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Patterns, ordering, shapes, sorting, and counting are all used in this simple Valentine’s Day craft and math lesson, made with playing cards. That’s not even all the wonderful skills used! Lacing the cards on uses fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. What I love is that I can make a Valentine’s day craft that is educational, low mess (no glitter, glue or paint), and cost me less than $3!
Valentine’s Day Craft and Math Lesson
- Gather your materials. You will need a deck of playing cards with a red design on the back, a heart paper punch, hole punch, some ribbon or yarn , scissors, and also some clear tape.
- Start by sorting the cards into suits.
This is a long craft so I only put two suits on our place mat. 
- Next, place the cards in numerical order.
- Next, hand your child the heart punch and have them punch hearts in cards of other suits. We used the clovers that we sorted in the 2nd step.
- While they do that, punch holes in the cards that they put in numerical order.
- Punch holes in the hearts.
- Next, start threading. Of course, this is not easy. Be prepared to help, or if your child’s like mine, be prepared to be told you aren’t allowed to help. In that case, wait until they ask for it. To make lacing easier, be sure to wrap tape around the ends of the ribbon/yarn.
My 4-year-old laced 3 cards and 4 hearts alone, then handed me the right numbers as I did the lacing. A nice thing about using playing cards is that they are sturdy and hard to tear. 
- Finally, hang it up and enjoy your Valentine’s Day craft and math lesson on display!
Valerie says
that is a terrific re-use for a deck of cards. very cute, I LOVE it!
melissa says
ummm….i totally LOVE this! i will be doing this with my (since yesterday) FOUR year old! i told you i was totally stalking your blog. i’m in LOVE…..you have the most wonderful ideas. totally up my alley!
and since i know you IRL and know that you are a doll it makes me all the more happy about this discovery!!!
xo
Michelle Willow says
Awesome! :))) Love the idea and off to hunt a deck of cards!
Jenae @ I Can Teach My Child says
So, so cute! Not only is it a great “lesson”…it looks great on the mantle! 🙂
Jessie says
Okay, this is pretty and wonderful for all skills! I’m doing this next week in my classroom, that is, if we ever get back there with all this snow…
Beth Christie says
Awesome! Love this craft.
Angell says
Now who would of thought of that??!! That’s awesome and so creative!!!
Kristen @ Adventures in Mommyhood says
Love this! I’m going to head out for a deck of cards today.
Emily says
What a great idea! I will be doing this one with my 5 yr.old.
Helen says
I just ran over to my game cupboard, got a deck of cards and made this with my son. He LOVED it. So did I. Thanks!
Heather says
A post has to be spectacular to get me to click to the blog through my reader…& this is SPECTACULAR! Thank you for sharing! My girls are going to love this! I bought a happy Valentines Day banner @ Target the other day but it is SO LONG that I don’t have a place for it. I am for sure going to be making this!
Marla says
I love this! What a great idea!! I think I am going to run out and buy a deck of cards tomorrow!
Susie says
I love it! I have some plastic yarn needles that work great for crafts like this.
We just used part of a deck of cards to make Valentine pals, so we used the rest to make your banner. Thanks a lot!
Linked to you here: http://www.mommysavers.com/2011/02/kids-valentines-day-crafts-deck-of-cards-and-hug-me-valentines/
and here: http://mommysavers.com/boards/your-creative-side/143446-valentines-day-crafts-homemade-gifts-7.html#post1292471
Kirsten says
I am so excited to have found your blog! You have wonderful ideas. Thank you so much for sharing them!
Fatima says
I love what you share here on your blog. Just thought I’d pop over and invite you to share at my silly little blog today if you get a moment. I’m hosting a Saturday School Show and Tell. Hope you’ll be able to link one of your great posts for my readers.
Danielle says
Adorable! Can’t wait to try this!
Pancakes For Recess says
Of course! Hearts are playing cards!! Great idea.
Mama Meg says
Had to tell you I loved this activity, and so did my 3 year old. We did this on Saturday and it was a big hit. While his older borther was out, my younger son had a chance to show what he can do on his own- wow was I suprised when I turned around and saw him threading the last card without ever once asking me for help. Usually he has trouble focusing for awhile on a task, but this kept him engaged for quite awhile! Thanks, as always, for such a wodnerul idea.
Charity says
Where did you find a heart hole puncher? That would be great for valentines! We are going to make this garland today! Thanks so much.