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Let kids take the lead!
Homemade valentines for your child’s classroom are always nice, but can be so much work. Cutting out 25 (or more!) hearts, taping or gluing things together; it’s enough to make you want to grab that 30-pack of Bluey valentines and call it a night.
While we are not opposed to the store-bought option, if your child wants to make valentines for their classmates, we say let them take the lead. We’ve gathered up some valentine projects that kids can handle (though you might still need to lend a hand). So get ready for some fun craft time with your child, and watch them beam with pride when they head out the door on Valentine’s Day with valentines they made. Everyone wins!
Jump to the project you just gotta try below:
- Yarn love bug
- Heart friendship necklace
- Heart-shaped stamp card
- Yarn heart card
- Valentine’s Day tic-tac-toe card
- “You’re a star” Starburst card
- Googly-eyed monster card
- Paper lunch bag tree with hearts
- Goldfish cracker card
- Heart-shaped melted crayons
- Mini bubble container card
- Homemade heart candy pouch
- Secret Valentine’s Day message in a bottle
- Valentine’s Day awards
- Special animal bracelets
- Robot valentines
- Colorful shaving cream cards
Up first: Yarn love bug
More Valentine’s Day fun:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published a number of years ago, and was updated most recently on Feb. 2, 2026, by ParentMap’s content editor, Kari Hanson. New projects were added and all other information received a thorough fact-check.
Love bug
This simple craft turns supplies you probably already have on hand, like yarn, pipe cleaners and felt, into adorable love bugs. Kids create a fluffy pompom body with yarn, then add a felt heart for feet, bend pipe cleaners for antennae and glue on eyes to give their bug personality. With just a little help from you (careful with the hot glue gun!) kids can create their love bug and then give it away, display it or play with it once it’s finished. Head to Smart School House for all the details.
Up next: Heart friendship necklace
Heart friendship necklace
You’ve heard of friendship bracelets, well how about a friendship necklace! This Valentine’s Day project uses simple supplies like foam hearts, string and beads. Kids can decorate and personalize each necklace however they want, then give them away as a candy-free Valentine’s gift. This project is low-mess and mostly kid-led, with lots of room for creativity. Seattle-mom Marie has a step-by-step tutorial at Creative Child.
Up next: Toilet paper roll heart stamps
Toilet paper roll heart stamps
I just love it when a craft project uses something I already have at home. This project transforms an empty toilet paper tube into a heart stamp, in just a few simple folds. Kids can easily bend the tube, secure it with tape, and start decorating cards all on their own. You might want to help pour the paint for dipping, unless you are feeling really adventurous! Head to Pretty Prudent for all the details.
Up next: Tug at their heartstrings
Tug at their heartstrings
If you have a craft-loving kid, these cards are perfect. Red Ted Art gives all the details you need to put together these adorable, textured Valentine’s Day cards using cardstock and yarn. While a dedicated kid could make one for each classmate, these are best reserved for close family members as they can be time-consuming. You can skip a step and purchase cards with a cutout heart window, or just use cardstock or construction paper and cut the hearts out yourselves.
Pro tip: To make this easier for younger kids, place double-sided tape on either side of the heart to keep the yarn in place as it’s laid down. You can also trade the yarn for ribbon, which can be a fun alternative.
See how it’s done in this fun video!
Up next: Game time, Valentine
Game time, Valentine
These fun and sweet valentines will have kids smiling and can be given with or without candy. The simple tic-tac-toe game can be played by preschoolers as well as older kids, making this an active option for a wide range of ages.
Amy Pelzner at Leap of Faith Crafting provides a cute printable to make this Valentine’s Day project super easy. Simply print, cut out and you’re done. If you want to include candy, feel free. Amy also gives ideas for less sugar-fueled options.
Up next: You’re a Starburst!
You’re a Starburst!
If your kid is planning on making Valentine’s Day cards for the whole class, you will appreciate this sweet and simple card idea. Autumn at It’s Always Autumn understands that people are often short on time, so she offers a nifty printable that can be used to make a big batch of cards. To add the finishing touches, your kid can stamp a colorful painted heart and glue a Starburst on the front. This is one easy valentine craft idea that parents and kids are going to love.
Up next: Monster mash
Monster mash
Need a little more monster in your life? Don’t miss out on these adorable homemade monster valentines featured on Make and Takes. Use colorful cardstock, googly eyes, foam glue dots and monster-themed patterned paper to whip up these cute DIY cards.
Up next: A hearty tree
A hearty tree
Here’s another great idea for a candy-free Valentine’s Day goody that was featured on I Heart Crafty Things. Who knew a brown paper lunch bag could look so artistic? Your kids will love twisting the branches and sticking on the hearts. It’s a simple and crafty idea that makes a big impression.
Up next: Fishy friends
Fishy friends
Featured on The Inspiration Board, these cute printable fish bowls are certain to make a splash this Valentine’s Day! They’re super easy to make and assemble. All you need is some cardstock, clear bags, twine or ribbon, and some Goldfish crackers or bright red Swedish Fish gummies.
Up next: Colorful cards
Colorful cards
We can’t get enough of these cool, colorful Valentine’s Day cards presented on The Nerd’s Wife. Simply made out of recycled crayon bits, these heart crayons are incredibly easy to make and will put those old and broken crayons to good use.
Up next: Bubble up
Bubble up
Looking for a great candy-free Valentine’s Day card alternative? Search no farther than Armelle’s idea for making valentines with bubble solution. Mama Caroline said that she found the mini bubble containers in the wedding section of the craft store, and then she simply added them to homemade printed cardstock with a cellophane cover.
Up next: Homemade heartbreakers
Homemade heartbreakers
We love this idea for making “heartbreaker” candy pouch valentines featured on Made Everyday, and like Mama Dana says, “Who said valentines were only red and pink?” Easily made with colorful paper, staples and a little bit of scissor work, these sweet homemade hearts feature bright colors that will work well for everyone. Plus, if you’ve got extra Christmas candy still stashed in the pantry, consider reusing some of it for the secret candy included inside.
Up next: Secret messages
Secret messages
Mama Kate of Mini-eco shares this fab idea for making “secret message in a bottle” Valentine’s Day cards that will be sure to please the kids. To get started, dip a Q-tip in lemon juice (aka the “invisible ink”) and write out your personalized messages on the cards. Once the card is placed over heat, the message will show up! For the bottles, Kate says that she used an old vanilla extract bottle, and the colorful mini hearts were easily made with a heart-shaped hole punch.
Up next: Lovely awards
Lovely awards
Winning an award is always, well, rewarding, so why not treat this year’s valentines to personalized award cards such as these featured on Alisa Burke? To make your own heartfelt Valentine’s Day awards, pick up some colorful streamers from the party supply store and put your little one to work ruffling and gluing. Once the awards are finished, draft personalized notes and add the awards to folded cardstock.
Up next: Wild about you!
Wild about you!
If you’ve got a little one who loves wild animals, consider making some cool critter-esque homemade valentines like these featured on Chez Beeper Bebe. Featuring tie-on animal bracelets, these neat cards are made with plastic wild animal beads and colored suede cords found at craft stores. Overall, these make a great alternative to the typical candy valentines and are sure to leave young animal-lovin’ friends smiling. Mama Holly includes the printable PDFs for the cards in the full post.
Up next: Robot raves
Robot raves
Even young kids can make Crafts by Amanda’s adorable robot valentines. These cards are great because they can be as random and silly as you like and can be given to (and loved by) kids, family members and even teachers! Check out the full post to get the rest of her great tips. (This craft involves glitter, consider yourself warned!)
Up next: Shaving cream sensation
Shaving cream sensation
If you’re looking for a good Valentine’s Day card idea for your preschooler, consider checking out these fun shaving cream cards included on Modern Parents Messy Kids. Outfitted with a stamped personalized note and a Q-tip for shaving cream creative play, these homemade activity-based cards are made with food coloring, photo frame cards, duct or electrical tape, and small resealable bags. Once the colorful bags are placed in the cards, your child’s classmates will love using the included Q-tip to make fun designs and pictures.
