Creative DIY Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, so that means it’s time to get creative with the kids to make Valentine’s Day cards that give a lasting impression. We made creative “cards” the past few years and the kids loved it as much as I did. They were able to get more involved with the process, help decide which ones they wanted to make and what they wanted to say. It quickly became something more than just signing their name to a store bought card, it became a project perfect for us to do together. And my kids love doing craft projects with me!

Last year we made a different one for each of the older boys. Our preschooler’s were geared towards children in the three to five age-range, and our 9-year-old’s were fit for older kids – both boys and girls.

Valentine, I Dig You.

Materials:

• Plastic shovels
• Valentine’s Day candy
• Cellophane gift bags
• Twist ties
• Ribbon
• Cardstock
• 4-inch circle punch
• Heart stamp
• Stamp pad or stamp marker
• Marker
• Scissors
• Hole punch

Directions:

1. Using the circle punch, punch a circle out of the cardstock paper.
2. Stamp a heart in the center of the circle.
3. Write: “Valentine, I dig you! [heart], your child’s name” around the stamped heart.
4. Punch a hole at the top of the circle, set aside.
5. Pour a handful of Valentine’s candy inside the shovel.
6. Gently place shovel (with the candy in it) inside the cellophane bag.
7. Using a twist tie, secure the bag around the handle of the shovel to close the bag.
8. Place one piece of ribbon under the shovel handle, below the twist tie.
9. Knot the ribbon over the twist tie to hide it.
10. String the stamped circle onto the ribbon.
11. Knot the ribbon then tie a bow.

Valentine, Never LEGO My Heart.

Using a play on words, we created a functional, easy-to-make, modern and simple looking Valentine’s Day card.

Materials:

• White cardstock paper
• Paper cutter
• 3-inch x 5-inch plastic bags (lollipop bags are the perfect size)
• Stapler
• Colored staples (optional)
• Letter stamps
• Stamp pad or stamp marker
• Corner cutter
• 9 red square LEGO pieces (2 rows of 2 pegs aka “2 block”)
• 3 red rectangle LEGO pieces (2 rows of 4 pegs aka “4 block”)

Directions:

1. Cut one piece of cardstock paper in fourths (one piece of cardstock paper makes 4 Valentine’s Day cards).
2. Round the corners of each card.
3. Stamp “Valentine,” at the top of each card.
4. Stamp “never LEGO my heart!” at the bottom of each card.
5. Create a LEGO heart (see below for detailed directions).
6. Place one LEGO heart in each plastic bag.
7. Fold the open end of each bag under, staple to the card.
8. Write child’s name of the back or the bottom of the card.

Tip: You can substitute the stamping with markers to make it easier.

LEGO heart visual directions:

Warning: This Valentine card is meant for older children because of the small LEGO pieces.

More creative ideas I’ve found on Pinterest lately (that also serve as inspiration for this year’s Valentine’s Day cards).

• Magnifying Glass Valentine on Dandee

• Valentine, You Rule! on Thompson and Spring

• I Need S’More Friends Like You on Domesticated Lady

• Star Wars Valentine on inchmark

Written by:
Christina Holt, Writer/Teacher- Mommy Loves Coffee