[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)
A card that pops out chocolate
Here’s an idea for a “pop-out chocolate card” made especially for a long-time favorite chocolate treat! You can adapt the idea for other products by changing the size, so give it a try if you like.
We’ll make it in two parts: the card base and the pop-up mechanism.
For the card, just fold a rectangular sheet of construction paper in half.
The mechanism is simply a stand that lets the chocolate stand upright, so it’s easy to make.
Prepare construction paper in your favorite colors and give it a go.
Decorating with patterned origami paper or stickers is also recommended!
[Childcare] Cute to make! Valentine’s craft ideas (51–60)
A letter of the heart
Some of you may want to give a message card as a token of your appreciation.
But a regular message card can feel a bit dull, right? That’s why I’d like to suggest a heart-shaped letter.
It’s a message card in the shape of a heart.
When you pull the two semicircular sides, the center part opens and the message card appears.
If you use origami paper, it will be about palm-sized, but with a larger sheet, you can make it the size of a regular letter.
Heart-shaped message card
How about decorating a message you want to share with someone special using heart-shaped origami and giving it as a gift? All you need is red origami paper.
By folding the red paper a few times and making a cut, you can create a cute heart shape.
The best part of this method is that when you open the heart, it instantly transforms into a petal shape! If you add this little surprise to a message card and include a handwritten note, the gift will make a strong impression, and your message is sure to stay in their memory for a long time!
Heart wreath made with paper cores
Hearts are a perfect match for Valentine’s Day, when we share love and gratitude.
Try making a heart wreath using toilet paper rolls.
Flatten a roll, draw lines every 3 cm, and cut along the lines.
Paint the pieces your favorite colors—pink or orange could be cute.
Once the paint is dry, cut them again at 1 cm intervals to create three thinner strips.
Pinch the bottom crease while pushing the top crease inward to shape each piece into a heart.
Finally, glue the hearts together into a wreath, and you’re done!
Valentine’s woven basket
This is a craft using a soft paper called reversible crepe.
Prepare two sheets of paper of the same size, fold them in half, then leave 2–3 cm at the top and cut slits on the looped side to make strips.
The number of slits will vary depending on the paper size, but if the paper is 9 cm wide, cut one sheet into 3 cm-wide strips and the other into 1 cm-wide strips.
After making the slits, weave the strips through each other inside the loop alternately, as if weaving a basket.
Once everything is threaded, attach a handle to complete your heart-shaped woven basket!
Fluffy Yarn Valentine
@soramame.sensei #CapCutThreading (a cord/strap through a hole)Valentine's Day# developmental support (ryōiku)Educational toy
♬ A cute pop song like Valentine Kiss(964024) – TEtoTE_Music
Threading fluffy yarn is so much fun! Here’s a heart-shaped gift craft that’s perfect for 3-year-olds.
First, cut construction paper or cardstock into a heart shape.
If you draw a large heart, it’s a great chance to practice using scissors.
Next, punch holes along the edge of the heart with a hole punch.
Once the holes are made, thread yarn through any hole you like.
It’s done when you randomly lace colorful, thicker yarn through the holes! A radiating pattern looks cute too.
Thicker yarn is easier to thread, so prepare something your child can handle easily.
Valentine’s chocolates made from newspaper
When it comes to big events in February, Valentine’s Day tops the list.
Even preschoolers might make friend chocolates or give them to someone they like.
Here’s a cute craft idea that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Twist newspaper into thin strands and shape them into hearts.
Mix your favorite color of acrylic paint with glue and brush it on.
Finally, wrap them with finely cut construction paper, pom-poms, or ribbons, and you’ll have Valentine chocolates that look almost real! They make great room decorations and are perfect to take home as a craft project, too.