Valentine’s Day is all about love, but let’s face it: when toddlers are involved, it’s also about keeping things simple and not drowning in a sea of glitter. These five easy Valentine’s crafts strike the perfect balance of adorable and manageable. Plus, they double as keepsakes that grandparents will fawn over.
1. Thumbprint Heart Glass Gem Magnets
Because nothing says “I love you” like tiny fingerprints immortalized under glass. This genius idea from Rhythms of Play is perfect for fridge decor or guilt-free gift-giving to relatives.
Here’s the plan: your kid dips their thumb in paint, stamps it on a glass gem to form a heart, and you slap a magnet on the back. Boom. Crafting magic with minimal effort.
What You’ll Need:
- Flat glass gems
- Non-toxic paint (because toddlers)
- Magnets
- Glue
2. Toilet Paper Roll Heart Stamps
Finally, a reason to celebrate your growing stash of empty toilet paper rolls! This crafty hack from Pretty Prudent turns trash into treasure with a few squeezes.
Pinch the roll into a heart shape, dip it into some paint, and let your toddler stamp away on paper. It’s so easy, you might even get a moment to sip your coffee. Bonus: no glitter cleanup.
What You’ll Need:
- Toilet paper rolls
- Washable paint
- Paper
3. Tissue Paper Flowers
If you’re looking for a Valentine’s craft that’s both cute and oddly therapeutic, this idea from Parents is for you.
Your toddler can scrunch and layer tissue paper while you “help” (aka supervise with a coffee in hand). Add a pipe cleaner stem, and voilà—an adorable bouquet for Grandma that didn’t cost $50 at a florist.
What You’ll Need:
- Tissue paper
- Pipe cleaners
- Scissors
4. “I Love You to Pieces” Collage
This one from Taming Little Monsters might be the most honest craft ever. Your toddler tears up paper, glues it onto a heart outline, and you call it art. Add the phrase “I Love You to Pieces,” and it’s suddenly sentimental.
The best part? This project is toddler-proof. Let them go wild with the tearing, gluing, and inevitable sticking things to their hands.
What You’ll Need:
- Construction paper
- Glue (lots of it)
- Cardstock
- Markers
5. Handprint Heart Poem
Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like slapping paint on your toddler’s hands and calling it a masterpiece. Simply Full of Delight delivers the perfect keepsake craft with a heartfelt poem attached.
Press their painted hands onto paper to form a heart, write the poem (or make one up—who’s judging?), and watch the grandparents tear up. It’s cheap, adorable, and lets you feel like a Pinterest parent for a day.
What You’ll Need:
- Non-toxic paint
- Paper
- Marker
Final Thoughts
These Valentine’s crafts are proof that you can create something cute without losing your sanity. From magnets to collages, there’s a project here for every skill level—even if your toddler’s primary talent is making a mess.
Which one will you tackle first? Let us know in the comments—bonus points if you share the messy aftermath. 😉 And if you want to look festive while doing these crafts, we recommend our 'I heart crafts' sweatshirt!