20 Cute Valentine's Crafts for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Big Kids
Before your kids arrived on the scene, Elmer’s glue and construction paper probably didn’t factor into your big Valentine’s Day plans. But, now that you’re a parent, what better way to celebrate the occasion with your littlest love bugs than with some fun Valentine’s Day crafts for toddlers, preschoolers and older kids? An added bonus: According to Amy Jackson, PhD, chief early learning strategy officer at Primrose Schools, while kids don’t usually have the the motor skills to do things like use scissors, string beads and paint more precisely until age 3, creating Valentine’s Day crafts for toddlers can be a fun and effective way to help the development of these skills along.
Maybe you’re looking to surprise your partner or parents with some heartfelt toddler art. Or perhaps your school-aged kids want to make special DIY valentines for their classmates. To start your family off with some festive inspiration, we’ve rounded up some adorable Valentine’s Day crafts for toddlers, preschoolers and big kids. From bloggers’ favorite activities to affordable, easy Valentine’s Day craft kits, we’ve got you covered.
Searching for Valentine crafts that kids ages 1 through 3 can handle? With a little help and supervision, your tot can tackle these simple (and charming) Valentine’s crafts for toddlers.
Salt Dough Footprint Keepsake
Press baby’s foot into salt dough to create this heartwarming footprint keepsake, brought to you by Red Ted Art. It’s easy, long-lasting and utterly sweet, making it one of our favorite Valentine’s Day crafts for toddlers.
DIY Heart Stamp Art
If you’re a crafty parent at heart, it’s never too early to get your kids involved in your artsy endeavors. That said, it can be challenging to find a craft your toddler can pull off solo. Never fear: This super-cute toddler Valentine’s Day craft from Fantastic Fun and Learning keeps things simple for even the littlest ones. It brilliantly uses clothespins to transform foam heart stickers into stampers, and with their easy-to-grasp handle, they’re perfect for tiny hands.
Handprint Frame
Salt dough may be the ideal medium for Valentine crafts. Easy to mix and safe for kids, it lets you and your toddler make adorable, enduring keepsakes, like these handprint frames from Messy Little Monster. We love that they serve up a double dose of nostalgia, preserving both your child’s little handprint and a picture of them at the age the print was captured.
“Handprints are always a great gift—and they’re easy to send.” - mgrulke, The Bump forums community member
Q-Tip Painted Hearts
It doesn’t get simpler than this toddler Valentine craft from Projects With Kids. All you’ll need is some heart-shaped paper, paints of your choice and a Q-tip. Have your tot dip it into some paint and then let their imagination run wild. Not only will they have a blast painting the heart, but they’ll also hone their fine motor skills by practicing their hold on the Q-tip.
Salt Dough Hearts
This craft from Dear Creatives involves making, baking and painting stamped hearts made out of salt dough. You’ll need to be a bit more hands-on with this one, but the result is hearts you could give to loved ones, classmates or turn into ornaments and keepsakes.
Children ages 3 and 4 have a little more practice in the crafting department—hello, preschool art projects. That means they’re ready to try these educational (but still fairly easy) preschool Valentine crafts.
Framed Button Heart
This is one of our favorite Valentine’s Day art activities for preschoolers, simply because it’s cute as a button (pun intended). Your kids will love making this super-easy Valentine craft by Carrie Elle, and you’ll love showing it off for years to come. (Just ensure you watch younger preschoolers to ensure they don’t put the buttons in their mouth, as they could pose a choking hazard.)
Heart-Shaped Bird Feeder
This heart-shaped bird feeder from Simple Joy is one of those Valentine’s crafts for preschoolers that’s a total win-win—it’s a super-fun activity that also teaches little ones about caring for animals. And when you’re in preschool, making anything with birdseed is automatically awesome.
Contact Paper Hearts
There are lots of different directions your kiddo can take for this preschool Valentine’s craft from Mum’s Creative Cupboard. They can fill their hearts with glitter, yarn designs, crumpled tissue paper, ribbons or something else. When they’re done, use their masterpieces as sun catchers or proudly hang them up to display.
“I think what kids like is crumpling up tissue paper—there’s lots you can do with that like heart trees and such.” - smiling76, The Bump forums community member
Candy Heart XO
This Valentine’s Day craft for preschoolers from Carrie Elle: A Lifestyle Blog is as easy as taking candy from a preschooler—or in this case, letting them create something special with it! (Again, just be sure to supervise younger kiddos, as the candy could pose a choking risk.)
Take things to the next level with these Valentine’s Day crafts for kindergartners and up. They may require a bit more skill, but the sweet finished products are totally worth the effort.
Recycled Seed Paper Heart Valentines
An activity that teaches kids to reduce, reuse and recycle while spreading some Valentine’s Day love? Yes, please! These ingenious seed paper hearts from JaMonkey make for a gift that keeps on giving: Recipients can plant them in a pot or in the ground and flowers will grow in their place. And don’t miss the opportunity to squeeze in a quick recycling lesson as you mix the paper into pulp! Attach these cuties to a Valentine’s Day card or just hand them out.
Secret Message Valentine
Here’s your mission, if you choose to accept it: Make these super-awesome secret message Valentines with your school-aged kids, then have them hand the cards out to classmates. Their friends will have a blast decoding the hidden message. Discover the key to creating these top-secret Valentine’s Day crafts for kids at Small + Friendly.
Last year we made foam fortune cookies. The girls and I wrote little notes for all their friends inside…they’re actually pretty easy to do and everyone loved them!” - lizlemon77, The Bump forums community member
Heart Friendship Bracelets
We’re all about Valentine’s Day crafts that don’t make you want to chuck them in the trash when your child isn’t looking. And this heart friendship bracelet from Moms & Crafters definitely passes the test. Kids can flex their creative muscles as they design unique bracelets using Sharpies and wooden beads.
DIY Felt Heart Mobile
You’ll need to lend your child a hand for this adorable DIY Valentine’s Day craft from Red Ted Art, but trust us—your whole family will enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come. And it’s never too early to teach your kids how to make a basic stitch!
Some Valentine’s Day crafts are more DIY than others. If you prefer a lighter lift, you’re in luck. We’ve found a few cute kits that make getting started a total breeze.
JOYIN Magic Color Scratch Hearts
Want to skip the supply shopping spree? This creative kit comes with everything little ones need to turn black paper hearts into colorful works of art. Simply draw on the blank canvases with the provided scratching tools to unveil the rainbow underneath. Kids will be amazed to see their scribbles “magically” come to life. Once they’re done, you can hang the finished products using the included red ribbon.
Buy it: $16, Amazon.com
Fun Express Cookie Foam Magnets
Baking real cookies is messy—but making magnet Valentine’s Day “cookies” isn’t. Let your preschooler decorate these dessert-inspired hearts with the kit’s self-adhesive pieces. Once they’re done, they can display their masterpiece on the fridge.
Buy it: $21, Amazon.com
Fun Express Conversation Heart Picture Frame
Put your favorite Valentine’s Day family photo in this charming picture frame, which your preschooler can decorate using the accompanying conversation heart adhesives.
Buy it: $10, OrientalTrading.com
Baker Ross Love Heart Trees
Turn your kid’s Valentine’s Day crafts into sweet centerpieces. This kit includes supplies to make heart “trees.” We love the idea as a Valentine’s Day party activity.
Buy it: $12, BakerRoss.com
Melissa & Doug Decorate-Your-Own Wooden Heart Box
Let your big kid show off their stuff with this cute set. The kit contains paint, stickers and more to decorate the wooden box with. Once they’re finished, use the keepsake to hold other gifts (like jewelry) they’ve made you. Or, let them keep it to store their knick knacks in.
Buy it: $13, MelissaandDoug.com
It can be a very important opportunity for children to learn to appreciate and ‘love’ one another as part of a classroom community or family. Emphasize caring and giving with your child this holiday and spread the love! - Amy Jackson, chief early learning strategy officer at Primrose Schools
Fancy Land Owl Ornaments
Looking for quick Valentine’s Day crafts? Kids can put these punny owls together in just a few simple steps—score!
Buy it: $9, Amazon.com
Kangaroo Flying Paper Airplanes
These aren’t your average Valentine’s Day cards. The DIY set comes with make-your-own paper airplanes that double as holiday notes.
Buy it: $15, Amazon.com
Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.
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Amy Jackson, PhD, is the chief early learning strategy officer at Primrose Schools. She holds a doctorate in instructional leadership from Georgetown University, a master’s in curriculum from the University of Georgia, an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business and a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Nova Southeastern University.
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