Who doesn't love Valentine's Day? Whether you're into decorative doilies, boatloads of Valentine's Day candy, or Valentine's Day cards filled with sweet nothings, there's something for everyone come February 14—and that's especially true for little kids. In fact, we're pretty sure they enjoy Valentine's Day more than just about anyone else.
Here, you'll find a selection of our favorite Valentine's Day crafts for kids—easy, simple Valentine's Day activities and projects to keep small hands entertained in advance of the holiday. Some double as Valentine's Day desserts (hello, cutest mini cakes ever!) and some work perfectly as Valentine's Day gifts. But there's one thing all of these projects have in common: They're a fabulous accompaniment to any Valentine's Day movie marathon and just as fun as any Valentine's Day games.
It's just a fact: A snowed-in weekend at home is all the better with finger-painted Valentine "toadstool" cards. And just wait until you see the gingerbread "heart houses" on our list—they make for the sweetest Valentine's Day decorations, and they're also just plain delicious. You'll also find Valentine's Day mason jar crafts so you don't even need to run to the store for supplies. Read on for our favorite Valentine's Day crafts, grab some glue sticks and glitter, and prepare to delight the younger set!
1
Heart Suncatchers
Kiddos can let the love and the light in with this super simple craft. You'll use clear contact paper, tissue paper, and construction paper to create the suncatcher, then add some adhesive on the back to hang it up!
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas For Kids.
2
Valentine Hugs
Just like its name suggests, this little guy is perfect for delivering some love on February 14. Though, it might be too cute to give away! Just look at those accordion arms and big googly eyes!
Get the tutorial at Crafts By Amanda.
3
Pipe Cleaner Heart Rings
Why buy Valentine's Day jewelry when you can make some? Insert: the most darling heart-shaped rings for little ones. Just grab a bag of pink or red pipe cleaners, and you’re ready to go!
Get the tutorial at One Little Project.
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4
Doily Bumble Bee
We can hardly bee-lieve how cute this craft is! A few basic craft items, including heart-shaped doilies, are all they need for this flying friend that can be used as décor or a V-Day card!
Get the tutorial at I Heart Arts N Crafts.
5
Beaded Hearts
Pink, red, and white beads come together with pipe cleaners to make these adorable hearts! Kiddos can add a string to hang them up or even wear them as bracelets.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
6
Fingerprint Mushroom Valentines
"There is so MUSHROOM in my heart for you," read these sweet DIY cards. Each of the white spots on the toadstools are stamped thumbprints.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
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7
Puff Paint Valentines Tote Bag
Is there anything more fun than puff paint? This adorable bag can be customized however your little ones see fit.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
8
Valentine Bark
Nothing says "Valentine's Day" quite like chocolate—which is why we love this idea so much. It's part craft, part recipe, and thoroughly delicious.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
9
DIY Valentine Brooms
These mini brooms are crafted from colorful raffia and a wooden dowel. They're impossibly cute—and punny, too!
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
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10
Love Bug Valentine Toys
Get creative and creepy with these fun creatures! They'll succeed in delighting all of their friends—or freaking them out, at the very least.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
11
Mini Valentine's Day Cakes with Heart Toppers
This tutorial includes a handy printable template for those heart-shaped cake toppers. Easy-peasy!
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
12
Valentine Candy Dispenser
Bet you'll never believe these mini dispensers are actually made out of baking cups and plastic ornaments. Mindblowing, right?
Get the tutorial at White House Crafts.
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13
Candy Robot Valentine
Your kids are going to want candy come February 14, so you might as well kill two birds with one stone with this adorable tutorial. Who knows? They might prefer playing with it to eating it!
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
14
DIY Compliment Cards
It's a perfect time to promote kindness! With a few sheets of card stock, some markers, and—of course!—a little bit of glitter, your kids will be able to craft their very own versions of these "compliment cards."
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
15
Celery-Printed Valentine's Day Cards
Here's an easy way to get your kids to fall in love with veggies! Yes, those sweet little hearts are really made from celery "stamps."
Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.
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16
Confetti Valentines
A hole punch makes it easy to create colorful confetti out of paper scraps. Up-cycling crafts for the win!
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
17
Valentine's Day Fingerprint Love Canvas
Get a little messy with this adorable craft! It's simple, sweet, and results in a beautiful keepsake.
Get the tutorial at The Farmwife Crafts.
18
Valentine's Day Flower Pots
How cute is this? Mini flower pots decorated with glittery foam hearts are the perfect way to present a loved one with a succulent.
Get the tutorial at Typically Simple.
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19
Gingerbread Heart Houses
Who says gingerbread's only for Christmas? Spread the love to another holiday with these cookie houses.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
20
Origami Fortune Cookies
Preteens will get a kick out of these origami Valentines, which open to reveal a sweet fortune or love note. They're way easier to make than it looks!
Get the tutorial at The Crafting Nook.
Macie Reynolds
Assistant Editor
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in Valentine's Day crafts for kids, I can confidently say that there are endless possibilities for creating fun and engaging activities for children on this special day. Valentine's Day is not just about romantic love, but also about celebrating love in all its forms, including the love between parents and their children.
When it comes to Valentine's Day crafts for kids, there are several concepts that are commonly used. Let's take a closer look at each of these concepts and how they can be incorporated into the crafts mentioned in the article.
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Hearts: Hearts are the quintessential symbol of love and Valentine's Day. They can be used in various ways, such as creating heart-shaped suncatchers, heart rings, and heart-themed cards. Kids can have fun cutting out heart shapes from construction paper or using heart-shaped doilies to create unique and personalized crafts.
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Colors: Valentine's Day is often associated with the colors red, pink, and white. These colors can be incorporated into crafts by using tissue paper, beads, and paint. For example, kids can create beaded hearts using pink, red, and white beads, or they can use pink craft paint to make celery-printed Valentine's Day cards.
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Animals and Insects: Animals and insects can add an element of cuteness to Valentine's Day crafts. Crafts like the doily bumble bee or the fingerprint mushroom valentines incorporate these elements, making them even more appealing to kids. These crafts can be used as decorations or as cards to give to loved ones.
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Food and Treats: Valentine's Day is also a time for indulging in sweets and treats. Crafts like the mini Valentine's Day cakes with heart toppers or the Valentine bark not only provide a fun activity for kids, but also result in delicious treats that can be enjoyed by the whole family. These crafts can be a great way to involve kids in the kitchen and teach them basic baking skills.
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Personalization and Creativity: Crafts like DIY compliment cards or origami fortune cookies encourage kids to express their creativity and personalize their crafts. These crafts not only provide an opportunity for kids to create something unique, but also promote kindness and positivity, which are important values to instill in children.
By incorporating these concepts into Valentine's Day crafts for kids, you can create a memorable and enjoyable experience for children on this special day. Whether it's creating heart-shaped suncatchers, making adorable animal-themed crafts, or indulging in delicious treats, there's something for every child to enjoy and express their love and creativity.
