3 cute & easy Valentine’s Day craft ideas for kids

Before Valentine’s Day became a romantic holiday with an often stressful rap, it was one of the most exciting days of the school year. Conversation hearts, little cards, chocolate drops and construction paper crafts.

Put some sweetness back into V-Day this year and celebrate it like a kid—with your kids.

Here are our favorite fun and easy Valentine’s Day craft ideas for children, whether they need some last-minute inspiration for their classroom card exchange, want to decorate the house or they’d like to send a surprise gift to their grandparents.

These crafts are inexpensive, clever and a cute as cupcakes. And, chances are, you have all of the materials already in your home.

Hand hearts

How did we never think of this before? Hand-print heart cards!

What you need: Paper, scissors, a pencil, one adorable little hand

How to do it: Trace your child’s hand on a folded piece of paper—upside down so the arch between the thumb and pointer finger will cut out like a heart when the paper is unfolded. These totally beat the ol’ standard heart-shaped paper cards because they’re personalized, but they’re not much harder. Make it an annual tradition and track your child’s growth. See the simple instructions on Red Tricycle.

Leave footprints

Once you’ve got the hands covered, use your child’s feet as the next inspiration for a personalized Valentine’s Day project.

What you need: Paper, markers or washable paint, a stamp pad large enough for your child’s feet. Oh, and don’t forget a roll of paper towels to wipe off your child’s feet afterward!

How to do it: You can create a number of different themed pictures using the shape of your child’s footprint: a bee, bug, heart, wagon, car, butterfly. One of our favorite bloggers, Crafty Morning, offers a ton of ideas and easy how-tos here.

Heart sun catchers

Decorate your house with these colorful hearts and even leave them up year-round.

What you need: Large white coffee filters, liquid or traditional watercolor paint (or watered-down food coloring), scissors

How to do it: These are actually easier to make than you’d expect. Flatten out the coffee filters and cut them in the shape of hearts. Paint them with water colors and then hang them when they’re dry. Fun At Home With Kids offers more detailed instructions and pictures to inspire your kids.