Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and these days that means something a little different than it did when most of us were kids. While store-bought cards with characters from books and TV shows used to be the norm, the major trend now is to get more personal and handcraft valentines at home. More and more moms and dads are helping their kids DIY custom cards to hand out to their friends at school, and there sure are some insanely cute ideas out there!
There are tons of cute card options at the store, since many of the big brands have hopped on the Pinterest train and tried to make their wares look a little more handmade. But for parents who truly want to make their very own cards from scratch, it can hard to narrow down exactly what to do. And it's even harder to keep coming up with unique ideas year after year. Luckily, CafeMom knows the struggle is real, and we're here to help.
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Here, we've rounded up some of the cutest, cleverest, and most creative DIY valentines from around the Internet. Some include sweets, and some are non-candy treats. But all of them have that little special something that makes them stand out from the rest. Even better — these simple crafts won't come out looking like a glitter factory exploded next door to the glue factory! They're simple enough that kids can do most of the work (if not all)!
Glowing Cupid Arrow Valentines
Is there a kid in the world who doesn't love glow sticks? If so, we haven't found them. These glow stick valentines from scrumdilly-do! turn them into adorable Cupid hearts, and they're super cheap to make!
'Chews' Love
If the way to an elementary schooler's heart is through gum, then these bubble gum valentines may as well be Cupid's arrows. Blogger Lindi of Love the Day even sells the tags, so parents don't have to make their own.
The Fish Bowl of Love
The fish bowl card dreamed up by Melanie of Bliss Bloom Blog is easy to make and uses snacks that we're all definitely buying already. Plus, as Melanie notes, it even stands up by itself! The printable and tutorial are available on the site.
Wooden 'Be Mine' Valentines
Most Valentine's Day cards are made of paper and end up in the recycling bin the next day, but these adorable wooden valentines from Eclectic Chica will last forever! Even better? They double as a fun and funky necklace!
Make My Heart Bounce Valentines
Got a line on some cheap super balls? These Make My Heart Bounce valentines are super easy to make, and will provide hours of entertainment. The Crafting Chicks even have a free printable for the bags.
Painted Newspaper Heart Valentines
Parents who are big on recycling will love these valentines from You Are My Fave that actually make use of old newspaper to create colorful cards for a kiddo's friends. It could be a brilliant way to recycle old artwork, too. Just saying.
I 'Mustache' a Question, Valentine
Detachable mustaches that your kids' friends can pop on their own faces are what make these mustache valentines so much fun, and believe it or not, these are cheap to make! Momma D and Da Boyz has it down to just 25 cents a card!
Think Outside the (Sand) Box
Kids love kinetic sand, which is why the mom behind Smart School House came up with an easy way to dole it out for Valentine's Day using little plastic cups and free printable labels. It's a surefire hit, and it gives a way to channel their energy into playing, instead of crashing later from a sugar rush.
Love Bug Valentines
It's a little cold to go out and collect bugs in a jar in most areas of the country, but these love bug valentines bring summertime fun to the February holiday. Blogger Dandee even offers up free printables to make these at home!
XOXO Valentines
Parents can teach their kids some simple sewing techniques and make their valentines in one fell swoop with these sweet cards from Fancy Little Things. They look super classy, but they're oh-so easy!
Butterfly Valentines
These sweet butterfly valentines from Skip to My Lou are a breeze to make with a free printable. Just add some googly eyes, and a yummy lollipop the kids will go crazy for, and voilà! The cutest little "bugs" at the party.
The Candy Monster
All moms need is some Conversation Hearts, a couple packs of Sweet Tarts, Starbursts, and edible eyes to make these adorable candy monsters shared by the Holidays Fairies on Instagram. This monster definitely doesn't shy away from the sugar!
An A-Maze-Ing Idea
These tiny plastic mazes are a blast to play with, and they're available at most party stores for a super cheap price. Here, Melanie of Bliss Bloom Blog uses a free printable and a little glue to make a brilliant valentine the kids will never stop playing with.
Tic-Tac-Toe
These cute cards require a little bit of crafting, but the end result is more than worth it. They're made using a free printable designed by Sally J. Shim. She made them for her own kids and writes on her blog that they were a total hit!
A Piece of My Heart
The mom behind the Smashed Peas and Carrots blog shared this quick and clever idea for personalizing cards. All it requires is a strategic photo of a kid and a well-placed treat. Genius!
Say It With Crayons
This free printable from Crazy Little Projects lets parents transform any box of crayons into a unique Valentine's Day surprise that's fun and functional. The best part is, crayons are cheap and every kid loves them. It's a win-win.
All That and a Bag ...
The only thing better than chocolate? Some chips, of course. This quick and easy Valentine's card-snack duo was created with the help of some tags by Sole Creative Studio.
Ready the Troops
What's more fun than a bucket of plastic soldiers? That's the main ingredient in this fun DIY card. Over at Armelle, parents can find a cute printable to use with card stock or paper, and all the instructions to bring these to life. It's a fun craft that even the kids will enjoy!
S'more to Love
Who says s'mores are just for camp fires? These mini s'mores kits by August Day Designs are easy to make and super yummy. The only challenge here is making sure the kids don't eat all the treats before they make it into the bags.
Shades of Love
Dollar-store shades? Check. Easy print-out tags? Check. These valentines from Southern Belle's Cakery are cost-friendly and quick. Perfect for those instances where the kids conveniently forget to mention they need 35 valentines by tomorrow morning. Hey, no judgment.
Be Mine ... Craft
Be the cool mom with this "3D" Minecraft valentine. The free printable is available from Spaceships and Laser Beams, and all that's needed after that is a bag of lollipops. These cards are easy to make and very much in style.
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