
Love them or hate them, Valentine’s Day cards are a childhood staple. Many of us remember Valentine’s Day parties at school, passing out Valentine’s Day cards and hoping that our secret crush loved our picks (while also hoping they also gave us a card!).
We’re huge advocates of moms and parents doing everything they can to make their lives easier, so if store-bought Valentine’s Day cards are all you can manage this year, we say embrace it.
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But if crafting and creating alongside your kids makes your heart soar, we found some wonderful Valentine’s Day cards you can make together. We have everything from free printables to fish-inspired cards to classic lollipop options.
Here are 10 creative Valentine’s Day cards for kids to bring to class or pass out to their friends.
Fish in the Sea

Is your child obsessed with marine life? Then this cute idea from Dagmar’s Home will make the perfect Valentine’s Day card for them. The card is a pun, playing on the double meaning of the word “school.”
You can find the full tutorial at Dagmar’s Home, but essentially, you also can create your own version of the fish valentine by cutting blue, scalloped paper for the water, adding Swedish fish, and topping it all off in a treat bag with red and white twine.
Pop-Up Valentine's Day Card

In life when things pop up that are unexpected, it is not always a pleasant experience. Zits, unplanned visitors, and flat tires are examples of a bad time. The same principle does not hold true in a Valentine’s Day card.
Instead, pop-up cards are a fun crowd-pleasing surprise. Lovely Indeed‘s tutorial will help you and your tween make some of your own. This one is best for kids in fifth grade and older as it requires using a craft knife under adult supervision.
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Candy-Free Crayon

Whether it’s a classroom request or just a personal preference, there are plenty of candy-free Valentine’s Day card options. For instance, this fun idea gifts creative kids a crayon, and as a bonus, it also teaches recycling.
Wood Lark Blog’s tutorial will teach you how to turn broken crayons and shavings into a fun, new coloring tool all while sending a sweet sentiment to their classmates.
Won't You Bee Mine?

If your kiddo wants to ask someone to “bee” theirs, this Red Ted Art tutorial will walk you through the process. We love that this Valentine’s Day card craft is pretty simple, even for younger kids. All you need is some cardstock, glue, and paper scraps to make it happen.
But if you have older or more ambitious kids, the tutorial also includes some fun bonus ideas, such as pop-up designs, layers, or adding kid-approved googly eyes.
Love Monster

Inspired by the book Love Monster by Rachel Bright, this tutorial from Red Ted Art brings silly (not spooky) monsters to life for little valentines. The book reminds readers that love can find you when you least expect it.
If your kids are fans of the monster cards, they can also upgrade to more interactive versions, like a pop-up design, or craft their own creatures.
Free Printable Valentine's Day Cards

Life is busy. Sometimes you just don’t have the time to do a big project with your little one but still want to create a more personal and special card. Enter: your printer.
Fortunately, for the craft-averse among us, several free, printable Valentine’s Day cards exist. For instance, But First We Craft uses fruit in its offering, while animal lovers will go ape for this DLTK version, and Sarah Titus has options inspired by sweet treats.
Lollipop, Lollipop

This Valentine’s Day card requires a photo shoot, but we promise it will be fun. Thank goodness we have cameras on us at all times these days. Snapfish’s tutorial explains how to take a picture of your child posed as if they are holding something.
With the right angle and an X-Acto knife, the card can come to life by placing a real lollipop over the photo. This creative idea offers a sugar rush with a personal touch.
Valentine’s Day Heart Cards

With this Valentine’s Day card, we are keeping it old school. Everything comes back into style eventually, right? It is time to bust out those lace heart doilies, watercolors, colored pencils, and help your child make hearts to share with their school friends.
It wasn’t so long ago you were in their shoes. Let the nostalgia wash over you with this tutorial from Alice & Lois.
Robot Valentines

This one is for all those Wild Robot fans out there. Crafts by Amanda is going to help you create an adorable robot friend to share a sweet message. Instead of metal and screws, you and your child will use construction paper, glue, scissors, and glitter to create some robots.
Applesauce Pouch Valentines

Moms know how useful those squeezable applesauce snack packs are, and this Valentine’s Day card celebrates the beloved childhood snack in a fun way. Occasions by Shakira has all the details, including a free printable and where to buy pink-and-white pouches for a festive touch.
Another bonus other than the convenience? It can be budget- and allergen-friendly for a school classroom.
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