Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that sneaks up on you—and suddenly, your kids need cards for a classroom swap, daycare, or to give to loved ones. The purpose is sweet, and as my son and daughter get older, I really love seeing them get excited about days like these, but it doesn’t need to be a whole production. That's why I prefer something simple, like a free printable Valentine's day card.
My IG algorithm has already moved to some over-the-top Valentine’s projects. Which is great if that works for you! But I’m also here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. My go-to has become a good free printable—since it’s such an easy way for kids to create their own thoughtful, fun Valentine’s without it being stressy. Print, let the kids decorate, and you’re set.
Below, I’m sharing my favorite printable Valentines craft this year, plus a few simple ways to make it feel extra special (if you’re in the mood for it).
The easiest free printable Valentine’s Day card for kids
To get this printable valentine, download and send to your printer!
Printable heart Valentine craft
I use the term “craft” loosely here, but this printable is such a sweet and simple way for kids to share their thoughts and feelings with loved ones. It’s perfect for giving to your partner, grandparents, their bestie, or the teachers and caregivers in their lives.
The design includes three hearts, each with a sentence starter:
- I love you because…
- You make me smile when…
- I feel happy when we…
For toddlers, you can ask them the prompts and write down their answers, or let them draw pictures to share their ideas. Then, they can color in the hearts or decorate the margins. Older kids can write their answers themselves (kid spelling totally welcome, IMO!).
I love how flexible this is—it’s meaningful, creative, and works for any age. Plus, it’s so low prep for parents but feels thoughtful and personal for the recipient. I can already see these Valentine’s being saved as keepsakes.
Materials needed:
- Download and print the heart message template (I recommend using white cardstock).
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils for decorating.
- Optional: stickers or stamps for extra flair.
Steps to create the card:
- Print the heart message template.
- Have your child complete the sentence starters with drawings or written answers, helping as needed.
- Let them color in the hearts and the surrounding space on the page.
- Deliver as is or pair with a small gift.
Low-effort activities to pair with your Valentine’s Day cards
Yes, this is a Valentine's blog about the kids—but my pro tip here? Pick a night, and after the kids are in bed, treat yourself. Queue up a Valentine’s-themed movie, make some popcorn, pour a glass of wine, and scroll through the activities below to choose one or two. Order your supplies right from your phone and feel good knowing you’ve got a plan in place for your little ones. It’s a little way to romanticize your life—and February feels like the best time for it.
And want to take it a step further? Treat yourself to something special or send your significant other a fun text with a Valentine’s gift idea you’d love. You deserve it, mama!
Now here are those fun, low-lift activities to look over:
Bake and decorate heart-shaped cookies
Grab a pack of pre-cut sugar cookie dough from the grocery store. Roll it out with a rolling pin and let your kids help cut out heart shapes with cookie cutters—just make sure the dough isn’t too thin so the cookies hold their shape.
Here are some great toppings to have on hand:
- Valentine’s Day-themed or colored sprinkles
- Mini M&Ms or pastel conversation hearts
- Pre-made icing tubes for easy decorating (red, white)
Make red or pink playdough
Make homemade playdough in red or pink and let your kids create heart-shaped designs using cookie cutters (the same ones you used for cookies work perfectly!). It’s a fun sensory activity that keeps little hands busy without much prep.
Steps to create playdough:
- Mix 2 cups of flour, 1 cup of salt, and 1 cup of water. Add a few drops of red or pink food coloring (optional: add glitter for extra sparkle if you’re feeling fancy).
- Knead until smooth and soft (add more flour if it’s sticky).
- Use cookie cutters or let kids sculpt their own creations.
Host a Valentine’s Day card exchange
Invite a few friends over and let the kids swap cards, play, and enjoy some Valentine fun. Pair it with easy snacks, like Valentine’s trail mix (try this one or this one), fruit, crackers, and juice boxes for the kids, and wine, cheese and crackers for the adults. Keep things simple and fun.
Last winter, I hosted a 4 pm meetup with some friends and their kids for Christmas. It was low key and so much fun—just fuss-free crafts, drinks and food. You could easily recreate this idea for Valentine’s Day, adding a card swap to make it even more special. And while you’re planning this, send out a group message to your friends and start planning a fun Galentine’s Day—you’ll be so glad you did.
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