7 Cute Valentine's Day Craft Ideas for Toddlers & Preschoolers

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Sweet and Simple Art & Craft Ideas for Toddlers on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is coming up fast, so today we’re bringing you some cute (but easy) Valentine’s Day craft ideas for toddlers and preschoolers.

I promise, this is no “roundup” that will send you in all different directions, clicking through a million different pages on various websites.

These were all made and tested by myself and my two little girls, and they’re all right here on this page.

My two-year-old and I have really been hard at work making each of these creations — and the four-year-old, of course, when she’s not in school.

And, let me tell you, crafting is serious business for toddlers and preschoolers!

(Which makes it extra tiring for Mom, or whoever’s supervising, so that’s why I like to keep it super simple.)

Gather up your kiddos, grab whatever craft supplies you have on hand, and let’s get started on these cute Valentine’s Day crafts.

Recommended Supplies

Whether you’re using my Valentine’s craft ideas for toddlers or coming up with your own, there are a few basic supplies you’ll want to have on hand. Here are some ideas:

– popsicle sticks

– pipe cleaners

– toilet paper rolls

– washable paint

– paint brushes

– ink pads

– cotton balls

– construction paper

– paper plates

– pom poms

– assorted sequins

– googly eyes

– kids scissors

– glue sticks

– craft glue

– scotch tape

You might also enjoy: 21 Must-Have Arts & Craft Supplies for Toddlers and Preschoolers

1. Thumbprint Heart Artwork

I’m sharing this one first because it’s one of my favorite craft ideas for toddlers on Valentine’s Day. Once completed, it turned out so cute!

Have some ink pads or washable kids’ paint on hand? You don’t need much more than that to make this thumbprint heart artwork.

Supplies:

– two sheets construction paper

– ink pads or washable paint

– scissors

– tape

Step 1

Take one sheet of paper and cut out a heart shape. I was able to get mine pretty symmetrical by folding it in half, then cutting out half of a heart shape. Once unfolded, it formed a perfect heart.

Step 2

Now, roll up a few pieces of scotch tape and attach the heart to the other sheet of paper.

Step 3

Give your toddler or preschooler some ink pads or a few different paint colors, then show them how to dip their thumb in it and create thumbprints all over the paper.

(To be honest, I sped up the process by adding my own thumbprints, but you don’t have to.)

Note: Make sure there are plenty of prints around the edge of the heart!

Step 3

Wait for it to dry, and then carefully peel away the heart, making sure the tape doesn’t tear your kiddo’s artwork.

Step 4

And there you have it! A gorgeous thumbprint heart to display wherever you so choose.

2. Valentine’s Day Butterfly Craft

Help your little lovebug make their very own Valentine’s butterfly with this craft!

Supplies:

– one paper plate (or construction paper)

– additional sheet of construction paper

– one popsicle stick

– two tiny googly eyes

– coloring medium (we used metallic gel crayons)

– glue stick and craft glue

– pen and scissors

Step 1

Using one sheet of construction paper, cut out two medium sized hearts. I did this by folding a sheet of paper in half and then cutting out a heart — this helped me create two symmetrical hearts.

Step 2

Have your toddler color the hearts using whatever you have on hand (crayons, markers, etc.). If you really want to get fancy, you could get some paint sticks or twistable metallic gel crayons — these things are awesome!

Step 3

Now you’ll need either a colored craft stick or a plain popsicle stick that either you or your child can color/paint. Attach a couple tiny googly eyes and draw on the butterfly’s smile.

Step 4

Use a glue stick to attach the two hearts, or “wings”, to the back of a paper plate or a sheet of construction paper. Then use craft glue to attach the popsicle stick between the hearts. This is the butterfly’s body.

Step 5

Draw a couple of antennas and you’re done!

3. Construction Paper Heart

Kids love pom poms and glue! This craft is simple enough even for my two-year-old, and she gets to practice her fine motor skills.

Supplies:

– two sheets of construction paper

– pom poms and/or sequins

– scissors

– craft glue

Step 1

Cut out a heart shape from one of the sheets of construction paper. I was able to get mine pretty symmetrical by folding it in half, then cutting out half of a heart shape. Once unfolded, it formed a perfect heart.

Step 2

Use a glue stick to attach the heart to the other sheet of construction paper. Then make little glue dots all over the heart, around the perimeter, or however you’d like.

Step 3

Let your toddler or preschooler attach the pom poms and sequins to the dots of glue, then allow to dry and hang it up for all to see!

You might also enjoy: What to Do With Children’s Artwork When It’s Time to De-Clutter

4. Paper Heart Frame

You can use either finger paints or washable kids’ paint for this one. We used finger paints, but as you can see, my toddler would rather use a paintbrush than get her hands messy.

Supplies:

– finger paints and finger painting paper

– OR washable paint and any paper of your choice

– paint brushes (optional)

– one sheet colored construction paper

– scissors

– tape or glue

Step 1

Give your kiddo a full sheet of paper and let them paint it however they like. Let it dry.

Step 2

Take a sheet of colored paper and cut out a heart shape. I did this by folding a sheet of paper in half and then cutting out half of a heart — this helped me create a completely symmetrical heart frame.

You can either discard the inner heart (or use it for another craft). Make sure to save the outer part, or the “frame”.

Step 3

Once your little one’s painting has dried, tape or glue it behind the heart frame (so a portion of the painting appears through the “frame”). Then hang it up on the fridge, or wherever artwork is displayed in your house!

5. Pipe Cleaner Heart Stamp

I saw this idea on Pinterest and had to try it out for myself. It’s pretty simple, albeit messy!

You really have to load up the pipe cleaner with lots of paint — which is unlikely to be a problem when it comes to toddlers.

Supplies:

– one pipe cleaner

– washable paint

– paper of your choice

Step 1

Twist the pipe cleaner into a heart shape, leaving a little “tail” on the end so your kiddo has something to hold onto.

Step 2

Give your toddler or preschooler the stamp, some paint, and a sheet of paper. Let them go to town!

Step 3

Let it dry, then hang up their creation.

6. Cardboard Roll Valentine’s Critter

You’ll end up assembling most of this project, but you can let your child decorate the toilet paper roll and choose the colors for their pipe cleaner, pom pom, and the paper feet.

Supplies:

– one pipe cleaner

– two googly eyes

– one pom pom

– empty toilet paper roll

– construction paper

– scissors

– craft glue (and optionally clear tape)

Step 1

Allow your child to decorate the toilet paper roll however they like using whatever you have on hand — paint, markers, etc.

Step 2

For the antennas, cut a pipe cleaner in half and twist the ends however you wish. Then poke a couple of tiny holes near one end and thread the pipe cleaners through, twisting to secure.

Step 3

Cut a small heart shape out of some construction paper, then attach to the other end of the toilet paper roll. The heart will be the critter’s feet. You could try to attach it with some craft glue, although I got a little creative with scotch tape here.

Step 4

Attach two googly eyes. Then glue on a pom pom for the nose.

Step 5

Allow the glue to dry, then display the critter wherever you like (or let you child play with it!).

You might also enjoy: Fun and Inexpensive Valentine’s Day Gifts for Preschool Classmates

7. Happy Heart Puppets

With this one, you could either let your child decorate the heart and popsicle stick, or you could leave them plain.

Supplies:

– one sheet of construction paper

– two googly eyes

– two jumbo popsicle sticks

– pen or marker

– scissors and craft glue

Step 1

Using one sheet of construction paper, cut out two medium sized hearts. I did this by folding a sheet of paper in half and then cutting out a heart — this helped me create two symmetrical hearts.

Step 2

Allow your toddler or preschooler to decorate the hearts and/or popsicle sticks if they want to.

Step 3

Glue a popsicle stick to the back of each heart and allow to dry. Attach two googly eyes to each heart, and draw on facial features using a marker or pen.

Hand them over to your kiddo for hours of fun! (Or, at least, a few minutes…)