Hearts & Crafts: 14 of the Cutest DIY Valentines to Make for Valentine's Day (2024)

Entering the new year, we’re trying on things like enhanced organization, new affirmations, and intuitive living for size. Meanwhile, visiting any retailer means we’re deluged by Valentine’s Day candy, hearts, and flowers. Try as you might, it’s hard not to be just the tiniest bit reminded of pre-parenthood memories of your favorite chocolate hearts and romantic date nights. However, Valentine’s Day takes on new meaning once you have kids to celebrate with—which often includes creating valentines for their classmates or loved ones.

Helping your child create valentines can add one more item to your to-do list—but once you remember how they’ll light up with a special Valentine’s Day celebration, getting ready for another holiday can be less daunting. If you’re not afraid of a little craft paper, glitter, beads, and colorful charms to celebrate a Happy Heart’s Day, read on for some one-of-a-kind DIY valentines.

14 DIY Valentines for Kids

While there are plenty of cute pre-made options circulating stores’ shelves, creating DIY valentines for their class can also become a fun winter activity to do with your kiddo. If you have the time and space, and you’re just waiting for some homemade valentine inspiration to pull on the strings of your heart this Valentine’s Day… ta-da! Here are 14 of the most adorable DIY valentines to create with your little sweetheart in advance of February 14. And don’t worry, besides being adorable, they’re easy to make, too.

1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Valentines

If you have kids who are Ninja Turtle-obsessed, they’ll absolutely love creating these paper hearts—they’re perfect for handing out at school for Valentine’s Day celebrations, too!

2. You’re the Bomb—DIY Bath Bombs

Make a V-Day splash with these homemade bath bombs! They only require a few ingredients, and they’ll fill everybody’s next bathtime with extra love.

3. Valentine’s Day Friendship Bracelets

For an alternative to Valentine’s Day Cards, have your little one make friendship bracelets Taylor Swift-style for their schoolmates.

4. Cherry Slime Valentines

A fruity and uplifting Valentine’s Day shoutout that’s paired with a dose of bright slime to boot.

5. ‘Wild About You’ Animal Valentines

Grab a multi-pack of plastic safari animals and tie them to printed cardstock for a fun non-candy valentine idea.

6. Star Wars Printable DIY Valentines

Bring the Force to Valentine’s Day with some Star Wars action to chew on. Even if they’re not familiar with the big lovable furball Chewbacca, chances are they’ll still find this valentine cute and tasty with Chewy Chips Ahoy or Chewy Granola bars!

7. Baby Shark Valentines

The Baby Shark bit is still spreading plenty of giggles, and these valentines are a sweet and gummy way to invite the dance into V-Day festivities.

8. Coloring Page Valentines

These charming jungle animal printouts will keep little hands busy with some imaginative artwork and therapeutic coloring.

9. You’re a Peach Fruit Cup Valentines

Alongside the many mouthfuls of candy, add a serving of fruit to the bunch with these juicy and playful fruit cup valentines.

10. Sip Sip Hooray Straw Valentines

Pick up a pack of heart-shaped straws and get everyone excited about washing down their favorite Valentine’s Day treats with these ‘Sip sip, hooray, it’s Valentine’s Day!’ cards.

11. You’re a Gem

Show everyone just how treasured they are with some glamorous and easy-to-assemble valentine bling. You can try fake rings, Ring Pop candy, stick-on earrings, or anything else that shines.

12. You’re a-MAZE-ing Printable Maze Valentines

Give an empowering message and a quick brain teaser with these clever maze printouts. If you want to jazz them up a bit, have your kiddo attach a Valentine’s Day-themed pencil or the V-Day candy they love.

13. Newspaper Valentines

If you’ve got a crafty kid who adores immersing themselves in little painting projects, then these delightful valentine goodie bags with watercolor newspaper hearts will be right up their alley. Fill the bags with small treats like candy, Valentine’s Day printables, temporary tattoos, or whatever works best!

14. Melted Crayon Valentines

Brighten hearts and craft time with creative valentines that are every color of the rainbow. Kids will have a blast peeling apart Crayons and witnessing their transformation into these liquefied multicolored new ones!