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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.
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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.
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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.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert in public speaking and have a deep understanding of the concepts used in this article. I can provide information on various aspects of public speaking, including attention-getters, introductions, conclusions, organization, and delivery. Let's dive into each of these concepts.
Attention-Getters:
An attention-getter is a strategy used to grab the audience's attention at the beginning of a speech. It is crucial to engage the audience from the start to ensure they are interested in what you have to say. Some common attention-getters include:
- Start with a compelling story or anecdote: Sharing a personal or relatable story can captivate the audience and make them curious about the topic.
- Ask a thought-provoking question: Pose a question that challenges the audience's thinking and encourages them to reflect on the topic.
- Use a surprising statistic or fact: Presenting a surprising or shocking statistic can immediately capture the audience's attention and make them eager to learn more.
- Begin with a powerful quote: Quoting a well-known figure or an expert in the field can add credibility to your speech and intrigue the audience.
Introductions:
The introduction of a speech serves to provide an overview of the topic and establish a connection with the audience. It typically consists of three main parts:
- Attention-getter: As mentioned earlier, the introduction starts with an attention-getter to engage the audience.
- Thesis statement: The thesis statement clearly states the main purpose or argument of the speech. It helps the audience understand what to expect and provides a roadmap for the speech.
- Preview of main points: After the thesis statement, the speaker briefly outlines the main points or arguments that will be discussed in the speech. This helps the audience follow the structure of the speech and mentally prepare for the upcoming content.
Conclusions:
The conclusion of a speech is just as important as the introduction. It provides closure and leaves a lasting impression on the audience. A well-crafted conclusion typically includes the following elements:
- Summary of main points: The speaker briefly recaps the main points discussed in the speech. This reinforces the key takeaways for the audience.
- Closing statement: The closing statement should be impactful and leave a lasting impression. It can be a call to action, a thought-provoking statement, or a memorable quote.
- Final thought or clincher: A final thought or clincher is a powerful statement that leaves the audience with something to ponder or remember. It can be a thought-provoking question, a call to action, or a memorable anecdote.
Organization:
Organizing a speech is crucial for clarity and effectiveness. A well-structured speech helps the audience understand the content and enhances the speaker's credibility. Here are some key principles of speech organization:
- Introduction: As discussed earlier, the introduction sets the stage for the speech and includes an attention-getter, thesis statement, and preview of main points.
- Body: The body of the speech contains the main points or arguments. Each main point should be supported by evidence, examples, or statistics. It is essential to organize the main points logically and coherently.
- Transitions: Transitions are used to smoothly move from one main point to another. They help the audience follow the flow of the speech and understand the connections between ideas.
- Conclusion: The conclusion wraps up the speech by summarizing the main points and leaving the audience with a memorable closing statement.
Delivery:
Delivery refers to how a speaker presents a speech to the audience. It includes aspects such as body language, vocal delivery, and visual aids. Here are some key considerations for effective delivery:
- Professional appearance: Present yourself professionally by being well-groomed and wearing appropriate attire. This helps establish credibility and shows respect for the audience.
- Eye contact: Maintain eye contact with the audience to establish a connection and convey confidence. Avoid staring at notes or focusing on one person for too long.
- Vocal variety: Use vocal variety to engage the audience and convey emotions. Vary your tone, pitch, and pace to add interest and emphasis to your speech.
- Nonverbal gestures: Use appropriate hand gestures and body movements to enhance your message. Avoid excessive or distracting gestures that may detract from your speech.
- Visual aids: Visual aids, such as slides or props, can enhance understanding and engagement. Use them sparingly and ensure they support your main points without overwhelming the audience.
I hope this information provides a comprehensive understanding of the concepts used in the article. If you have any further questions or need more specific information, feel free to ask!
