45+ Creative Valentine’s Day Crafts For Elementary Students

Valentine’s Day crafts for elementary students are a delightful way to celebrate the holiday while fostering creativity, teamwork, and fine motor skills. These hands-on activities typically involve simple materials like paper, glue, markers, and scissors, making them easy and budget-friendly. Popular projects include making heartfelt cards, crafting paper flowers, designing friendship bracelets, and creating decorations like heart garlands. These crafts not only teach kids about the importance of expressing love and kindness but also provide an engaging way to explore art and develop a sense of accomplishment.

Cute Valentine’s Day Photo Frames

Craft decorative frames for cherished memories.

Materials:

• Cardboard
• Paint
• Decorative stickers
• Glue
• Photo or drawing

Steps:

1. Cut cardboard into a frame shape.
2. Paint and decorate the frame with stickers and embellishments.
3. Attach a photo or drawing to the back of the frame.

Colorful Button Heart Art

Create textured art using buttons.

Materials:

• Canvas or thick paper
• Buttons (various colors and sizes)
• Glue

Steps:

1. Draw a heart shape on the canvas.
2. Fill the heart with buttons, arranging them creatively.
3. Glue each button in place

Handmade Pinecone Bird Feeders

Help feathered friends during the winter months by making pinecone bird feeders.

Materials Used:

• Pinecones
• Peanut butter or vegetable shortening
• Birdseed
• Ribbon or string

Steps:

1. Tie a ribbon or string to the top of a pinecone to create a hanger.
2. Spread peanut butter or vegetable shortening all over the pinecone using a butter knife or spoon.
3. Roll the coated pinecone in birdseed until it’s fully covered.
4. Hang the bird feeder on a tree outside and watch as birds come to visit.

Cute Tissue Paper Heart Collage

Encourage creativity with vibrant tissue paper collages.

Materials:

• Tissue paper (various colors)
• Cardstock or construction paper
• Glue

Steps:

1. Cut tissue paper into small squares or tear it into pieces.
2. Draw a large heart shape on cardstock.
3. Fill the heart with tissue paper pieces, gluing them down as desired.

Small Heart-Shaped Paper Wreath

Introduce the joy of decorating with a colorful heart-shaped wreath that can brighten any space.

Materials:

• Colored paper (red, pink, white)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• String or ribbon

Steps:

1. Cut out multiple heart shapes in various sizes from the colored paper.
2. Create a large ring-shaped base using sturdy cardstock or cardboard.
3. Arrange the hearts around the ring, overlapping them slightly.
4. Glue each heart in place until the entire ring is covered.
5. Attach a string or ribbon to the top for hanging.

Valentine’s Day Friendship Bracelets

Encourage students to make thoughtful gifts for their friends with colorful bracelets.

Materials:

• Yarn or embroidery thread (various colors)
• Beads (optional)
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut three equal lengths of thread and knot them together at one end.
2. Tape the knotted end to the table for stability.
3. Braid the threads together, adding beads at intervals if desired.
4. Once the desired length is reached, tie a knot at the other end.
5. Trim excess thread and tie the bracelet around a friend’s wrist.

Cute Heart-Shaped Sun Catchers

Add some Valentine’s sparkle to windows with colorful sun catchers.

Materials:

• Wax paper
• Crayons (peeled)
• Pencil sharpener
• Iron
• Scissors
• String

Steps:

1. Use a pencil sharpener to create crayon shavings in various colors.
2. Spread the shavings onto a sheet of wax paper.
3. Cover with another sheet of wax paper.
4. Carefully iron over the paper (under adult supervision) to melt the shavings.
5. Once cooled, cut out heart shapes and punch a hole at the top.
6. Attach a string and hang in a sunny window.

Popsicle Stick Love Bugs

Craft adorable love bugs from popsicle sticks!

Materials:

• Popsicle sticks
• Paint
• Googly eyes
• Pipe cleaners
• Glue

Steps:

1. Paint the popsicle sticks in bright Valentine’s colors.
2. Attach googly eyes at one end of the stick.
3. Twist pipe cleaners into antennae shapes and glue them to the back of the stick.
4. Decorate with small heart cutouts or stickers.

Fingerprint Heart Cards

Create heartfelt cards using unique fingerprint designs.

Materials:

• Blank cards or cardstock
• Washable ink pads
• Markers or pens

Steps:

1. Fold cardstock into card shapes.
2. Dip fingertips into the ink and press them onto the card to create heart shapes.
3. Add personalized messages and designs with markers.

Small Cupcake Liner Flowers

Turn ordinary cupcake liners into beautiful Valentine’s flowers.

Materials:

• Cupcake liners
• Green pipe cleaners
• Buttons or beads
• Glue

Steps:

1. Flatten a cupcake liner and fold it into quarters.
2. Snip the edges to create petal shapes.
3. Open the liner and glue a button or bead in the center.
4. Attach a green pipe cleaner to the back as the stem.

Love Monster Bookmarks

Make reading fun with cute monster-themed bookmarks.

 

Materials:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• Markers

Steps:

1. Cut a square piece of paper and fold it diagonally.
2. Fold the corners inward to form a pocket shape.
3. Decorate the pocket with googly eyes and marker-drawn monster features.

Winter Hat Garland

Create a fun and cozy garland featuring mini winter hats to decorate your home.

Materials Used:

• Yarn in various colors
• Cardboard tubes (toilet paper rolls)
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut the cardboard tubes into small rings about 1 inch wide.
2. Cut yarn into strands about 10 inches long.
3. Fold each piece of yarn in half, loop it through a cardboard ring, and pull tight.
4. Repeat until the ring is fully covered with yarn.
5. Gather the loose ends of the yarn and tie them together, forming the top of the hat. Trim the excess yarn to make a pom-pom.
6. String the hats together to create a garland.

Valentine’s Day Paper Chain Garland

A simple yet festive craft to decorate classrooms or homes.

Materials:

• Colored paper
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Steps:

1. Cut strips of paper in Valentine’s colors.
2. Form the first strip into a loop and glue or tape the ends together.
3. Thread the next strip through the loop and secure it into a second loop.
4. Continue until the chain reaches the desired length.

Cotton Ball Snowman

Build a fluffy snowman using cotton balls for a soft and cuddly craft.

Materials Used:

• Cotton balls
• Glue
• Construction paper
• Googly eyes
• Markers
• Felt or fabric scraps

Steps:

1. Draw a large snowman outline on construction paper.
2. Glue cotton balls onto the outline, covering the entire shape.
3. Add googly eyes, a fabric scarf, and felt buttons to decorate the snowman.
4. Use markers to add details like arms, a mouth, and a carrot nose.

Paper Plate Penguins

Make adorable penguins using paper plates and a few craft supplies.

Materials Used:

• Paper plates
• Black paint or construction paper
• White and orange construction paper
• Googly eyes
• Glue

Steps:

1. Paint the outer edge of a paper plate black or cover it with black paper.
2. Cut a white oval for the penguin’s belly and glue it to the center.
3. Cut orange paper into a triangle for the beak and small ovals for the feet.
4. Add googly eyes above the belly.
5. Let it dry and display your penguin proudly.

Felt Mittens Banner

Craft a cozy banner with mini felt mittens to brighten your space.

Materials Used:

• Felt sheets in various colors
• Scissors
• Ribbon or twine
• Fabric glue
• Decorative items (pom-poms, sequins, buttons)

Steps:

1. Draw and cut out mitten shapes from felt sheets.
2. Decorate the mittens with pom-poms, buttons, or sequins using fabric glue.
3. Attach the mittens to a ribbon or twine using small clothespins or glue.
4. Hang the banner on a wall or mantle for a festive look.

Marshmallow Snowflakes

Build edible snowflakes with marshmallows for a fun and tasty winter craft.

Materials Used:

• Mini marshmallows
• Toothpicks

Steps:

1. Use a toothpick to connect marshmallows, forming the center of the snowflake.
2. Add more marshmallows and toothpicks to build out the snowflake’s arms.
3. Repeat until you have a symmetrical snowflake.
4. Display your creation or enjoy it as a treat!

Sock Snowmen

Transform old socks into charming snowmen that are perfect for winter decor.

Materials Used:

• White socks
• Rice or stuffing
• Rubber bands
• Buttons
• Fabric scraps
• Glue

Steps:

1. Fill a white sock with rice or stuffing, leaving enough space to tie it closed.
2. Use rubber bands to divide the sock into a large base and a smaller head.
3. Glue buttons onto the base and add fabric scraps as a scarf.
4. Use small pieces of fabric to create a hat and glue it onto the snowman’s head.
5. Draw or glue on facial features to finish the snowman.

Handprint Mittens

Personalize a pair of winter mittens with handprints, turning a simple craft into a keepsake.

Materials Used:

• Construction paper in various colors
• Paint or markers
• Cotton balls
• Glue
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Trace your child’s hand on a piece of colored construction paper and cut out two hand shapes.
2. Use markers or paint to decorate the mittens with patterns like stripes or polka dots.
3. Glue cotton balls around the wrist area to create the fluffy cuff of the mitten.
4. Display the handprint mittens as unique winter decorations.

Paper Plate Snow Globes

Create your own snow globe using simple paper plates and a lot of imagination.

Materials Used:

• Paper plates
• Clear plastic sheet or transparency paper
• Glitter
• Winter-themed stickers or cutouts
• Glue
• Scissors

Steps:

1. Cut a circle in the middle of one paper plate, leaving a border.
2. Glue a clear plastic sheet to cover the cut-out circle from behind.
3. Decorate the inside of another paper plate with winter-themed stickers, drawings, and glitter.
4. Attach the two plates together, with the decorated side visible through the plastic.
5. Shake your snow globe for a sparkling effect!

Winter Wonderland Diorama

Build a miniature winter scene with a box diorama, allowing kids to showcase their creativity.

Materials Used:

• Shoebox
• White paint or cotton balls
• Miniature winter figurines or homemade cutouts
• Glue
• Glitter

Steps:

1. Paint the inside of the shoebox white or cover it with cotton balls to create a snowy background.
2. Add glitter for sparkle and stick miniature trees or figurines in place.
3. Create a snowman or house out of construction paper and glue it into the diorama.
4. Display your winter wonderland on a shelf.

Sock Snowman

Use an old sock to make an adorable snowman that’s soft and squishy.

Materials Used:

• White sock
• Rice or stuffing material
• Rubber bands
• Buttons
• Fabric scraps

Steps:

1. Fill a white sock with rice or stuffing, leaving room to tie the top.
2. Use rubber bands to section off a head and body.
3. Add buttons, a fabric scarf, and a tiny hat made from another piece of fabric.
4. Use markers to draw a cute snowman face.

Glitter Icicles

Add some sparkle to your winter décor by crafting glittery icicles to hang around the house.

Materials Used:

• Wax paper
• Clear glue
• Glitter
• String

Steps:

1. Spread glue in long, thin lines on a piece of wax paper, varying the lengths to resemble icicles.
2. Sprinkle glitter over the glue and let it dry completely.
3. Peel the icicles off the wax paper and attach a string for hanging.
4. Decorate windows or trees with your glittery icicles.

Penguin Puppets

Make adorable penguin puppets that kids can use for playtime or storytelling.

Materials Used:

• Black and white felt or paper
• Glue
• Googly eyes
• Orange construction paper
• Popsicle sticks

Steps:

1. Cut out a penguin body from black felt or paper, and a white oval for the belly.
2. Glue the belly onto the penguin’s body.
3. Add googly eyes and an orange triangle for the beak.
4. Attach a popsicle stick to the back for a puppet handle.