Looking for the best (and easiest) Valentine’s day art activities? Enjoy this carefully curated list of arts and crafts themed for Valentine’s day. It’s the perfect list of multi-age ideas for toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids.
What are the best Valentine’s day art activities?
Valentine’s day and art activities are truly MFEO (made for each other and if you didn’t get the Valentine movie reference, I just don’t know what to with myself).
There’s something about this love-themed holiday that is tailor made for art activities – and kids just love that.
However (and this is a big however), the best Valentine’s day art activities are not the fancy ones, the ones with lengthy supply lists, or the ones that come out looking more adult-created than child-created.
You know that kinds of projects I’m talking about.
For this list of best art activities for Valentine’s day, I focused on doable art ideas that kids from toddlers to tweens will love trying.
RELATED: Looking for more Valentine’s day activities for kids (like sensory and STEM ideas)? Check out my list of 25 fun activities.
Why I like a Valentine’s day art activity
Let’s start with some ground rules: You do not (and I really mean do not) need to do seasonal or holiday themed activities with your child.
These are optional. Not a requirement.
Here’s why I personally like a holiday activity with kids: holidays are super abstract for little kids. Activities bring them to life. They make a holiday tangible. They give you a moment to talk about them.
Experiences with kids can be expensive, but activities at home are a more cost-effective way to introduce and then make memories with a holiday.
RELATED: Do you love a seasonal book list? Me too! My friend at Happily Ever Elephants has the best list of Valentine’s day books for kids.
20+ Best Valentine’s Day Art Activities
Shaving Cream Marbled Art
Shaving cream + washable paint = a marbled, tie-dye effect that is absolutely epic. You must try this ASAP. Kids love it.
Bubble Wrap Heart Art
How cute is this up-cycled project with bubble wrap and washable paint. Make the cutest Valentine prints with this activity!
Tape Resist Heart
We love a tape resist project and this one is just as cute as any other! Let your kid paint and mix with their hands for an extra fun sensory experience.
Spin Art Hearts
Break out that salad spinner and watch this fun art project come to life! Bonus: all the mess is contained.
Heart Art Painting
Read the adorable story “The Day It Rained Hearts” and then make this art project based on it. It involves using heart shaped cookie cutters to create a unique print to share with all.
Valentine Heart Art
This large scale overlapping heart art is the cutest. Kids love painting small spaces as part of a larger whole activity.
Symmetrical Heart Printing
A process art project that introduces the concept of symmetry to preschoolers in a fun and creative way. Tip: have extra hearts available because your child will want to make a million of them.
Hidden Names Crayon Resist
A great way for kids to practice recognizing and naming the letters in their name. The uncovering of each mystery picture is so fun for kids.
Easy Baby/Toddler Valentine’s Day Art
A simple and easy art project that uses multiple types of materials that kids can have fun with. The use of glitter is an added bonus for kids.
Symmetrical Smoosh Hearts
This is a classic for a reason! Each one is different and is so fun to make – and your kids will love their symmetrical prints.
Valentine’s Day Creative Table
A great way to encourage independent play and creativity: set out a bunch of supplies and let kids craft away.
Valentine’s Wreath
This craft can be made in under 10 minutes and uses supplies that you either have around the house or can easily get from the Dollar Store.
Wet on Wet Watercolor Hearts
One of the most beautiful projects and uses simple materials. This technique (wet on wet painting) is so cool. Every heart is beautiful!
Cookie Cutter Painting
A fun and creative way to introduce a fun new painting tool! It’s a bit messy but honestly not much more than a normal painting activity with toddlers.
Valentine’s Day Sun Catcher
Glitter, sequins, and tissue paper oh my! This fun and easy sun catcher will be project that all kids will enjoy making.
Simple Heart Craft for Toddlers
This is simple for kids of all ages and turns out beautiful no matter what. Also, great fine motor and coordination practice with the use of eye droppers.
Scrunched Tissue Paper Hearts
Grab your tissue paper and get crumpling! This art activity is adorable and a great fine motor skills work out.
DIY Heart Stamps
Attach a foam heart to a clothes pin and you have a fun new stamping tool! These would be cute to use to make Valentine’s Day cards or even a beautiful art piece.
Fingerprint Heart Rocks
Oh my gosh these are ADORABLE! Can you imagine a bunch in your garden to look at over the year? So cute!
Valentine Heart Button Craft
Grab your button collection and let’s get to it: this is some unique, fun art. (You can buy buttons in bulk and find them out the Dollar Store – they are a great random supply to own).
Heart Shaped Binoculars
With a little patience you can turn circular toilet paper rolls into hearts and create these adorable binoculars. Take them out on a hunt and see what your kiddo can find.
Concentric Hearts
Such an easy project that kids of all ages can be successful! Grab some watercolors and pastels and let your kid create hearts until their heart is content.
Frequently Ask Questions
Honestly, just about everything on this list would make an amazing Valentine’s day keepsake for a grandparent. Think of putting the art on a card and sending it in the mail.
I started on holiday art when my toddler was 2. The two-year-old holidays were the first that he understood something fun was happening and wanted to be involved.
That is going to depend on the child and the same most of all, but personally, my favorites are the scrunched tissue paper project and the overlapping heart art.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.3 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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