Over the past few years my kids haven't really had to make many Valentine's boxes because they have usually done them as an art project at school. But this year both of my Elementary age boys had to make one. And they were for a contest. I think the contest part was what got me going, because I knew we could come up with awesome designs.
First comes motivation. We happened to have a yellow shoe box sitting on the floor next to our Minion goggles that came with our Despicable Me movie, and wala! The goggles fit the box and the idea was born. My youngest son LOVES the movie Despicable Me, so he was all for the idea.
Evan is in second grade, and this wasn't exactly the easiest project for him, but after I drew all of the patterns on the paper he did as much punching, cutting, and gluing as he could (except for those darn overall straps which weren't very easy.) And a MINION was born!
Noah's box was inspired from the Family Fun website, and the fact that I had some chrome spray paint in the garage. His dad hooked in a piece of wire for the lock to hang on and the opening is at the top. He wanted it completely taped shut so that no one could get into it.