Valentine’s Day Play: Home Made Play Dough Love Bugs

February and I really don't see eye-to-eye. Every year I pledge to play fair. I promise to try hard to enjoy the month. And this year was the same. But what does February do on day one? Hits me with a one to punch of icy snow and winds to knock my power out.
Not cool February. Not cool.
So what is a Mama, out in the country, with three little ones to do? Well, play up Valentine's Day! Truth be told, I have always loved Valentine's Day. I know there are those who believe it is just a hype and something made up by card sellers. But not me. You will find me sitting in pink, sipping tea from my heart mug, nibbling some chocolate, and writing hate mail to February.

In my quest to engage myself and my little ones fully in the sweet holiday ahead, we have been doing oodles of Valentine crafting. Our latest creation was extra sweet, and very simple: Play Dough Love Bugs!

We started by whipping up a batch of our homemade playdough (you can find that recipe on How Wee Learn here—as a Kindergarten teacher, I have had some practice with play dough, and promise this no-cook version is incredible). We made it a pretty pink colour by adding a few drops of red food colouring.

Next, we scavenged around the house to find things to decorate our love bugs. Googly eyes, beads, pipe cleaners, ribbons—really, anything small. Finally, the little ones made their love bugs.

The rolling of the playdough was great for strengthening their little hands for future writing, and so was the placing of the eyes and antennae. They would roll some little round balls for heads, and slightly bigger balls for bodies. Then they would add in eyes, ears, antennae, legs, belly buttons, you name it.

It started off with just one love bug each, but pretty soon the love bugs were multiplying at an alarming rate! They ended up creating love bugs to represent each member of their family, and some friends too.

I must say the Mama love bug was rather adorable, though I am not sure why I was the only one with three eyes, and trying to solve that riddle is driving me a bit batty...

Regardless of the three eyes, and the fact that it is February, this sweet little craft was a lovely way to spend an afternoon with my little love bugs.