Be Mine, Valentine...

Every year we host a kids'  *Valentine' Day party  *Halloween Party *New Year's Eve Celebration  We just finished up our Annual Valentine's Day party.   The munchkins are at the age that they LOOOOOVVVEEE art.   Last year, we booked our party at a local art gallery,  and had guided instruction canvases for all the kiddos. (It was FANTASTIC, and the kids had a great time...  but I hate paying so much when I don't have to..)    This year, the frugal mama in me thought, "I can do this at home!"  (First of all, this thought has gotten me in trouble on more than one occasion.   Secondly: Thank you, Pinterest.  I don't know how I ever survived without you.)    Our guest list was quite varied in age groups:   We had toddler- 8 year old participants.   I tried to make sample art pieces so that everyone could participate,  from minions to mommies.   We started the party off with everyone getting  their picture taken at the photo booth:
(They all looked super sweet!)

Photo Credit: FishtalesandPigtales

Pinterest Idea:Decorating by Day

Then we began our art projects:

Toddler & Little Kid Projects

Photo Credit: FishtalesandPigtales

The Black Heart shown is based on a project 

we had done previously at an art gallery, 

but I found a link with similar directions HERE.

(Though THIS looks like a much safer route!  

We had some crazy shakers, 

and paint covered marbles went flying everywhere!)

The Love Tree was inspired by this Pin.

Big Kid/ Adult Projects

Photo Credit: FishtalesandPigtales

Ideas: Here and Here

Photo Credit: FishtalesandPigtales

Idea: Here and Flower Instructions: Here

Here are some of my Valentines hard at work:

Photo Credit: FishtalesandPigtales

We finished the night off by playing Bingo to get their personalized goody bags.

Photo Credit: FishtalesandPigtales

This is the game that we played 

(with conversation hearts as markers),

 but there are tons of free printable 

Valentine's Bingo sheets to choose from!

(I might recommend a board with fewer squares for the younger set.  

It look a little longer to get BINGO's than I thought it would.)

******

We always ask that party goers bring a donation 

(just something small, and ONLY if they can)

 to be donated to The Cheer Guild at Riley Children's Hospital.  

This is an INCREDIBLE organization,

 very close to our hearts. 

We started the box, 

but our AMAZING 

friends and family helped fill it!

Photo Credit: FishtalesandPigtales

We have decided to try and fill a box for the 

Cheer Guild every month this year!  

There are going to be some very excited kiddos!

We definitely had an 

AWESOME Valentine's Day, 

and hope you did, too!