There are so many adorable Valentine cards out this season, with fun little favors to circulate as well. Above ARE mini’s Valentines from last year from my favorite Etsy stationer, Erin Wallace, who has tons of adorable options (including many shared in this post). Last year, I included a small play-doh tub and plastic cookie cutter along with the card. Below, sharing some other ideas, including many non-edible ones as I know many schools have restrictions on what foods can be circulated, and it’s also always a gamble knowing what other parents’ preferences along these lines…
I CH-CH-CHOOSE YOU WITH THOMAS THE TRAIN MINIS
BEE MINE WITH BEE FIDGET TOYS
I’M WILD ABOUT YOU WITH FROSTED ANIMAL CRACKERS SNACK PACKS
YOU MAKE MY HEART POP WITH POPPER BRACELETS, RING POPS, POP PENS, OR FIDGET KEY CHAINS
YOU’RE BEARY SWEET WITH BEAR STACKING PENCILS OR HARIBO BEARS
I’M SO GLAD YOU’RE IN MY SCHOOL WITH GOLDFISH SNACKS
DID YOU HEAR THE SCOOP? OR YOU MELT MY HEART WITH ICE CREAM STACKING CRAYONS OR ERASERS
SCRATCH-OFF VALENTINES — FUN ON THEIR OWN! OR IF FOR A SMALL CROWD, INDIVIDUAL MINI ETCH A SKETCHES
YOU’RE DINO-MITE WITH GLOW IN THE DARK DINOS
IT’S A BALL BEING YOUR FRIEND WITH A FOAM BALL OR BASEBALL KEYCHAINS
VALENTINE YOU BLOW ME AWAY WITH BUBBLE WANDS
VALENTINE YOU BRIGHTEN MY LIFE WITH HEART SHADES
VALENTINE, YOU SET MY HEART ON FIRE WITH FIRE TRUCK CRAYONS OR MINI FIRE TRUCK TOYS
YOU’RE A-DOH-ABLE WITH MINI PLAY DOH
I’M DO-NUTS ABOUT YOU WITH SCRATCH AND SNIFF PASTRY/DESSERT STICKERS
YOU’RE MY MAIN SQUEEZE WITH GOGO SQUEEZ POUCH
YOU ARE LOADS OF FUN WITH PULLBACK DUMP TRUCKS
For most of these, I would wrap the favor in a little cello bag of the proper dimensions and tuck the card inside so its visible and then tie off with a gingham ribbon in red, pink, or blue as the case might be.
An alternative, sweet option is having your children decorate their own Valentines, in which case I would use this Kid Made Modern Valentine Making Kit. I find this brand to have really nice quality, cute sets that have everything you need rather than having to source supplies individually and imagine the permutations of what might be cute for a Valentine. I’ve bought several of the seasonal “craft kits” and my children go wild over them. Target also has a few make-your-own Valentines sets for slightly older children (more complex assembly): these and these.
For something along the more traditional lines, Cheree Berry Paper has some adorable emoji-centric Valentine cards that even young children can help fill out, Meri Meri has some darling cards, and Mr. Boddington’s Studio has kitschy-cute classic perforated card Valentines on sale here.
Another thought: have your little ones make bracelets using heart beads for their classmates/friends. Mini loved this kit and we actually ended up keeping it and reusing it over and over again to make different necklaces at home, but it would also work to make bracelets or necklaces for classmates. I think we gave that to her two Valentine’s Days ago, when she was just three, and she loved it then. For more dextrous (older) children, I love these luminescent heart and star beads (buy a spool of stretchy cord to make into bracelets), or this pastel set. Even though I intend to buy my children some of Erin Wallace’s Valentine’s to give out (above), I think I will buy a set of these for my children to do as an activity around Valentine’s Day. Along these lines, a few other at-home, fun activities for the occasion:
CERAMIC HEART PAINTING CRAFT — NOTE THAT I USUALLY SWAP IN WASHABLE CRAYOLA PAINT INSTEAD OF THE PAINT THAT COMES WITH THIS…EASIER ON ME (HA)
SCRATCH ART HEARTS — MINI HAS A SIMILAR SET FROM MELISSA & DOUG SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVES
VALENTINE STICKERS LIKE THESE AND THESE — INFINITY USES IN OUR HOME
VALENTINE CRAFT KIT — I LOVE TO JUST OPEN THE BOX AND LET MY CHILDREN HAVE AT IT…WE ALWAYS END UP WITH TONS OF FLOATING POM POMS AND HALF-BENT PIPE CLEANERS BUT THEY LOVE IT SO MUCH
Last but not least, I shared some cute Valentine’s Day PJs and outfits here, but this tiny waffle maker in the shape of heart is sure to delight on Valentine’s Day morning. I have a Halloween shaped one that is such a thrill to my children. Serve them up on these $3 red melamine heart plates. I bought them in pink last year and they are absolutely adorable and so fun for little ones! These more expensive melamine ones are also adorable for the occasion.
P.S. My favorite icebreaker.
P.P.S. Cute everyday children’s finds.
P.P.P.S. Anyone else feeling the urge to declutter and organize?