Bee My Valentine Pencil Topper and Magnet

I love Valentine’s Day for little kids–everyone gets a little token of affection and extra hugs! In a few years when the holiday is fraught with emotional angst, I’m sure I will change my tune. Until then, we really enjoy this day when my daughter gets to indulge her love of all things glittery and pink and my little boy has an excuse to kiss everyone he loves–not that he needs one!

“Bee My Valentine” was my pick for this year’s class Valentine’s but my daughter preferred the flower pencil topper Valentines (find our instructions and template over at Lifetime Moms). Both of the kids love jokes lately, especially puns!

Materials (for each)

• one yellow chenille stem (pipe cleaner)
• one black chenille stem
• one pencil
• white paper or a print-out of the bee wing template
• googly eyes
• tacky glue or glue dots
• fine-tip black marker
• magnet strip (optional)

Directions

1. Fold the black chenille stem in half and twist the tip of the yellow one around the middle of the black one.

2. Starting around 1 1/2 inches from the eraser of the pencil, wrap the black chenille stem up toward the eraser, leaving about an inch on each end. Curl down the tips of the black stem to form antennae.

3.  Twist the yellow chenille stem in a spiral around the black. Trim if necessary.

4. Glue on googly eyes and wings and the magnet (optional). I made my wings in the shape of two hearts but you could create a more realistic bee shape, if you wish. I also pre-printed the message to make it easier in case my young daughter wanted to make 20 of them. You could hand-write the message if you prefer.

Educational Connections

• Literacy: Writing notes is wonderful literacy practice. Preschoolers can write their own name. Older kids can write the names of their friends, write out personal messages, or write out the message and you can photocopy it.
• Literacy: Humor writing is very challenging. Sharing puns is a fun way to play with language. Read or even try to come up with your own Valentine’s Day puns and jokes.
• Science and Nature: Find out more about bees and how they form hives and make honey. Why are bees important in our ecosystem?
• Culture: Learn about the ways bees and honey are represented in culture. Think about words and phrases like “Queen Bee”, “Drone”, “Hive Mentality”, “Honeymoon”, etc.