10 Simple Homemade Valentine Card Ideas
Kids of all ages enjoy making Valentine's cards to give to family and friends. I think that the reason that I really love letting our kids make cards is because I want them to understand that making things… from the heart… means more than buying. A thoughtful gift does not have to be an expensive gift. If they can learn this little lessons early on, they will have a happier life, enjoying the simple things (like a homemade card). 🙂
Homemade valentines can be as simple or elaborate as you want them to be, depending on the supplies you have available. Younger children will need an adults help, but working together to create a unique card is part of the fun that you and your kids can share this Valentines Day.
Here are some SIMPLE DIY Valentines day card ideas for kids to make
Gather all your supplies before getting started.
MATERIALS:
If you want to make a basic card, all you need are scissors, paper, crayons, and markers. If you have any extra items such as stickers, glitter, glue, string, feathers, vellum paper, pictures, and paints, then you should include those to add to your child's creativity.
PREPARE THE AREA:
Lay down newspapers or a plastic table cloth to protect your surface or floor and set all the items out. Inform your child that they will need to keep all their supplies on the newspapers or plastic. Dress them in play clothes or clothes you don't mind getting messy.
TIME TO GET STARTED…
1. Card Ideas for Toddlers
When crafting with toddlers, the simpler the craft the better. A very easy Valentines Day card that you can help your toddler make is a cut-out heart with their name on it or the name of the recipient. If you have glitter and glue, the more fun your toddler will have. Use pink or red construction paper and cut the heart out for your child.
Using liquid glue such as Elmer's school glue, help them write the name of the person they want to give their card to or if they prefer, write their own name. Next, let them pour glitter onto the glue ñ your child will love this part ñ and then gently shake off the excess. While you wait for the glue to dry, make another one.
Card Ideas for Preschoolers and Kindergarteners
This mouse heart is a popular card idea used in many preschools because it helps to develop fine motor skills and is a cute card to give to loved ones. You'll need scissors, construction paper, glue, googly eyes, chenille pipe cleaners, yarn, pom-poms, and markers.
Start by cutting a large heart out of construction paper and three smaller hearts out of another color of construction paper. Set the small hearts aside for now. Fold the large heart in half. The pointed end will be the mouse's nose.
Cut a string of yarn about six inches in length. Glue it inside the fold at the back end of the mouse. This will be the mouses tail. Glue one of the smaller hearts onto the end of the string.
Next, glue or tape the folded large heart together so it doesn't come open. While working on one side of the mouse, glue a google eye near the pointed end and behind that, glue one of the smaller hearts. This heart will represent the mouse's ear. Glue a pom-pom on for the mouse's nose and cut off 1-inch lengths of the chenille pipe cleaner for the whiskers. Glue those on and wait for this side to dry. Once it is dry, flip the mouse over and complete the other side. Your child now has a creative heart mouse card to give to someone special.
These SHOW LOVE cards are super cute, too!
Card Ideas for Elementary-Aged Children
Elementary children are very creative and many times all you have to do is set out crafts supplies and let them do the rest. Let your child explore their creativity by supplying them with materials and see what they come up with for unique Valentines Day cards. However, if you'd like to instruct them with some ideas, children at this age are eager to learn.
Vintage Valentines Cards
Before your child gets started, there are a few things you'll need to prepare ahead of time. First, you'll need to print out some vintage Valentines Day pictures that you can find online. Next, you'll need to make a card from construction paper by folding it in half.
After that, cut a heart out of the front page by pinching the front page in half and cutting a half heart. This heart-opening should be the same size as your printed image. Glue or tape the image onto the inside of the front page. The image should appear through the heart opening.
Now its time for kid creativity. Give the card to your child to do the rest. Depending on your child's age, they may need help spelling words or adding decorations. Be nearby to help them.
If you like that idea, this one is great, too! 
Pop-Up Cards
The pop-up card will never go out of style and kids always think this is very cool. Start with making a card by folding your paper in half. Decorate the front as your child desires and when it's finished, begin with the inside. You'll need a strip of construction paper that is five inches long and one-half inch wide. It actually doesn't have to be that precise because you can just eyeball it. Fold it up like an accordion.
Next, cut out a heart shape that is smaller than the card and will fit inside.
Write I Love You or Be Mine or whatever your child chooses on one side of the heart. Glue one end of the accordion strip onto the back of the heart. Glue the other end of the accordion strip onto the right-hand side of the inside of the card. When it is all dried, press down the heart and close the card. When you open it, the heart will pop up.
You can even make a pop-up air ballon card in the same way! So many ideas!
Handprint Paintings
If you want to use different art techniques on the front side of your Valentines Day card, try to let your child put a unique touch on your card. Not only will your child be creating one-of-a-kind cards, but he or she will also learn new ways to incorporate different styles of art into their crafts. I have always loved painting.
Let your child use their handprint as the masterpiece. A cute note like "Give me a high five, Valentine" written over a handprint can be the perfect type of card!
Salt and Watercolor
A salt and watercolor picture makes for a truly interesting cover for a valentine. You'll need paper, watercolors, paintbrushes, and salt. Guide your child to paint with watercolors on the cover of the card. Before it dries, give your child salt to sprinkle all over the painting. When the painting is dried, the card will have a textured image. Your child may decide to draw more pictures or write words on the card using markers or leave it as it is.
Use Unique Materials
Assorted shapes of pasta are always fun for little fingers to play with and include in crafty decorations. Some pasta can be bought in different colors, but if you want to make pasta in your own choice of colors, it is very easy to do.
Pour a fourth of a cup of vinegar into a zippered sandwich bag. Add a few drops of food coloring. Next, add the pasta and close the bag tightly. Shake vigorously and then put on rubber gloves. Scoop the pasta out onto wax paper and let it dry completely before using it.
Textured rubbings are easy for children of all ages. If you have different variations of sandpaper on hand, you can help your child create a very cool card. Cut out hearts from the sandpaper and place under your paper. Use a crayon to rub back and forth over the paper to show the textured shape of the heart.
Double Drawing
Double drawing is an interesting way to add an element of design to your handmade valentines. You can use crayons, colored pencils or markers for this project. After you choose which media you want to use, tape two of them together, side-by-side. When your child draws on the paper, there will be double lines. Use the same colors or mixed colors for different effects.
Crafting your own handmade Valentines Day cards is a fun way to help your child express his or her creativity while both of you bond. These cards are so unique and thoughtful that everyone who receives them will love and treasure them.
Try these Galaxy Crayon Valentines, too!
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