19 Brilliant Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids

So many classrooms and churches give out candy for Valentine’s day. While I have nothing against healthy valentine’s day treats, the sugar overload from most kids candy can be overwhelming. Here are some fun valentine’s day crafts to do with your kids that DON’T involve food. Valentine’s day crafts for kids are a perfect alternative for those with food allergies or who want to remove the focus from treats.

When we tell kids that they have to eat something sugary to celebrate or it’s not an occasion, it may not send the best message.  Childhood obesity and diabetes rates have skyrocketed. For the first time in decades, this generation has a shorter life expectancy than their ancestors. Cheap chocolate hearts, artificially colored suckers, and chalky conversation hearts (sorry to anyone who likes them) are things I’d rather avoid.

Will a little bit hurt that much? Probably not. However, with holidays, birthdays, and food based rewards kids can quickly consume more junk than we realize. We’ll still indulge in some healthy chocolate, like this raspberry chocolate mousse, but I don’t like overdoing it. It’s nice to have un-food related fun.

Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids

These projects can be done at home, in a classroom, or given along with a Valentine’s day card. I’m not a fan of lots of crafts littering my house (where do I put them??), but many of these projects are useful too. Crayons, chalk, and magnets are items my little one constantly plays with!

Chalk and Crayons

•  Heart Shaped Sidewalk Chalk from Oh, The Things We’ll Make
•  Heart shaped crayons from Gravity Mom
• Portable, Foldable, Chalkboard Heart from Oh, The Things We’ll Make

Paper Projects

•  Pop out Paper Hearts from Art Projects for Kids
• Paper Heart Penguin from Sassy Dealz
• Valentines heart Craft Prints from 4 Crazy Kings
•  Celery Roses from Messy Little Monster
•  Symmetry art Love Hearts from nurture store
• Heart Bunny Rabbit from Sassy Dealz

3-D Crafts

•  Valentine Paper Roll Owls from Cincy Shopper
• Red and White Candy Cane Playdough from Pine Cones and Primers
• Love Bug Valentines from Rhythms of Play
• Crayon Box Valentines from a Pumpkin and a Princess
• Valentine’s Party Drinking Straws from Paper Source Blogs

3-D Crafts Using Fabric and Yarn

•  Pom Pom Valentine Monster from Crafts Unleashed
• Heart Felt Bracelet from Merriment Design
• Heart Banner from Red and Honey

Magnets and Frames

• Salt Dough Fridge Magnets from Red Ted Art
• Salt Dough Heart Magnets Science Kiddo
• Fingerprint Photo Frame from One Artsy Mama