Fill Your Shoeboxes with Loads of Love... Crafting Ideas for OCC

I love to include something homemade in my shoeboxes!! And with Valentine's Day around the corner I thought love themed crafts especially appropriate. I pray as I create the items... and I hope that the child receiving can feel the love with which the items are made. That said I am NOT crafty... so simple is important to me. There are SO many options... check the pinterest links in the right sidebar for MORE ideas... but here are a few to get you started!

 

This idea is one I have been doing a lot lately... take old broken crayons and make them into chunky multi-colored crayons for 2-4 year olds. Don't have broken crayons? Ask a local Sunday School, Kindergarten, or preschool for their cast offs and make a blessing for a child! (Because they can almost look like candy, you might want to include a colored piece of paper to let them know what it is for... and don't forget to put these into ziploc bags. :)

How about friendship necklaces??? These are made with homemade shrink plastic. Super fun to make... and special too. Give both halves... or keep half and send a picture of you wearing it... and send the other half in the shoebox. Then pray for the child whenever you wear it. 

Instructions at http://jewelrymakingjournal.com/best-friend-jewelry-shrinkies-tutorial/

How about traditional friendship bracelets?? There are TONS of methods and types... I adore these heart ones!! And it has step by step photo instructions too.

http://honestlywtf.com/diy/diy-heart-friendship-bracelet/

 

Packing a shoebox with kids? How about this idea, tracing their hands for the pattern? 

 

http://tiffkeetch.blogspot.com/2010/06/this-much-card-and-kid-canvas.html

 

Heart shaped beaded wands or pencil topper?? Cute! 

 

http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2014/01/bead-heart-wands-valentines-day-craft.html

 

Nothing says love like glittery hearts.. right??? Ooooooo so sparkly.

 

 

 http://thealisonshow.com/2014/01/diy-disco-heart-necklace.html

The internet is FULL of ideas... and perhaps you have your own ideas. How fun to include something to show a child how much YOU love them... and how much they are loved by God.