Buckle Up Buddy Heart

Sweetheart Craft for Valentine’s Day

Check out our cute Buckle Up Buddy Heart and bring some safety fun into Valentine’s Day. It’s time to get crafty with the kiddos (or for those of us who are just a kid at heart). Don’t be afraid of pink and red, hearts, and even glitter. This is a unique Valentine’s holiday craft with a simple traffic safety message.

Buckle Up Buddy Heart Artwork
Make your own Buckle Up Buddy Heart Valentine!

You and your family or school class can make these easy Buckle Up Buddy Hearts. The arms and legs bounce and jiggle… make us smile and want to giggle while remembering the importance of buckling up!

This is a cute DIY craft for any time of year. Kids can make a Buckle Up Buddy Heart for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or as a birthday card. In addition to being a fun art project, it also sends a positive traffic safety message. Occupant protection is always a primary concern. All drivers and passengers should be properly restrained with a lap and shoulder seat belt, and children should be correctly strapped into the right car seat that fits their size.

Download this free printable Buckle Up Buddy Heart Valentine craft sheet and follow the instructions. 

Buckle Up Buddy Heart – Valentine Craft
Template by Northeast Florida DOT District Two

Community Traffic Safety Team

SUPPLIES:

  • white card stock (or heavy paper)
  • crayons or markers
  • glitter or glitter glue (optional)
  • scissors
  • glue or glue stick
Buckle Up Buddy Heart Activity Card

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Download and print the free template provided above.
  2. Color and decorate the hearts.
  3. Cut out all the pieces.
  4. Fold arms and leg strips like an accordion.
  5. Glue the arms and legs onto the big heart.
  6. Finally, glue the small hearts on to create hands and feet.

You can write a personalized message on the back of your Valentine card. We like, “Be Mine. Be Safe. Be Buckled Up.” Don’t forget to give your special Buckle Up Buddy Heart to someone you love. Or leave it in the car as a reminder to all those you love to wear their seat belt for every car ride.

http://trafficsafetyteam.org/traffic-safety/buckle-up/

Mocktails • Recipes • Safety Tips

Seasonal Mocktails, Recipes and Traffic Safety Tips

These delicious nonalcoholic drink mocktails, recipes, and safety tips are part of the Celebrate Safely, Designate a Driver and Recipes for the Road campaigns. The FDOT District Two Community Traffic Safety Program has produced unique mocktails and shared nonalcoholic drinks from local Northeast Florida restaurants and bars since 1997. In 2017, we launched our first recipe videos for the 20th Annual Recipes for the Road edition and celebrated our 25th edition in 2022.

We hope you watch, share, and enjoy our alcohol-free drink recipes, appetizer and meal recipes, and safe ABCs of partying tips below. EVEN ONE DRINK of alcohol can slow your reflexes and reaction time, reduce your ability to see clearly, and makes you less alert. Be a part of a safety culture focused on preventing injuries and fatalities on our roads.

Favorite Florida Recipes and Refreshments

Pineapple Mock-Margarita
Strawberry Basil Infused Water
Sparkling Cherry Love Potion

Nonalcoholic beverages are becoming ever more popular. Trendy virgin cocktails are great for office parties, family gatherings, and social events. There are health benefits to reducing or eliminating alcohol in your diet. Mocktails offer a tasty alternative for designated drivers. Awareness months like Sober October and Dry January promote this healthier lifestyle.

All American Alcohol-Free Drinks Perfect for Spring and Summer Holidays, Events, and BBQs

Honey Tea Watermelon Smoothie
Strawberry-Lemonade Slushy
Patriotic Red, White, and Blue
Fresh Soft Seltzers
Non-Alcoholic Summer Sangria

Nonalcoholic Holiday Recipes for all Special Occasions

Check out our alcohol-free cocktails and food recipes for all the festive holidays and events. We’ve got something for everyone. Sweet Valentine’s Day, spicy Super Bowl Sunday, festive Cinco de Mayo, All-American observation days like Memorial Day, Independence Day (AKA 4th of July), and Labor Day. Don’t forget about spooky Halloween, family Thanksgiving or Friends-Giving days, holiday office or neighborhood parties, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.

Shamrock Mocktini Jell-O Shot
Lucky Lime Punch
Mango Smoothie
Grasshopper Mocha Mocktail
Peach Bella Bellini
Cran-Raspberry Holiday Punch

Candy Cane Mocktini
Nojito Mojito
Sparkling Strawberry Mandarin Mocktail
Hot Citrus Cider
Dreamy Hot Cocoa Recipe and The Marshmallow Snowman
Green Grinch Punch Recipe and Grinch Kabob Instructions

Party Favorite Food Recipes

Sweet & Salty White Chocolate Snack Mix
Festive Holiday Cranberry Brie Appetizer Bites
Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Soup
Cheesy Breadstick Twists
Meatball Slider Pull-Apart Appetizer

The A.B.C. Recipe for Hosting a Safe Party

A – Alcohol Awareness

  • Always serve food with alcoholic beverages.
  • Food slows down the absorption rate of alcohol into the body.
  • Offer non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Make guests feel welcome, no matter what they choose to drink.

B – Buffet

  • Serve protein-rich and starchy foods throughout the evening.
  • By eating first, partygoers may drink less, and the food will help slow the absorption of alcohol into their bloodstream.
  • As the hour becomes late, put away the alcoholic beverages, but continue to offer a good supply of food.
  • Remember, only time will eliminate alcohol from the body.

C – Carpool or Cab

  • Encourage family and friends to ride together and have a pre-selected designated driver.
  • Provide alternatives for guests who may have had too much to drink.
  • Have someone who has not been drinking drive them home.
  • Call a cab or ride-share for guests to have a safe ride home.
  • Let the person sleep overnight rather than getting in their car while intoxicated.

Fall Favorites in Florida are Cool and Refreshing for a Thanksgiving Feast

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
Festive Sparkling Punch
Apple Cider Float

Nonalcoholic Halloween-Inspired Drink Recipes

Spooky Fruity Mocktail
Witches Brew and Bat Straw
Wormy Halloween Party Punch

Recipe Cards and Traffic Safety Tips

Click on the images below to view free downloads to print and share on social media with family and friends! Check out more “Summer Celebrate Safely” recipe cards.

Super Bowl Mocktail Drink RecipeTraffic Safety Holiday Cookie RecipeTraffic Safety Candy Cane Desert RecipeHoliday Mocktail Recipes Celebrate SafelyTraffic Safety Jaguar Football Mocktail Drink Recipe
Thanksgiving Cookie RecipeHalloween Smoothie RecipeLabor Day Lemon Freeze RecipeLabor Day Celebrate SafelyLabor Day Traffic Safety

Always Celebrate Safely

Please be responsible! Designate a sober driver or call a cab/rideshare service if you’ve been drinking. If you are hosting a party, offer alcohol-free beverages to guests using these recipe cards and videos!

We produce a Recipes for the Road book each year, available to our communities and online through social media. The alcohol-free recipes are a big hit on Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Many thanks to our CTST Team members, volunteers, and partners who share our passion for reducing alcohol-related traffic crashes and fatalities in our communities!

To view all editions of Recipes for the Road, click here. Visit our Impaired Driving safety page and our Celebrate Safely, Designate a Driver campaign for more information and resources.Save

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