by Judy Mullican

As Valentine’s Day approaches, children are likely to be interested in adding hearts to valentines and other artwork. If you take a few minutes to teach them how to cut out a heart without a pattern, they will be empowered to create hearts of all sizes from any paper they like. Here’s an easy way:

1. Choose any piece of paper.
2. Fold the paper in half.
3. Starting and ending at the fold, make the first stroke of the number 2.
4. Cut along the line.
5. Unfold the paper.
6. Use the same method to make more hearts. Use construction paper, gift wrapping paper, old magazines, wallpaper, or any type of paper you like.