Fun Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids

Arts and crafts help children communicate their emotions and experiences through colors and various media. These four Valentine’s Day crafts are fun and easy for children, and are a wonderful opportunity for them express themselves.

Handprint Valentines

Handprint valentines are a quick and cost-effective way to make keepsakes for family and friends. Your child can personalize each one with paint or crayons.

Materials

1. Construction paper

2. Scissors

3. Crayons and/or washable child-safe paint

Instructions

1. Have your child place their hand on the construction paper.

2. Trace around the hand.

3. Cut out the handprint.

4. Encourage your child to draw or paint on the handprint, either writing their name, or drawing a picture that the recipient will like.

Heart Collage

A heart collage is a creative way to use up scrap pieces of paper from other crafting projects. Your child will love expressing themselves and getting involved in the artistic process.

Materials

1. Construction paper or cardstock

2. Construction paper, magazine pages, or newspaper pages

Instructions

1. Have your child tear up the paper into fairly large pieces.

2. In the meantime, cut a large heart out of the construction paper or cardstock, and apply glue to one side.

3. Let your child place the pieces of paper over the glued section.

Cardboard Heart Stamp

A cardboard heart stamp is quick and easy, and it helps you reuse a cardboard roll of paper towel or toilet paper. These stamps can be used to further decorate other Valentine’s crafts or cards, or even just stamped creatively on a separate piece of paper – whatever your child would like to do!

Materials

1. Toilet paper or paper towel cardboard roll (If using a paper towel roll, cut it down to make it easier for your child to work with)

2. Paper plate

3. Construction paper or cardstock

4. Washable child-safe paint

Instructions

1. Flatten the roll, then press one of the creases in the other direction so a heart shape is created.

2. Pour out a small amount of paint onto the paper plate.

3. Dip one end of the roll into the paint.

4. Make the first stamp on a piece of paper so your child sees how it’s done, then encourage them to do the rest.

Heart-shaped Crayons

Broken crayons might seem to be everywhere in your home, and you can melt them all down to give them new life. Kids will love their new multicolored crayons, and you can even get your child involved by asking them to help you.

Materials

1. Broken crayons

2. Silicone heart-shaped mold or cups

Instructions

1. Ask your child to help you peel the paper off the crayons.

2. Have your child fill the mold or cups with the crayons, in whatever color configuration they like.

3. Bake in a 250-275° oven for about 10-13 minutes, until the crayons are melted (do not let your child help with this step and the next).

4. Remove the mold or cups from the oven. Let the crayons cool completely before removing them from the mold.

Artistic expression is also a great way to help your child develop key social skills. At MyPlace, our children have fun working on craft projects like this with their friends!