When I think of Valentine's Day, I am reminded of a Valentine's Day school party in fifth grade. I passed out the typical handcrafted Valentine's Day cards to classmates and even got crafty with salt-dough, shaping it into a Valentine heart that I gave to Hank, my fifth grade crush. Unfortunately for me, even though I didn't label who the heart was from, he knew, and proceeded to tell the entire class I didn't know how to cook. Explaining that it wasn't a cookie was a fruitless effort and quite embarrassing!

Creating Valentine's Day gifts, though, became a tradition of sorts and one that I have passed to my children — everyone loves a good treat, be it baked or crafted, and this week throughout Ann Arbor, there are many opportunities for your children and teens to craft their hearts out!

Michaels Crafts is always a good location for free or low-cost "Make-it Take-it" craft projects, and this week they are not failing to deliver. On Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 6-8 p.m., older teens and their parents should consider heading over to make their own decorated Valentine votive candle holder (with purchase of votive holder). Then over the weekend, families with younger children can celebrate Valentine's Day in the store with hand-decorated frames (with the purchase of a wooden frame) and watch a heart-shaped pom pom demo on Saturday from 10 a.m.-noon, or create their own free Valentine cards from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday. Both events are while supplies last and appropriate for families with children ages 3 and up.

Tree Town Toys (2611 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor) is another local retailer that often provides low-cost events for kids. This week, to celebrate Valentine's Day, kids can create heart flowers on Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for only $1! Kids will glue hearts in the shape of a flower and attach it to a decorative stem. All materials, including lots of "bling," will be provided. This is appropriate for children over 2. Kids can also create flowers in the store on Valentine's Day 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Ypsilanti Library has several events for children and teens to create sometime sweet for their sweethearts. On Saturday, Feb. 12 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Michigan branch (229 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti), older kids can create their very own chocolate assortment to enjoy or give to someone special. The library will have the molds and materials to decorate your packaged sweets! Register online or call 734-482-4110, x1390. The Whittaker branch (5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti) will also have a crafty treat for kids and teens from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, with decorated cupcakes. It’s fun, it’s sweet, and what remains is good to eat. Most of these events however require pre-registration, so please log into your Ypsilanti Library account to register!

Children’s Orchard (Colonnade Center at 887 W. Eisenhower Pky., Ann Arbor) is having a Valentine’s party on Saturday, February 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that will include free kids crafts, coloring pages and sweet treat goodie bags. As an added bonus, Dora the Explorer will also be making an appearance!

 
If you have heard of other Valentine's Day creative or craft events in the area, please send me an email at tmayrend at gmail.com or comment below with the appropriate information!

Tammy Mayrend is a Ann Arbor search marketing professional and mother of two who blogs on low-cost local activities, events, and Ann Arbor area freebies for families at annarbormom.com.