Cupid and Heart Valentine Decorations

Take traditional holiday decorations to new creative heights with these 3-D Valentine cupids and mini-plaques!

• 1.

  Find out about the history of Valentine’s Day. Identify traditions and symbols. What could you sculpt for a memorable 3-D Valentine? Here’s how to make the cupid and festive heart plaque shown. Use your imagination and your favorite colors to sculpt a unique piece for a person you love.`

• 2.

  To make a plaque, flatten white Crayola Model Magic® with your hands or a rolling pin into a base. Use a craft stick to cut a scalloped, lacy border. With the cap of a Crayola Marker, plastic dinnerware, or other modeling tool, press in a decorative edge.

• 3.

  Blend white and red Model Magic to make pink. Roll, cut, and trim a square to place on top of the lace. Model Magic fresh from the pack sticks to itself. Cut out a red heart and place it on top of the square. Roll thin pieces of Model Magic to make ribbon. Tie it in a bow and press on the hearts.

• 4.

  Shape a gift tag and ribbon to attach to your wall plaque. Write a note to your Valentine with markers. Embed a paper clip in the back for hanging. Air-dry your plaque for 24 hours before gift wrapping.

• 5.

  Cupid was the son of Venus, the Goddess of Love. To make a cupid, you could use bisque Model Magic Naturals for the body, white for the wings, and terra cotta for the hair, bow, and arrow. Or mix your own hues by blending washable marker color into Model

• 6.

  To make the head, roll a ball, flatten it slightly, and press on the body. Roll tiny pieces into balls and press on the head for curly hair. Make cheeks and eyes the same way. Add white wings, bent to look like your cupid is flying, and some clothes!

• 7.

  Roll strips of Model Magic for the bow and arrow. Bend one piece for the bow. Attach white for string. Press on a tiny triangle arrow. Air-dry your cupid for 24 hours before gift wrapping.

Benefits

• Children learn about the history of Valentine symbols.
• Children sculpt replicas using symbols of the season to create holiday decorations.

Adaptations

• Compare and contrast the cupid form over the ages in art. Many of the great Italian Renaissance painters included cupid in their art.
• Younger children and those with motor skill challenges may prefer to use cookie cutters to cut their shapes
• Read several love poems or sing love songs for inspiration. Write an original poem on the back of the wall plaque or to accompany cupid.
• Assessment: Observe children’s engagement in creating an original, detailed sculpture.