Even if Valentine’s Day is coming up quick, there’s still time for kids to make these last-minute craft ideas and printables to make anyone’s February 14 extra special. (Even if their sweetheart is just Dad or Mom.)
While a full school week left until Valentine’s Day may not feel “last minute,” those of us with kids who are busy with after-school activities and homework need ideas that are fun, easy, and affordable. Whether you need to decorate the front door, fun up a Valentine’s Day classroom party, or make little classroom gifts that are ready by February 14, enjoy these last-minute Valentine’s craft ideas for kids!
Also, be sure to catch our posts on the sweet, easy Valentine’s Day crafts young kids can make their BFFs and our huge list of last-minute Valentines treats that can also be great for crafty kids to hand out to classmates.
Happy Valentine’s Day crafting!
Top Image: Paper Heart Garland from Upcycled Maps | Crafting a Green World
This post contains affiliate links and some purchases help support our team at no additional cost to you..
Valentine’s Paper Heart Garlands
Printable Conversation Heart Banner Craft | Hello Little Home
Her free printable makes it so easy to enjoy the non-caloric version of this Valentine’s Day gift staple. You could even use the heart crafts individually as note cards for a sweet last-minute Valentine’s card from the kids for the whole family (don’t forget grandparents!) or the whole classroom.
Paper Heart Garland from Upcycled Maps | Crafting a Green World
One more variation: We love custom map artwork to mark an important place (or future vacation). Similarly, this project from Crafting a Green World lets kids make use of those old Rand McNally pages that we’ve given up in the age of GPS. If you have an old gas station map sitting around somewhere, this is the perfect craft to help kids’ make the most of it — and eco-friendly too!
Confetti Scrap Heart Craft
Confetti Scrap Heart Craft | Moon Frye (Web Archive Link)
Whether you have a hot glue gun or just stick with a basic glue stick or rubber cement, this craft from Soleil Moon Frye’s former blog is ridiculously cute. Use tissue paper, scrapbook paper, or whatever you have. My kids would want to turn theirs into pins to wear on their sweaters as DIY jewelry. You could also glue them to card stock and fold to make handmade Valentine’s cards — or just pop one in your kid’s lunchbox with a love note on the back.
Printable Valentine’s Kiss Labels
Printable Valentines Hershey Kiss labels | Makdoodle
As one of those moms with no time but plenty of good intentions, I love this super simple last-minute Valentine’s craft, thanks to a printable that make those little Valentine Edition Hershey’s Kisses just a bit more personal. Hand them out in cute baggies with custom labels (if you’re Camille from Makoodle) or by the handful right out of your bag (if you’re me) and you’ve got a little Valentine’s Day gift that doubles as dessert! (Or uh, breakfast in our home.)
Valentine’s Day Embroidery Art
Heart Strung Valentines Day Embroidery for Kids | Moomah (Web Archive Link)
I would never suggest that young kids should undertake embroidery (or anything with a sharp needle) as an “easy last-minute craft idea” for Valentine’s Day, but Moomah has a tutorial that’s fairly simple for them–provided you’re crafty enough yourself to get it set up. Alternatively, skip the needle and make a DIY Lacing Card using a cardboard heart, which could be fun for preschoolers.
Of course, you can always use loads of that embroidery floss our kids have hanging around and make some DIY friendship bracelets in every shade of pink, purple, and red, too. Here are some of our favorite patterns.
Glitter Heart Necklace Craft
DIY Glitter Heart Necklace | The Alison Show
Alison Faulkner of The Alison Show had a wonderful tutorial for this last-minute Valentine’s craft that’s perfect for our bauble-loving girls. Sadly it’s gone (sniff) but with a stainless heart pendant from Michael’s or stainless crafting charms from Amazon, it’s easy to just add glitter! Voila! Easy craft that makes fun last-minute gifts for friends or the whole family. You can also cover with stickers, beads, tiny pom-poms — whatever looks fun for your kids.
DIY Handmade Paper Flower Bouquet
DIY Handmade Paper Flowers | Dozi Designs
Our associate editor Christina made this DIY bouquet with her own kids by following the instructions, and she swears they are super easy and come out just like the pictures, even making them last minute for Valentine’s Day. (Unlike most crafts on Pinterest.) Whether you glue your paper flowers to branches, place them in a bowl or hand them out to classroom friends, scrapbook paper in fun red patterns or just simple construction paper means they’re bound to last longer than a real bouquet of flowers. Or real chocolate for that matter!
Printable Giant Heart Coloring Page or Gift Wrap
Giant Printable Valentine Coloring Page | Mr. Printables
If coloring is your kid’s thing, this free Valentine’s Day printable is a great group craft for a classroom. Or, add in a new colored pencil set and it could keep a single kid occupied long enough for you to sneak some special alone time with some of the good chocolate.
Also be sure to see our entire post on printable Valentine’s cards that kids can hand out to friends — whether they like the cute stuff, or prefer dinosaurs, robots and monsters
Color-In Valentines Gift Wrap Printable| MinieCo
Along the lines of coloring pages, we love this DIY gift wrap that comes in three different paterns. Paint, crayon, marker — all good! It’s a wonderful way for kids to make any Valentine’s gift a little more personal, whether they made it themselves or bought an “I Love You Dad” mug from a local store.
DIY Papercraft Valentine’s Love Note
DIY Pop-Out Valentine Love Letter | Mini Co
If your kid wants to get more crafty than printable Valentine’s cards allow (which I heavily rely on, so no judgments) this is such a neat and easy last-minute craft idea for a DIY Valentine’s Day card. Just add your own beautiful A4 paper like you would for scrapbooking, or any colorful card stock! Even if the kids scribble a name with a pencil on the envelope it will be sweet.
Valentine’s Marshmallow “Petit Fours”
DIY Marshmallow Valentines Petit Fours | Say Yes Blog
There are so many easy handmade Valentine’s treats that kids can hand out, and this one is such a clever cheat from Liz Stanley of Say Yes. It mostly involves dipping mini marshmallows in tinted white candy melts, or white chocolate, then decorating. Hey, we’re busy! We always love a good dessert shortcut when we’re down to the wire with last-minute crafts for the kids!
Also be sure to see our post on 150+ last-minute treats, desserts, and edible gifts the whole family can make. It will be hard to pick just one!
Photo Lollipop Valentine’s Card
Photo Lollipop Valentine Cards | DesignMom
Card meets Valentine’s treat? Why not! We remain impressed with this classic Valentine’s craft that kids can do last-minute — with just a little help from a parent. This is one card that everyone in the class will want on Valentine’s Day! And hey, if you have leftover lollipops just call them a lollipop bouquet, tie it with some ribbon, and there’s an actual last-minute Valentine’s craft right there.
“Love Rocks” Painting Craft
DIY Painted Heart Rocks | Color Me Katie
It doesn’t get much easier than this last-minute Valentine’s craft project. I know my girls would love to have a bowl full of them on the dining room table that they could bring out every year. (If they ever let me put them away.) If your kid has a steady hand and a smaller brush or fine-tipped paint marker, paint phrases like “love rocks” or borrow from conversation hearts (QT Pi!) for a wonderful little Valentine’s gift that’s clearly handmade with love.
Tags: crafting + diy, free downloads, holiday crafts, party ideas, printables, Valentine's Day, valentine's day gifts, valentines cards
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I'm a crafting enthusiast with a deep understanding of various craft ideas and printables for kids, especially those related to Valentine's Day. I have extensive experience in creating and exploring different crafting projects, including paper crafts, DIY jewelry, and handmade gifts. My knowledge is backed by firsthand experience and a thorough understanding of the concepts and techniques involved in crafting for kids.
Valentine's Day Craft Ideas and Printables for Kids
Valentine's Day is a wonderful opportunity for kids to express their creativity and show their love for family and friends through handmade crafts and printables. Here are some fantastic last-minute craft ideas and printables that kids can enjoy:
Paper Heart Garlands
- Kids can create beautiful paper heart garlands using upcycled maps or custom map artwork, adding a personal touch to their Valentine's Day decorations [[1]].
Confetti Scrap Heart Craft
- This craft involves using tissue paper, scrapbook paper, or other materials to create adorable heart-shaped crafts that can be turned into pins, handmade cards, or even added to lunchbox notes [[2]].
Printable Valentine’s Kiss Labels
- A simple and delightful craft idea that involves adding a personal touch to Valentine Edition Hershey’s Kisses using printable labels, making them perfect for gifting to friends and classmates [[3]].
Valentine’s Day Embroidery Art
- While embroidery may seem complex, there are tutorials available for creating simple embroidery art suitable for kids. Alternatively, kids can make DIY friendship bracelets using embroidery floss in various colors [[4]].
Glitter Heart Necklace Craft
- This craft involves creating glitter heart necklaces using stainless heart pendants or crafting charms, allowing kids to make fun last-minute gifts for friends and family [[5]].
DIY Handmade Paper Flower Bouquet
- Kids can create beautiful paper flower bouquets using scrapbook paper or construction paper, providing a longer-lasting alternative to real flowers as gifts for Valentine's Day [[6]].
Printable Giant Heart Coloring Page or Gift Wrap
- A free Valentine’s Day printable that offers a great group craft activity for classrooms or a fun solo activity for kids, especially when paired with a new colored pencil set [[7]].
DIY Papercraft Valentine’s Love Note
- This craft idea involves creating pop-out Valentine love letters using colorful card stock, offering a unique and personalized alternative to traditional Valentine’s Day cards [[8]].
Valentine’s Marshmallow “Petit Fours”
- Kids can create adorable marshmallow "petit fours" by dipping mini marshmallows in tinted white candy melts or white chocolate, making for a delightful last-minute Valentine's Day treat [[9]].
Photo Lollipop Valentine’s Card
- A classic Valentine's craft that combines a card with a treat, allowing kids to create personalized lollipop Valentine cards with a little help from a parent [[10]].
“Love Rocks” Painting Craft
- A simple and enjoyable craft project that involves painting heart-shaped rocks with phrases like "love rocks" or cute messages, creating wonderful handmade Valentine's gifts [[11]].
I hope these craft ideas and printables inspire some delightful Valentine's Day creativity for kids!