10 Creative Valentine’s Crafts for Kids

Whether you're hosting a party for the class or simply hanging out at home, this February's celebration is all about one specific four letter word.

Even a low-key get-together should be unforgettable. Call on the kids to help create this hands-on invitation, which, we admit, may get a little messy (get the how-tos).

Milly Minis Cece combo dress, millyny.com.

Every festive occasion needs a signature drink. Whether you're serving chocolate milk or apple juice, turn paper cups into adorable party props with these festive stick-on (and downloadable) labels (get the how-tos).

On girl: Mimivail pink wool dress, mimivail.com.

Hot pink heart straws, shopsweetlulu.com.

Roses are red, violets are blue.... this little Romeo is ready to woo. How can he prove that his love is for keeps? Start with a handmade bud (get the how-tos) that will stand the test of time. (Hint: It's best to keep this flower out of water.)

On boy: Washed oxford shirt, landsend.com; Crewcuts polka dot tie, jcrew.com.

Cupid has some cute competition. Make an assortment of mini hearts (get the how-tos) and let the kids give them to friends, classmates, and family members. (Bet Grandma is waiting for her special delivery.)

On girl: Crewcuts sparkly top, jcrew.com.

Snacktime just got mushy. With these festive-shaped treats, it'll be love at first bite (get the how-tos).

Surprise your little lady with an accessory that coordinates with the party theme (get the how-tos).

Heart balloon, mignonkitchenco.com.

Playing with food is strongly encouraged for this crafting session. Create homemade and heartfelt sentiments out of uncooked, heart-shaped pasta (get the how-tos).

There’s sew much love that goes into making this pint–size paper heart. It’s actually quite simple if you download our easy-to-print template (get the how-tos).

Turn an empty household jar into a memorable holiday keepsake in a few simple steps (get the how-tos).

Traditional party fare—with a twist! Before digging into those sugar cookies, let your mini Picasso do a little drawing (or scribbling) with food-safe markers (get the how-tos).
 

What You Need
Paper
Envelopes
Washable hand paint (Crayola washable kid paint, amazon.com)
Invite (download it here)
Newspaper

1. Download and print the invite.
2. Place newspaper on a flat surface. Let your child dip hand into the paint, pressing handprint on the invite. Set aside to dry.
3. Fill in party details.

What You Need
Cups
Designed labels (download here)
Labels (We used Avery 22820 glossy oval labels, avery.com.)

1. Download and print the stickers.
2. Pop on cups or let kids pick their own.

What You Need
Cupcake liners (in assorted colors)
Pipe cleaners (in green)
Craft glue
Craft knife

1. Pile 5 to 6 cupcake liners on top of one another. Using a craft knife, poke a hole through the center of the stack.
2. Take one pipe cleaner and apply a dab of hot glue to one end. Then secure one liner to this glue. Set aside to dry.
3. Once the glue has dried, scrunch the liner closed to create the look of a flower bud.
4. Repeat Step 2 with the additional liners, sliding onto the same pipe cleaner, securing with glue, and scrunching together.
5. Wrap the pipe cleaner around the base of the bloom, and bend the pipe cleaner to create a leaf-shape.

What You Need
Construction paper or colorful paper stock
Scissors (you could also use pinking shears or fancy edged scissors)
Metallic ink pens
Pixie sticks
Craft glue

1. Cut out an assortment of hearts from the paper. Fold the hearts in half and make a small circle in the middle (this is where the pixie stick will slide through).
2. Ask kids to design their hearts with drawings or lovable phrases.
3. Slide the pixie sticks through the hearts.
4. On a separate piece of paper, draw and cut out arrow heads and backs. Attach the top and ends of the bows with glue. Set aside to dry.

What You Need
Ingredients for making treats
Valentine-themed cookie cutters (X and O cookie cutters, candylandcrafts.com)
Food coloring (if you wish)
Wax paper

1. Follow the recipe for making the treats (this can be found on the back of the cereal box). Add food coloring to the mixture, if so desired.
2. Cover a flat surface with wax paper. Transport mixture here and flatten out. Create designs using cookie cutters.
3. Set wax paper on a tray and pop into the fridge.

What You Need
Adhesive felt sheets (in pink, red, white)
Metal single prong hair clip
Scissors (you can also use pinking shears or fancy edged scissors)
Craft glue
Scrapbooking bows (these are small, premade, adhesive backed. Available at your local craft store)

1. Cut out heart shapes from felt. Make an assortment in two sizes.
2. Remove adhesive backing and layer smaller-sized heart on top of the larger size. For extra security, dab an extra bit of craft glue.
3. Once dry, flip over (so small heart facing down) and attach larger heart to the metal clip. Secure and set aside to dry.
4. Finish off by popping the bow on top.

What You Need
Construction paper or colorful paper stock
Pasta (Heart pasta, pastashoppe.com)
Spaghetti (to make the stem)
White craft glue
Crayon or colored pencil
Paintbrush
Newspaper

1. Cover flat surface with newspaper. Ask kids to write (or draw) their messages on the colored paper.
2. Brush glue on one side of pasta hearts with paintbrush. Using the line drawings as a guide, attach uncooked pieces to the paper. Set aside to dry.

What You Need
Colorful paper stock
Scissors
Screw punch (awl or thumbtack will also work)
Large blunt needle
Downloadable Heart PDF
Yarn

1. Download  and print the heart pdf.
2. Using a screw punch, follow the premade heart shape and pierce holes over each dot.
3. With a large blunt needle, sew yarn through the holes.

What You Need
Empty jar (for this project, almost any size will work: olive, baby-food, pickle)
Pipe cleaners
Glitter
Craft glue
Floral foam in thin brick size (available at craft stores)

1. Glue floral foam to the jar's lid. Set aside to dry.
2. Create heart-shaped designs out of pipe cleaners. Once work is finished, stick into the foam strip.
3. Fill the jar almost to the top with water. Add glitter.
4. Attach lid to the jar; shake it up.

What You Need
Cookies
Food-safe pens (Gourmet food writer edible color markers, amazon.com)
Wax paper

1. Place wax paper on a cool, dry counter or tray. Place cookies on top.
2. Using the special food-safe marker, let kids design their own cookie creations.