this bride and groom pair of rice krispie treats is too cute! Speaking of weddings, the rice krispie wedding cake is an original idea that can be made the same size as a wedding cake, or can make a nice groom's cake alternative.     

Since Thanksgiving is not too far away, I thought it was appropriate to include turkey rice krispie treats.