DIY Toilet Paper Roll Valentine Countdown & Activities

It is the day before February, and I should have done this post a week ago, but you still have today to get it put together, or go ahead and save it for next year.

If you're somewhat of a regular here at Blissful Roots, then you know we love counting down to the holidays at our house.  It's a great way to sneak in some math lessons, (numbers, counting, how many more, etc…) build anticipation, and do some fun activities that probably wouldn't get done otherwise.

In October, I shared my Halloween toilet paper roll countdown, and today it's the Valentine's Day version. 

Toilet paper rolls are perfect for this project for so many reasons!

*They're free.
*You always have plenty of them (if you get in the habit of saving them).

*You're recycling when you use them.

*They're the perfect size for holding a small treat and note.

*They're a blank canvas for decorating however you'd like. 

I found my white and red polka dot paper at Michaels.  Then I added some ric rac to the top and bottom of the covered toilet paper rolls.  I found the red glitter hearts at Dollar Tree, then used some blue number stickers I had for the numbers.  I painted them white and added a bit of glitter.  I used red tulle to stuff in the tops of the toilet paper rolls because I was out of tissue paper (what I usually use). I have to say I'm really liking the tulle this time around.  I've never used it before. 

Inside each toilet paper roll, I put a goodie bag (found at Dollar Tree or Michaels) with an activity on a note, and a small treat.  Pretty easy and low-key.

If you want to start this tomorrow, you can just do one toilet paper roll a day.  I do that some years when I'm not too on top of things.  Some years I have all 14 days ready to go and set out on February 1st.  Other years, I just do one toilet paper roll a day, and switch the number on the front and replace the treat and note in the goodie bag. Do whatever is easiest for you.

And in case you're needing some ideas for valentine activities, here's a list of what we do.

*Valentine tic-tac-toe

*Read a valentine book

*Pick out/make your valentines

*Heart attack someone

*Conversation heart graph

*Goldilocks valentine story (check back on February 11th for more details)

*Make valentine cookies, cupcakes, cake, treats, etc...

*Shaving cream and food coloring hearts (follow directions in post, but just use red, pink, and purple food coloring and then cut into heart shapes when done)

*I love… journals

*Love letters jar

*Love notes & mailboxes

*Symmetrical valentine art project

*Valentine movie (Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown is always a favorite)

*Valentine breakfast, lunch, or dinner (more details coming soon on that as well)

So, that's how we spend our time leading up to the big day of love.  What are some of your favorite valentine activities?  We've been doing these for several years now, and while my boys haven't complained, I'm sure they wouldn't mind mixing it up a bit.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you found a little something worth your time.

Linking up to these parties & Savvy Southern Style.