Preschoolers learn best through play, and any holiday is a good opportunity to engage in activities that are both fun and educational. Valentine’s Day is a particular favorite with preschool educators with decorations that are cute, colorful, and sweet.

Teachers and parents can engage young children in crafts that are fun, simple to make, and can teach about shapes, colors, and numbers. This article focuses on simple crafts that involve all the things preschoolers love: glue, glitter, finger paints, and much more. Besides getting to create (and in some cases, eat) something fun, young kids will also engage their fine motor skills. When done in school, they can take them home as a keepsake that can be hung up and enjoyed for years to come.

Here are a few suggestions for parents and teachers to engage the minds of young ones this Valentine’s Day. Keep in mind that most preschool-aged children will need supervision when making crafts, both for safety reasons and to avoid making a mess!

DIY Heart Stamp Art

This is a fun project that is very simple, but engaging and creative enough for young children to enjoy. At your local craft store, you can purchase heart-shaped stamps, with ink in a variety of colors. This activity can be both fun and educational if you have your preschooler decorate the letters of their name with the heart stamp or decorate a certain number. This allows kids to engage the creative side of their brains while also learning a lesson in spelling and counting.

Decorate A Frame

Using a blank frame, have your child decorate it in any way they want with Valentine-themed stamps, stickers, red and pink paints, or whatever else they can think of. Being Valentine’s Day, parents can put a picture in it that symbolizes love: perhaps a recent family photo, a portrait of Grandma, or the family pet.

Candy Craft Hearts

Candy hearts aren’t just for eating! Using foam letters from a craft store (could be X’s and O’s for “hugs and kisses,” or the child’s initials), have your preschooler glue candy hearts onto it. They may try to eat them but try to save most of them for the project (and beware of especially small children around something that can be a choking hazard).

Heart-Shaped Bird Feeder

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than to engage in a craft that teaches children to appreciate wildlife? Handmade bird feeders are a great way to be crafty and educational. Using pine cones dipped in peanut butter and birdseed, or making your birdseed muffins, kids can make their feeders while learning all about Florida’s native birds. The magic happens once you hang them on a tree outside and watch the birds devour their favorite new treat.

Coffee Filter Suncatchers

Coffee filters are a common household item that can be used for lots of creative purposes other than making coffee. Start by folding a coffee filter in half and cutting it to make a heart shape. Your preschooler can then color the filter however they wish. Then, lightly spray the filter with a spray bottle of water and allow it to dry naturally. Kids will be entertained by watching the colors spread (which allows for a possible science lesson).

Once dry, they can be hung up with tape or string in front of a window. Watch the sun shine through and be amazed!

Recycled Seed Paper Heart Valentines

Engage in a fun Valentine’s activity and engage with nature at the same time. Using seed paper cut into hearts, these can be planted either in the ground or in a pot. Have your preschooler water it every day (teaching age-appropriate responsibility for a living thing) and watch the flowers grow in time. Seed paper can also be given as a cute gift by attaching it to a handmade card and giving it to someone.

Heart Friendship Bracelets

A timeless, classic way of showing affection for another, friendship bracelets never go out of style. Preschoolers can make these to give their friends in class or keep for themselves. Using clear, stretchy wire, have kids string colorful beads (be sure to measure the string according to wrist size, and secure one end with a piece of tape to keep the beads from falling off). Be sure to leave enough room to tie the ends of the string in a firm double knot. Use a dab of glue on the knot to keep it secure.

Valentine’s Kids Craft Popsicle Stick Frame

Highlight a child’s drawing or school photo with a handmade popsicle frame. Whether you want to purchase the popsicle sticks from a craft store or collect them yourself after eating popsicles is up to you. You’ll need a glue gun and paint to put the frame together and decorate it. This is one craft that parents will hold onto for a long time.

Pipe Cleaner Beading Heart Decorations

Children can put large beads into pipe cleaners, which can then be bent in the shape of a heart. This simple project is a great way to sharpen those motor skills and look adorable when hung up as decorations.

Make And Decorate Valentine’s-Themed Cookies

Another timeless activity for any holiday or occasion. Shape your favorite cookie dough into hearts and decorate with frosting and other candies after they cool.

Crafts For Preschoolers And More At Inspiring Minds Preschool

Inspiring Minds Preschool is one of South Florida’s top choices for early childhood education. Our small class sizes allow for individualized attention and focus on your child’s unique needs. Our staff is committed to helping children develop a strong love of learning and self-confidence, which will serve them well throughout their educational careers.

To learn more about our preschool program, call us today at 954-933-2982. Qualifying families may be eligible for financial aid.