It’s time for bed! You’re ready to turn in for the night and your child tells you that they need a Valentine’s Day box by tomorrow. Now it’s crunch time. Luckily, there are many ways to use everyday household objects to create a cute Valentine’s Day box! Here are just a few ideas for your child’s Valentine’s Day box.

Boxes

There are many ways to repurpose boxes. Shoeboxes, cereal boxes, and tissue boxes can all be used to create simple Valentine’s Day boxes. Cover them with construction paper. Then, you can draw whatever designs you’d like! Adding stickers, drawings, and more can add to the appearance of the Valentine’s Day box. Once the box is covered with construction paper, you can use scissors or a box cutter to create an opening for valentines.

Monsters

A monster Valentine’s Day box is much easier than it sounds, especially with a tissue box. With the tissue box, place googly eyes above the opening. You can also fix googly eyes or construction paper eyes on top of pipe cleaners around the opening. You can recycle egg cartons to make eyes, as well. Use card stock to create sharp teeth, which you can place on the opening. Yarn can be used to create hair, which can help customize the box!

Unicorns

Wrap white paper over a box. Then, you can make ears, eyes, and a nose out of paper. Roll construction paper into a cone shape and affix it to the top of the box to form the unicorn’s horn! Yarn can also be used here to create a mane for the unicorn.

Last minute crafts can be stressful, but there is no reason to stress too much over your child’s Valentine’s Day box. Construction paper and boxes are really the only thing you need! Happy Valentine’s Day!

A landscape covered with snow can be a magical sight. Your kids will almost certainly want to play in this winter wonderland, so winter safety tips are important to follow. Here are 5 tips to follow to ensure that your kids stay safe while playing outside in the cold.

1. Warm Clothes

Make sure that your children wear multiple layers. Hats are especially important because a lot of heat loss is released through the head. Ensure that children’s hands, heads, and necks are covered. Waterproof shoes are important to prevent frostbite. Very young children or babies should have an extra layer of clothing. They have a lower cold tolerance and they won’t be able to tell you when they begin to get cold. Check on them frequently to make sure they are warm enough.

2. Street Safety

Keep children away from streets as much as possible. Icy roads can limit visibility, as well as make it more difficult to stop quickly. Stress caution around streets to your children, so they know to be extra careful when crossing a road or walking on a sidewalk. Make sure that your children wear bright-colored, visible clothing when they are outside in the winter.

3. Prevent Spreading Sickness

Contrary to popular belief, the cold doesn’t actually cause illness. However, the increased exposure from staying inside increases the prevalence of spreading viruses. Make sure that your kids wash their hands with soap and water frequently. Teach your children to cover their mouths when coughing and sneezing and keep their immunizations up to date.

4. Use Helmets

Always make sure your children wear approved helmets whenever they are skiing, sledding, or snowboarding.

5. Proper Hydration

Your children aren’t as likely to want to drink water when it’s cold outside. Dry winter air can still cause dehydration, so it is important to make sure that your children are still drinking the water they need. Ensure that your children wear sunscreen when they go outside. Even though it’s cold, snow can be a reflective surface, which can cause extreme sunburns.

The winter fun doesn’t have to end! Check on your kids frequently when they are playing outside and follow the proper safety precautions and your kids will have a happy, safe winter.