Homemade Table Setting for a Valentine's Dinner for Kids

Tablecloth

• Take an old white sheet or cheap white tablecloth. Use red markers to draw on Valentine's Day hearts and other symbols for the holiday. In the extra spaces, write out simple love messages to the children that they can spend time reading. For example, write "Jimmy, I love the way you laugh" or "Susie, I love your hair in pigtails." Fill the table with these types of messages, and even have the kids write little messages of their own.

Table Settings

• Use red and pink circular place mats for the base of the table setting. Glue on Valentine's beads around the place mats. Use white or red plastic dinnerware for the utensils. Use red or pink nail polish to paint a small heart symbol on the handle end of the utensils. Write out a message like "Love" or "Cupid" down the handle. Let the utensils dry for 10 minutes before using them.

Heart-Shaped Napkin

• Take square cloth napkins, and lay them flat on the table. Fold the napkin in half, and then fold it in half again. You will have a long vertical napkin at this point. Take the right side, and fold it upward to create a crease in the center. Repeat that on the other side, and the napkin will look like a baseball home plate. Tuck the inside corners in on each other. Fold the outside corner underneath the napkin, and the heart shape is complete.

Candy Centerpiece

• Excite the children for dessert with a full-bloomed candy centerpiece. Take three clear vases, and fill each one with a pattern of candies. Red and pink M&Ms, shoe string liquorice and candy hearts are all great patterns that can fill the vases. Top each vase off with a boutique of lollipops. Use lollipops with colorful wrappers for the best effect.