As a mom of four and a perinatal mental health therapist, I know firsthand that crafting with preschoolers can feel… overwhelming.

Especially when Pinterest makes everything look Instagram-perfect!

But here’s what I’ve learned after countless Valentine’s Days with little ones: simple is better. Always.

Let’s talk about crafts that actually work in real life.

You know, the ones you can do without losing your mind or spending a fortune on supplies you’ll never use again.

These activities aren’t just fun - they help develop fine motor skills, encourage creativity, and create sweet moments with our little ones.

(Even if those moments sometimes involve finding glitter in unexpected places for the next six months!)

Supply List (Things You Probably Already Have):

• Construction paper

• Kid-safe scissors

• Glue sticks

• Markers or crayons

• Paint (washable… trust me on this one!)

• Paper plates

• Basic craft supplies you’ve collected over time

1. Handprint Heart Cards

   Let’s start with a classic that grandparents absolutely melt over.

What You’ll Need:

• Red or pink paint

• White paper

• Wet wipes (lots of them!)

The Process:
Paint your child’s hands and help them press them together on paper to form a heart shape. Simple as that! Add a sweet message, and you’ve got a keepsake that’ll make you cry when you find it in a memory box years later.

Therapist Tip: This activity is perfect for sensory exploration. If your little one seems hesitant about messy hands, validate their feelings and offer alternatives like using markers instead.

2. Love Bug Paper Plates

This one’s a crowd-pleaser that uses supplies you probably have sitting in your kitchen right now.

What You’ll Need:

• Paper plates

• Red or pink paint

• Googly eyes

• Pipe cleaners

• Glue

The Process:
Let kids paint the plate, add googly eyes, and stick on pipe cleaner antennae. Boom - you’ve got love bugs! No artistic skills required, and each one turns out perfectly unique.

Mom Truth: Set up newspaper first. Always, always set up newspaper.

3. Heart Suncatchers

These bring such joy when sunlight hits them, and they’re surprisingly easy to make!

What You’ll Need:

• Contact paper

• Tissue paper scraps

• Scissors

• Black construction paper

The Process:
Cut a heart frame from black paper, stick tissue paper pieces on contact paper, and hang in a window. The look on your child’s face when sunlight shines through? Priceless.

Real Talk: Will some tissue paper end up on the floor? Yes. Will your preschooler care about staying in the lines? Probably not. Is it still worth it? Absolutely.

4. Cheerio Heart Necklaces

Combining craft time with snack time? Yes, please!

What You’ll Need:

• Yarn (with tape-wrapped ends for easy threading)

• Cheerios

• Red ribbon

The Process:
Thread Cheerios onto yarn in a heart shape. Tie ends. Add ribbon. Watch your little one beam with pride (and sneak a few Cheerios in the process).

Bonus: This one’s great for fine motor skills development!

5. Fingerprint Heart Trees

This craft grows more precious every time I look at it.

What You’ll Need:

• Blue paper

• Brown marker

• Pink or red ink pad

• Wet wipes

The Process:
Draw a simple tree trunk, then let kids add “leaves” with their fingerprints in heart shapes. Each little fingerprint becomes a tiny heart on the branches.

Professional Insight: Activities like this help develop hand-eye coordination and give children a sense of accomplishment. Plus, they make adorable keepsakes!

Tips for Crafting Success (From Someone Who’s Been There):

1. Keep sessions short - 15-20 minutes max for most preschoolers

2. Prepare everything before calling the kids over

3. Focus on the process, not the end result

4. Have cleaning supplies ready

5. Take photos - these moments fly by so fast!

When Things Don’t Go As Planned:

Remember that time my youngest decided to paint the cat instead of the paper?

Or when my preschooler ate more glue stick than he used? These moments happen.

They’re normal. Sometimes they even become our favorite memories!

As a therapist, I want to remind you: It’s okay if crafts don’t turn out Pinterest-perfect.

What matters is the connection you’re building with your child.

These activities create opportunities for conversation, laughter, and learning - even when things get messy.

A Final Note to Parents:

You don’t need elaborate setups or expensive supplies to create meaningful Valentine’s Day memories with your preschooler.

Sometimes the simplest crafts lead to the sweetest moments. And if all else fails?

There’s always stickers. Stickers are magic.

Remember: Your child won’t remember if the hearts were perfectly symmetrical or if the glitter got everywhere.

They’ll remember making something special with you.

That’s the real Valentine’s Day magic.

Now, go grab those supplies, lay down some newspaper, and create some memories.

And maybe wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on - just in case!

Happy crafting! ❤️

P.S. Don’t forget to date these masterpieces. Future you will thank me!

With love and solidarity,

You are a mom of a preschooler? Let’s connect!

Reach out for a free consultation today!

Related Articles:

Setting Boundaries During the Holidays: A Mom’s Guide

Juggling Joy: Tricks to Managing Holiday Anxiety for Moms

Navigating the Holidays: A Guide to Preventing Mom Burnout

20 Game-Changing Self-Care Ideas for Mothers

Sources:

Handmade Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids: Simple Ideas for Sweet Home Décor