A kids' activity I've done in the past at Valentine's parties is tissue paper/contact paper hearts. Every kid gets a sheet of contact paper, sticky side up. They cut or tear colored tissue paper into shapes, strips, mashed gobs, whatever. Then another piece of contact paper goes on top to seal it all. Then they cut this giant sheet into smaller hearts. It's a poor man's suncatcher, basically. This eats up time, is accessible to all ages (even toddlers can make these -- in fact, I like theirs the best), and is extremely low-mess, craft-wise. Adults always want in on it, too because it's genuinely fun.
I adored - and still adore - all of the dePaola books!! My mom must’ve loved them because my childhood memories are filled with them. I’ve been just totally enamored with the illustrations my entire life and will be so excited to introduce my youngest to them.
dePaola is so incredibly talented! If you love his work, I highly recommend The Worlds of Tomie dePaola by Barbara Elleman. It’s a beautiful look at his story and how it influenced his artwork.
First, your menu for your party sounds delicious. Second, I didn't realize that Strega Nona was frequently challenged, nothing is safe. It's such a wonderful book. Third, we like pasta in our house because it's something where everyone will eat some version of, even if it is just plain noodles with cheese. I am currently obsessed with Rao's marinara sauce, if you are doing a jar sauce--do Rao's, it just so good.
Strega Nona was my BIL’s childhood favorite and I still haven’t read it with my guys yet—I think it’s time! Thanks for this nice review. Your party sounds like it will be a blast! We hosted one earlier in the month and the kids Valentine making station was a huge hit. I also pre-scooped ice cream in paper cups a few hours before the party and stored on a cookie sheet in our standing freezer. Then I had prepped a few bowls of toppings and had chocolate sauce and whipped it all out right at dessert time. This was an equally big it and very easy!
That is so smart to prescoop ice cream. I actually find it very disconcerting to scoop ice cream with an audience so this is quite the genius idea + to have the toppings bar!
A kids' activity I've done in the past at Valentine's parties is tissue paper/contact paper hearts. Every kid gets a sheet of contact paper, sticky side up. They cut or tear colored tissue paper into shapes, strips, mashed gobs, whatever. Then another piece of contact paper goes on top to seal it all. Then they cut this giant sheet into smaller hearts. It's a poor man's suncatcher, basically. This eats up time, is accessible to all ages (even toddlers can make these -- in fact, I like theirs the best), and is extremely low-mess, craft-wise. Adults always want in on it, too because it's genuinely fun.
Sarah, I think I know what the topic of the next book you write should be! I’m going to be running out for some contact paper tomorrow.
The next book is about celebrations and holidays! 😂
🥳🥳🥳
THIS is so much fun! I love that you wrote about it and we can share it with you this way. Awesome and thank you!
Aww thank you!
I adored - and still adore - all of the dePaola books!! My mom must’ve loved them because my childhood memories are filled with them. I’ve been just totally enamored with the illustrations my entire life and will be so excited to introduce my youngest to them.
dePaola is so incredibly talented! If you love his work, I highly recommend The Worlds of Tomie dePaola by Barbara Elleman. It’s a beautiful look at his story and how it influenced his artwork.
I put this on hold at the library and it just came in! Very excited to learn more. Thank you for the recommendation!
First, your menu for your party sounds delicious. Second, I didn't realize that Strega Nona was frequently challenged, nothing is safe. It's such a wonderful book. Third, we like pasta in our house because it's something where everyone will eat some version of, even if it is just plain noodles with cheese. I am currently obsessed with Rao's marinara sauce, if you are doing a jar sauce--do Rao's, it just so good.
Like Sarah said, anything even slightly witchy gets challenged. I LOVE Rao’s! We stockpile them whenever they’re on sale at Costco haha.
If there's a witch, there's a challenge 🧙♀️
Strega Nona was my BIL’s childhood favorite and I still haven’t read it with my guys yet—I think it’s time! Thanks for this nice review. Your party sounds like it will be a blast! We hosted one earlier in the month and the kids Valentine making station was a huge hit. I also pre-scooped ice cream in paper cups a few hours before the party and stored on a cookie sheet in our standing freezer. Then I had prepped a few bowls of toppings and had chocolate sauce and whipped it all out right at dessert time. This was an equally big it and very easy!
That is so smart to prescoop ice cream. I actually find it very disconcerting to scoop ice cream with an audience so this is quite the genius idea + to have the toppings bar!
Your Valentine’s party sounds great!!