How to Send a Hug

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we’ve been talking a lot about love and all the different ways to show love to one another. It’s pretty wild to think that this time last year, the boys were in preschool getting to do all sorts of fun Valentine’s arts and crafts with their amazing teachers. We’ve spent the better part of a year now social distancing and limiting contact with friends and family. We miss hugs, handshakes, high-fives and so many things that we took for granted before. And we are really missing so many of our loved ones. It is something the kids are expressing more and more these days. So this week, we decided to pull out our craft supplies and “send a hug” to some very special people that we love so dearly.

This activity is a simple, fun way to get creative with your kids while spreading some joy with your loved ones. It can be done as a Valentine’s project or anytime of the year really. I’m always looking for easy and enjoyable crafts to do with my boys and this one is so great we decided to share it with you so that you can send a hug to someone you love too!

CRAFT SUPPLIES NEEDED TO MAKE A HUG

A long sheet of paper (we use Melissa & Doug Easel Paper Rolls)
Any coloring items you want to use (preferably washable!): crayons, markers, colored pencils
Stickers, stamps, or anything else you want to decorate with
Scissors
Envelope, postage, & a person in need of a hug

HOW TO MAKE A HUG

Roll out and secure a piece of paper long enough for your child’s head, outstretched arms, and torso to fit on it.
Have your child lie down with their back against the paper and trace their outline from the waist up (with fingers outstretched!).
Let your child have fun decorating their self portrait! They can include their features (think: eye color, favorite clothing or accessories, hairstyle, etc.) and be as creative as they want to be!
One the artwork has dried, the self-portrait can be cut out by parent (or age-appropriate kids).
Gently fold your hug, tuck it into an envelope, and include a little note to explain to the recipient (example below):

I’ve been missing you so much from day to day
It’s hard having you so far away
So I’m sending you a hug today

Whenever you feel your heartstrings tug
Just wrap my arms around you snug
And image me giving you a great big hug

Drop your hug in the mail to someone you love to send them an extra little spot of joy! The best part is that making these life-sized hugs are not hard to do, the kids will have fun, and in no time at all you can send a hug to anyone that needs one!