Play: Seed Starter Valentines

I know this is a little late in coming for this year, but in the worst case scenario, you can just pin it for next year! 😉

So here goes.

These are the valentines that Sebastian will be handing out this year. They are seed starter valentines! I thought it could be a cute valentine and a cool activity for later in the spring. I’m thinking Sebastian, and those around his age, would have fun watering a flower and watching it grow.

I got my inspiration from Positively Splendid and Made. I sort of mish mashed their two ideas into one!

So first you gotta start with some shredded paper. Sebastian really loved this part. And I loved that he could take an active role in the making of these valentines.

Silly boy with a rake

And then you put them in a bowl.

And add water.

Then, you blend it. I had to add more water to each blenderful to make sure that my motor didn’t give out. More water is better than less water. You end up straining it the end, anyhow. Add the seeds.

Then, you strain it. I didn’t want to take the time or the money to make a paper making strainer thing, so I just used the little handheld one that we had, and it worked out great. The amount it strained was the perfect amount to push into my cookie cutter. I used a spoon to help push the water out of the paper mush.

Then you press it into the cookie cutter, trying to get as much water out as you can. The more water you push out, the less time you have to wait for it to dry. I also tried to make sure at least one seed visible from the front, so that it can be obvious that’s it’s a seed starter.

Then you let them dry.

And they can be great little valentines just like this. But I wanted to spruce them up a bit.

So I drilled a hole (3/16″ drill bit) and stuck in a lollipop stick. Add a tag, and you’ve got yourself one cute valentine.

And yes, it’s a free printable. So you don’t have to make one yourself, at the last minute, after everything else you tried look, well, dumb.

So, if you have time now, make them, and if not, save this idea for next year. Or, just make seed starters to welcome spring. Who doesn’t love fresh flowers, anyway?

Are you planning any activities for spring?