60 Best Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids and Adults
These Valentine's Day DIYs include handmade cards, decor, and gift ideas.
For many people, Valentine’s Day is thought of as either a super romantic holiday geared toward couples, or as just another holiday that seems to revolve around kids seeing exactly how much candy they can eat. But it’s also a great holiday to get the whole family involved with Valentine's Day crafts and DIY decorations. From handmade Valentine's Day cards and thoughtfully crafted Valentine's Day gifts for kids and adults, to homemade Valentine's Day desserts, there are dozens of ways to get creative and experiment with art on February 14 — whether you have a significant other or not.
Valentine's Day art projects are also a great option to consider if you’re looking for a way to avoid the sweet treats and candy that the holiday can be known for. Choosing instead to focus on arts and crafts can be a way to practice creativity and avoid the sugar crash that is so common after an indulgent holiday. With a little forethought and the right supplies, you can plan a whole day of activities for the whole family. Here are 60 of the best Valentine’s Day craft ideas to get you started, from projects for toddlers to DIY Valentine's ideas for older kids and parents.
Piece of My Heart Shadow Box
Repurpose an old puzzle—perhaps one with a few missing pieces—to make this easy DIY gift for someone you love. Arrange the pieces in a heart shape, then hot glue onto colored card stock, overlapping some. Glue the paper to the cardboard backing of a shadow box, and you've got a thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ready to go.
Puzzle Piece Necklaces or Key Chains
Paint two puzzle pieces that fit together with a metallic pen. Attach jump rings with hot glue, then hook onto necklace chains or a key ring, depending on your preference. Use a stamping tool to add words or shapes if you're feeling fancy.
We Fit Together Puzzle Piece Card
Simply hot glue two matching puzzle pieces that go together onto card stock and write a message (Valentine's Day puns encouraged) for a heartfelt DIY Valentine's Day card that costs next to nothing. Need ideas? Try "I love you 2 pieces," "You're my perfect fit," "We just fit," or "Thanks for being a piece of my life."
Playing Card Heart Wreath
Deck out your door with this playful DIY, and everyone will follow suit. You'll need a heart wreath form and two decks of cards. Pull out all the heart suit cards. Hot glue a card to the bottom of the form. Then layer another card on top, gluing to the previous card in one spot and to the form in another. Repeat until the entire form is covered.
Playing Card Kiss Garland
Another handy DIY using playing cards, this garland can be made by tracing lip shapes on the faces of red-backed cards, then cutting out the lips with scissors or a precision knife. Attach to red ribbon or string with glue or tape, and hang.
Emoji Lemon Squares
Combine baking with arts and crafts to make these yummy lemon squares, decorated with powdered sugar emojis. (Don't worry, we've got a template to make things easier).
Get the Emoji Lemon Squares tutorial.
Rainbow Patterned Heart Wreath
The simple secret to this creative rainbow door hanging? Heart-shaped paper plates!
Get the Rainbow Patterned Heart Wreath tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Geometric Heart Flower Vases
These gorgeous painted hearts are hiding glass vases, and they're way easier to make than they look thanks to paper mache heart boxes.
Get the Geometric Heart Flower Vases tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Paint Chip Heart Garland
You can pick up paint samples (for free!) from the hardware store and use them to make a pretty ombre heart garland for easy Valentine's Day decor.
Get the Paint Chip Heart Garland tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Gold Foil Iron-on Heart Shirt
Make a festive craft you can wear come February 14! This DIY uses a gold foil heat transfer and any shirt of your choice.
Get the Gold Foil Iron-on Heart Shirt tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Cut-Paper Flower Card
Help your little ones make their very own Valentine's Day cards with a candy heart center.
Get the Cut-Paper Flower Card tutorial.
Yarn-Wrapped Heart
This adorable heart-shaped craft doubles as holiday decor and takes just 5 minutes to make.
- Cut out a heart shape from a piece of cardboard.
- Tape the end of a yarn spool to the back of your heart.
- Wrap yarn around the heart until the cardboard is all covered.
- Cut off the yarn, loop the loose end through another piece of yarn, and tie it.
Paper Heart Mobile
This decorative Valentine's Day DIY for kids is so easy to make, and it will look adorable hanging up at home or in the classroom.
Get the Paper Heart Mobile tutorial at Buggy and Buddy.
'Inside Out' Valentines
These punny valentines inspired by the Pixar movie Inside Out include reusable silicone straws instead of candy, making them as sustainable as they are adorable.
Get the Inside Out Valentines tutorial at Studio DIY.
Robot Valentine's Day Snack
As blogger Vanessa Coppola says about her creation, this cute-as-can-be snack DIY is 5-year-old tested and mom approved. Plus it's a rare Valentine's Day treat made without candy.
Get the Robot Valentine's Day Snack Craft tutorial at See Vanessa Craft.
DIY Valentine's Day Photobooth
If you're throwing a Valentine's Day party, consider adding in a fun photo element with this easy DIY photo booth set up. It's affordable and sure to provide hours of fun for kids and adults alike.
Get the DIY Valentine's Day Photo Booth tutorial at See Vanessa Craft.
DIY Magic Wand Pencil Valentines
Pencils with white erasers + black paper + tape + valentine printables = these magic wand valentines sure to excite any witch- or wizard-in-training.
Get the Magic Wand Pencil Valentines tutorial and free printable at A Kailo Chic Life.
Paint Strip Valentines
You can pick up some Valentine-colored paint swatch strips at your local hardware store (for free!) and have kids use inked letter or heart-shaped stamps to create customized, colorful valentines. These can also double as bookmarks!
Be sure to allow the ink to dry for about five minutes. Our friends at Country Living have a smart trick to make sure the ink stays put: Coat each paint strip with aerosol hair spray before stamping.
Yarn Flowers
Flower prices always skyrocket on Valentine's Day, but you can make your own bouquet that will never wilt and is much cheaper. To make, our friends at Country Living say to utilize pom-pom makers in three different sizes.
Here's the how-to: Wrap yarn around the tool's arms, then follow the package instructions to create the "buds." Put a little bit of hot glue on the end of a thin twig and insert into the pom-pom's center. Hold in place until the glue dries (about 10 seconds). Repeat as many times as you'd like, then arrange in vases.
Miniature Paper Airplane Notes
These old-school paper airplane cards are not only adorable, but they're also functional, so you can playfully throw one over to your crush.
Thanks to Country Living contributing editor Cathe Holden's printable design template, all you have to do is print on 8x11" paper, have your kid write a note, then cut off the attached folding instructions and follow them for paper airplane perfection.
Olivia Muenter is a freelance writer and former fashion and beauty editor who writes about fashion, beauty, lifestyle, relationships, travel, home decor, and more for Woman's Day and beyond. Her work has appeared in Bustle, Refinery 29, Glamour, Byrdie, Apartment Therapy, Philadelphia Magazine, and more. When she's not reading (or talking about reading on Bad on Paper, the bookish podcast she co-hosts), you can find Olivia working on her first novel, curating the perfect playlist, or shopping online.
Jamie Kravitz (she/her) is the digital editor at Woman's Day, where she oversees the brand's digital platforms and covers holidays, food, and more. Before joining WD in 2021, she was a digital editor at the Rachael Ray Show. Jamie has over five years of experience writing relationship, entertainment, home, and gifting content for publications including The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, Insider, and Elite Daily. She graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing and lives in Brooklyn with her cats, Lumos and Linus.
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