Easy Crafts for Kids to Make for Valentine's Day for Their Parents

Kids can create handmade crafts as a valentine for their parents.

A child's first introduction to Valentine's Day often occurs in preschool or kindergarten during arts and craft time. Many teachers use holidays like Valentine's Day as an opportunity for their students to create crafts to take home to their parents. Whether you are looking for Valentine's Day craft projects for one child or a whole class, there are a number of simple crafts you can teach kids how to make.

Cards

Handmade cards are one of the most common Valentine's Day crafts kids can make. Fold card stock, heavy patterned paper, poster board or construction paper in half to create the card. An adult can help the child cut the paper to create a heart-shaped card. Draw pictures on the card with crayons, color pencils or markers or decorate the card with a variety of embellishments, such as glitter, ribbon, stickers, beads and buttons. Also instruct the children to write their name and a short sentiment, such as "I Love You" or "Happy Valentine's Day" on the card.

Photo Frames

Kids can hand-make or decorate photo frames for their parents. If you are doing this project with less than five kids, consider purchasing plain wooden photo frames from a dollar store and having the kids decorate them. Paint the photo frames pink or red and glue embellishments to them. If you have a large group of kids, it may be less expensive to hand-make photo frames that fit standard 4-by-6-inch photos. Cover a 6-by-8-inch piece of cardboard or chipboard with patterned paper. Glue embellishments around the edges of the photo frame. Adults can attach string or hooks to the back of the cardboard or chipboard to hang the frame.

Jewelry and Accessories

Adults can teach children how to make jewelry and accessories as a simple Valentine's Day craft project. Make a wristband by stapling black elastic to 2-inch cardboard tubes and covering the tubes with pink felt with hearts on it. String pink and red beads on a piece of craft lace or 20-gauge wire to create a bracelet. Beads with letters that spell "I Love You" can also be added to the bracelet. Attach foam hearts to bobby pins or plain barrettes with double-sided tape to create unique hair barrettes.

Other Crafts

With an assortment of craft materials, adults can show kids how to create a variety of simple Valentine's Day projects. Cut a 12-by-12-inch piece of red construction paper or card stock into 12 strips an inch wide to form 12 hearts. Staple the 12 hearts together to make a paper heart chain wreath. Cover a large shoebox with Valentine-themed card stock or patterned paper to create a box parents can use for sorting mail or storing magazines and paper. Glue a heart-shaped doily between two slightly smaller red or pink heart-shaped pieces of foam to make a coaster. Decorate a sheet of large labels to create personalized Valentine's Day stickers. Make customized memo magnets by painting small wooden hearts with red and pink paint then gluing a magnet to the back of each heart.

References

• Disney Family Fun: Valentine's Day Craft Ideas
• "Parents": Valentine's Day Crafts
• Celebrations: 3 Valentine's Day Paper Crafts for Kids

Resources

• Family Education: Valentine's Day Cards Kids Can Make