[Preschool] Cute to Make! A Collection of Valentine’s Craft Ideas
February 14 is Valentine’s Day.
In Japan, there’s a tradition where women give chocolate to someone they like, but recently it’s been shifting toward giving gifts or messages to family and friends as a way to express gratitude.
I think more and more preschools are enjoying the Valentine’s atmosphere as well.
This article introduces Valentine-themed craft ideas for early childhood education.
It’s a collection of ideas you can make with familiar materials like origami paper and recycled items!
Enjoy making Valentine’s crafts together with the children.
Wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Because the items children make are treated as “works,” we use the term “seisaku (制作: production/work)” in the text.
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[Childcare] Cute to Make! Valentine’s Craft Idea Collection (41–50)
Valentine mobile
Valentine’s Day, with all its excitement, is an important event in February! Let’s make a mobile to brighten up and celebrate the day.
A mobile is a type of decoration where you hang various items using thread or wire.
Since it’s for Valentine’s Day, the things you hang should, of course, be Valentine-themed! Try making hearts and chocolates out of construction paper or origami and hang them up.
Using colors commonly associated with Valentine’s Day, like red and brown, will make it feel even more festive.
It’s an easy craft that even young children can enjoy, so it’s highly recommended!
Etegami-style card
Why not try making a Valentine’s card in the style of an illustrated postcard using paints? Even if you’re not confident in your drawing skills, this is easy to try: use a gradient technique to paint a heart and add a single brushstroke message in the center.
Be sure to practice the gradient a few times on a separate sheet first.
Once you get used to it, it’s quick to make; if it’s difficult, you can also create depth by changing colors.
When the card is finished, mount it on a backing paper and decorate it cutely with ribbon tape or stickers.
Perfect for anyone who wants to create a card with a special touch!
Valentine’s Day Crafts
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, many people think of it as a day to give chocolate to someone special.
If you make a container to hold that chocolate, it might help you feel even more connected to the holiday.
By using items meant for holding things—like paper cups, paper bags, or gift boxes—as a base and then customizing them, you can create a sturdy container.
It’s classic to decorate with ribbons or paper cut into heart shapes, aiming for a bright, festive look that conveys your feelings.
Lollipop Message Card
You might not be very familiar with the term “lollipop,” but it refers to stick-style candy like Chupa Chups.
Lollipop message cards with a poppy, childlike vibe are a top recommendation, too! Among the options, the method of recycling a toilet paper roll is especially appealing because it’s so easy to make with things you already have at home.
Besides the toilet paper roll, you only need construction paper and colored pencils to put one together, making it perfect for anyone who doesn’t have much time left before Valentine’s Day!
Heart Message Card Made with Origami
This is a heart-shaped message card made from origami that’s sure to delight as a gift! Instead of having a heart drawn or decorated on the card, the card itself is shaped like a heart.
When you open the heart, the message appears! The folding method is simple with no difficult steps, but if the paper is small, the inside reverse fold part can be a bit tricky.
Using tweezers or making it with slightly larger origami paper might be a good idea!
jack-in-the-box
How about setting up a surprise for Valentine’s Day? Here’s a fun jack-in-the-box using cardboard springs.
First, prepare an empty chocolate box of a handy size and plenty of cardboard cut to fit inside the box.
Make two pieces of cardboard with thin slits cut toward the center, then overlap the slits and secure them with cellophane tape to form a cross.
Make many of these.
Tape them all together to create a spring made of cardboard.
Finally, set it inside the empty chocolate box and add some confetti, and your surprise box is ready!
Cane card
Message cards made with decorative sticks, often called “wands,” are also a great idea! You’ll need colored construction paper, a straw, yarn, scissors, glue, and a hole punch.
If you also buy sequins—small items that reflect light—the finished result will look even nicer.
First, fold the colored paper into quarters and cut it.
When you unfold it, it will be clover-shaped, and you can write your message there.
Next, wrap yarn around the straw and decorate it with heart-shaped colored paper.
Finally, the teacher can use the hole punch and glue to attach the wand and the message card, and it’s complete!