If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
Valentine’s Day is probably the craftiest of holidays, but you may be in need of some fresh ideas outside of cutting out paper hearts. Never fear! These Valentine’s Day crafts for kids are adorable, and — most importantly — easy to do.
More from SheKnows
Today's Top Deals
For some of the crafts below, we spoke to artist Kelly Lynn Jones, owner of the San Francisco art shop Little Paper Planes (which has since closed), to get her tips for kid-friendly Valentine’s Day DIYs. (Other crafts here came to us by the secret magic of the internet.)
So check out these quick, cheap and easy ideas and then start working on some sweet projects with your littles. And bonus: When you’re done crafting, voilà — instant Valentine’s Day decor.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
KiwiCo.
Fingerprint hearts
Subscription toy company KiwiCo shared this idea, which is just messy enough for kids to get really into it, and personal enough that it will make an excellent gift for grandparents. All you need is a washable ink pad, scissors, glue, and two sheets of paper — card stock if you want to make this feel like a lasting treasure.
Read the full instructions on KiwiCo, (and while you’re at it, check out all their subscription options for everyday arts and STEM activities). And if you need to stock up on supplies, here are some links to help out.
Valentine’s Card Stock
Elmer’s Glue Stick 3-pack
Fiskar Scissors
Ink Pads for Kids
Image: Reality Daydream.
Beginner string art
Blog Reality Daydream has a simple tutorial for this elegant heart-shaped project. “This piece is really sweet and good for older children, so they can learn hammering nails,” Jones told SheKnows. Just make sure to supervise them.
Start with a piece of wood — 4 inches-by-4 inches is perfect. Then draw a heart on paper, place it over the wood and hammer nails in to form the outline. (A mini hammer is perfect for this if you have one.) Then remove the paper, and kids can start wrapping any color of string they like around the nails, creating a heart. Perfect.
Embroidery Floss
Image: Krokotak.
Heart-hand tree
Use an outline of your child’s hand to make a tree using this tutorial from the craft blog Krokotak. “I love this so much… for the younger kiddos,” says Jones. “Using their hands is always a great way to create a project, and this is a clever craft. Who doesn’t love a heart tree?” Once they have the cardboard tree trunk shape, kids can fill out the tree with construction paper hearts and leaves and even “carve” (write) a message on the trunk.
Prang Construction Paper
Image: Crafty Morning.
Construction paper critters
This Valentine’s-themed critter craft “is also a great moment [for kids] to learn about a variety of animals,” Jones explains. Let kids choose their own creatures; check out instructions from blog Crafty Morning for specific shapes and parts to cut from construction paper. Glue them together, add some googly eyes and voila: adorable valentine.
1000 Googly Eyes
Image: The Resourceful Mama.
Upcycled bee
Speaking of adorable valentine critters, this fun little bee craft from The Resourceful Mama is not only cute; it’s eco-friendly too. Kiddos can turn a used toilet paper tube into this creative creature. “Perfect for all ages,” says Jones.
Gather some paint, construction paper, pipe cleaners and a toilet paper roll. Paint the roll yellow, and while you’re waiting for it to dry, cut out various bee parts from the paper. Then glue or tape it all together to craft your colorful bee. Don’t forget to write, “Bee mine” — that’s the whole point, right?
Black Pipe Cleaners
Image: The Resourceful Mama for Crafty Morning.
Valentine carryall
This inventive Valentine’s craft is presented by The Resourceful Mama for Crafty Morning. Jones likes this project because there are so many ways to personalize it. “This heart purse… can be made in so many ways,” she says. “The child can paint the paper, add glitter, put their name on it, add more hearts in a variety of colors, braid the yarn — to name a few.”
Start with paper plates (cut the tops off straight across) and have your child punch holes along the plates’ edges. Then have them thread yarn through the holes. Create a strap with a piece of yarn (Jones suggests braided sections). Then start decorating. Use stickers, cutouts or anything else your little one desires. In the end, kids will have the perfect place to stash their classroom valentines.
Bernat Red Cotton Yarn
A version of this article was originally published in January 2018.
More Top Deals from SheKnows
Best of SheKnows
Johnny Galecki & All the Celebrities Who Welcomed Babies in 2024
Parker McCollum & All the Other Celebrity Pregnancy Announcements of 2024
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
About Me
I am an expert and enthusiast based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide insights and assistance on various topics. My expertise is backed by a deep understanding of numerous subjects, and I can provide accurate and reliable information on a wide range of topics. I have access to a vast array of search results and can provide detailed and well-researched responses to your queries.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in this article.
Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for kids to engage in fun and creative activities. This article discusses various craft ideas for kids to celebrate Valentine's Day. Let's explore the concepts used in the article and provide relevant information.
-
Fingerprint Hearts
- This craft involves using washable ink pads, scissors, glue, and paper to create personalized fingerprint hearts. It's a messy yet personal activity that can make an excellent gift for grandparents.
- Source: KiwiCo shared this idea, and the full instructions can be found on their website.
-
Beginner String Art
- This craft project involves creating an elegant heart-shaped string art using wood, nails, and embroidery floss. It's a great project for older children to learn hammering nails and create a beautiful piece of art.
- Source: The tutorial for this project is available on the blog Reality Daydream.
-
Heart-Hand Tree
- This craft involves using the outline of a child's hand to create a tree, filling it with construction paper hearts and leaves, and adding a message on the trunk. It's a clever and creative craft suitable for younger kids.
- Source: The tutorial for this craft is available on the craft blog Krokotak.
-
Construction Paper Critters
- Kids can create Valentine’s-themed critters using construction paper, googly eyes, and glue. This craft not only allows kids to be creative but also helps them learn about different animals.
- Source: Instructions for this craft can be found on the blog Crafty Morning.
-
Upcycled Bee
- This eco-friendly craft involves turning a used toilet paper tube into a colorful bee using paint, construction paper, and pipe cleaners. It's a fun and creative activity suitable for all ages.
- Source: The tutorial for this craft is available on The Resourceful Mama.
-
Valentine Carryall
- Kids can create a heart purse using paper plates, yarn, and various decorations. This project allows for personalization and creativity, making it a perfect place for kids to store their Valentine's Day cards.
- Source: The tutorial for this craft is presented by The Resourceful Mama for Crafty Morning.
These craft ideas provide a wonderful opportunity for kids to engage in creative and enjoyable activities while celebrating Valentine's Day.
I hope this information helps, and if you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!
