Sweet and Easy Gift: Fingerprinted Love Tokens

Valentine’s Day is on its way, and in our house it’s all about showing each other love in sweet, heartfelt ways. These simple little fingerprinted love tokens are perfect for making with kids so they have something to gift their loved ones with, but they’re also perfect for making for kids so they can carry a little piece of your love around with them day in and day out.

Here’s what you’ll need to make fingerprinted love tokens either with or for your children:

• modelling clay*
• a rolling pin
• a small heart-shaped cookie cutter
• a thin permanent marker

*Your modelling clay can be store-bought or homemade, but purchased polymer clays like FIMO and Sculpey will create tokens that are more durable if dropped. Homemade clays — like basic salt doughs or baking soda clays — will also do the job well, you’ll just have to be more careful with the tokens when done as they tend to crack or break when dropped.

Alright, now let’s get started on our little love tokens, shall we? First off, roll your clay out so that it’s somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 centimetre-thick.

Next, use your cookie cutter to punch out a small heart shape.

You'll Also Love: Colourful Tie-Dyed Heart Suncatchers

Using the shape of the cutout to guide you, create a fingerprint heart by firmly pressing your finger into the clay at an angle on one side of the heart and then repeat the process at the opposite angle on the other side so that the prints meet in a V-shape at the bottom. If you wish to turn your love token into a pendant, keychain, or zipper-pull when done, you’ll want to use a skewer or toothpick to create a small hole at this point.

When you’re ready, dry out your heart by following the instructions provided with your clay.

When they're fully dry, flip the tokens over and use a thin permanent marker to write little messages and sign your name. If you’re turning the tokens into necklaces, keychains, or zipper pulls, go ahead and add the required hardware at this point.

You'll Also Love: Valentine’s Day Surprise Hearts

If you’re giving the tokens as they are, place them inside little envelopes, boxes, or containers you find around the house.

And that’s it! While they’re simple and small, these little tokens of your love are sure to be treasured and are perfect for kids to keep nearby at bedtime, when at school, or while you’re away on a trip. And I think it’s safe to say that parents, grandparents and others receiving these special little mementos from the children in their lives will love and cherish them just as much too!

Happy Valentine's Day!