POMPOM PET VALENTINES | DIY | KIDS CRAFT

I realize that Valentine’s Day has passed this year, but these cute little pompom pets can be a fun craft to do with the kids any time of the year. With just a few supplies like yarn and mini pompoms, you can make a number of different animals and have hours of fun.

When I started this project in February with my Kindergartner, I/”we” intended on making the adorable “Love Bugs” I’ve seen all over my Pinterest feed like this one or this one. But my daughter’s creativity took things over (as it should) and she is far more interested in creating animals than bugs. And with a class of over 20 kids, she had a chance to create a bunch of them!

SUPPLIES

Yarn (shown in Buttercream Luxe Craft Angel Hair Yarn)
Foam hearts (or cut foam or cardstock to any size/shape)
Mini pompoms (for paws)
Pipe cleaners (for tails or antenaa)
Googly eyes
Small pompom maker
Twine (optional for hanging)
Small sewing scissors
Hole punch (used to punch noses out of leftover heart felt)
Glue (I used Elmers School Glue)
Glue Dots (to adhere pets to Valentines)

TUTORIAL

MAKE POMPOM

Step 1: Using a small pompom maker wrap the yarn around each side 40 times.
Tip: If you are using the same yarn, I tried a few options and felt like they were cuter when full and not floppy. Try a few versions and see what you prefer.

Step 2: Cut the yarn along the groove in the pompom maker.

Step 3: Wrap twine around pompom maker and wrap end around twice to ensure a strong hold. Pull tight. Tie one more knot to secure.

Step 4: Remove pompom maker carefully and cut any long strands.

ASSEMBLE POMPOM PET

Step 5: Glue small pompoms (paws) on foam heart base. Use pipe cleaner to form tail and glue in place.

Step 6: Glue homemade pompom to pompom paws, tail and heart base.

Step 7: Glue ears, eyes and nose in place. Tip: I used a hole punch to make little noses out of the scraps of heart foam and black foam I already had. You could also use mini pompoms or hand cut shapes.