The Best (and Simplest) Valentine’s Day Activity For Kids

Friends, I have THE easiest Valentine’ss Day craft, activity, decorating idea all rolled into to one to share with you. When you hear it, you’ll say something to the affect of “duh”, and maybe even wonder why I’d write a whole blog post about it. But then when you do it with your kids, you will all enjoy it so much, so easily, you might want to send me one to send me one in thanks! Really.

I had been planning on sharing this post for awhile, and a conversation in the pick up line at preschool reminded me just how universally this could be enjoyed. One of the moms had searched everywhere for Valentine’s Day decorations, but after checking several stores, she had found next to nothing. Well, this idea is cheap, will keep you from running around, and can be enjoyed by almost all ages, and will help channel your children’s creativity in decorating for VD.

This craft is so easy and straightforward. It almost can’t even be called a craft. It’s paper hearts (decorating optional.) But the magic here lies in the second part, the placing of the hearts around, which is what makes it great for even the littlest toddling babes. It’s as simple as could be, but it’s also great because it can become as creative as you and your kids want to make it.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Craft paper
2. scissors
3. tape (Seriously, I told you it was simple.)

You can even do it sitting on the floor, like I did (or wherever else you choose. Like the couch 😉). It was born out of the sheer exhaustion of being eight months pregnant and having a 2 year old who wanted action and activity, and I just wanted to sit down. (Her younger sibling was well on its way to being over eight pounds and I was tiiiiiirrrred 😂😂).

It was close to Valentines Day, so I grabbed some pink and red craft paper and a pair of scissors that only I could use. My daughter was young, so she looked on as I sat there and cut out a heart, free hand. (She was fascinating. That is interesting enough right there for some little ones!).

I then rolled a piece of tape onto itself, and put it on the back. I passed the heart to my little toddler and let her put it anywhere she wanted. She would then carry it to a random spot in the house, one she obviously thought needed a little Valentine love. (I’m pretty low key, so there wasn’t anything I was really worried about getting some tape and a heart on. If you are, you might want to keep the activity contained to a safe corner, playroom, or even just a closet door.)

She would place a heart, toddle back over for the next one. Fun on repeat. My house was soon covered in cute pink and red hearts, with very minimal effort from me. It was an explosion of love! It caused her SO MUCH JOY to watch the world around her be slowly beautified by her own efforts.

Seeing those hearts brought me so much joy too. So much that they stayed up for months, ad a few might have stayed up for years. In fact, I still have two on a picture frame and I smile every time that I see them.

The magic is in the scattering of paper hearts around your house. We jut did it again, with the little brother who’s now two years old. It was just as much fun again and didn’t even decorate yet.

Here are a few notes and considerations…

* Obviously, keep the scissors away from your littlest ones.

*If you do have preschoolers, trace the hearts and let them try cutting them out.

*Let your preschooler try their hand at patterns or designs if they have been working on those skills. It’s a really fun way to practice!

*Free form is also great. Let them take you on a tour afterward and show you all of the fun or silly places they were put.

* You can use any color paper that you want. White hearts would also be beautiful!

*Add stickers, use crayons and markers. (Also best for the easiest cleanup.)

*Venture into paints, glitter, and glue if you’re more adventurous. (In which case, hopefully, they’re old enough to help you vacuum.)

**You could also pass a few of those beauties of to grandparents, teachers, or other family members. Share the love.

Since my kids didn’t even decorate yet, we might revisit another day still. (You know, fun on repeat!😉).

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, why don’t you give it a try with your kids. Seriously, if you have a toddler, it is the easiest, most mess-free Valentine activity you could ever do. It’s not new or genius. It’s stupid simple and easy. It’s creative and yet not very fussy. It offers a great return on your time investment.

It’s big on love and self expression.

That’s my kind of project 😊😊

Let your kids scatter a whole bunch of love around your corner of the world today. Let me know how it goes. ❤️