Valentine’s Day may not be as busy as Christmas, but there’s still plenty to do! Around here, we like to bake sweet treats, decorate the house, and switch over to all things pink and heart-shaped. I also like to make sure I have a stack of kids Valentines on hand before the holiday creeps up on me.
Even if your kids aren’t in school, they can still give Valentines to their friends and family. Or they could even hand out Valentines to kids they see regularly at group classes, like storytime, music class, or swim.
And yes, it would be simpler to skip out on kids valentines during the early years! But this is a great time to teach kids about kindness, gratitude, and friendship. (No judgment either way – sometimes we really do just need one less thing on our to-do list).
But I’m here to make it easier! While you could get extra cute with printables and assembling your own goody bags, I think it’s also ok to give yourself permission to make it really easy on yourself and buy pre-made Valentines.
Nowadays there are so many fun and creative Valentine’s day cards for kids. There are also a lot more non-candy Valentines to choose from! I don’t remember seeing these options on the shelves when I was a kid — do you?
Ali Approved Tip: Make it a fun family activity! Have older kids pick out the Valentines they like best. Younger kids who are learning how to write can practice writing names on the cards. If you have a toddler, give them a couple of options to choose between and have them decide who will get which card.
If you need more ideas for Valentine’s Day, check out some of my favorite Valentine’s Day books for kids. I also have a post sharing Valentine gifts for your whole family. Or shop my curated Valentine's collection for all my tried-and-true favorites in one place!
Now it’s time to get to my favorite kids Valentines I’ve seen this year — so you have one less thing to plan (and stress over) this holiday!
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Kids Valentines
Galaxy Slime Cards: Kids will go crazy for these individual mini slime containers. The best part, the slime actually stays contained.
Pop Tube Fidget Toys Valentines: These stretchy, accordion-style tubes are fun and interactive and can bend into fun shapes—kids love the sensory feedback.
Sticky Hearts, Hands, & Feet: These stretchy, sticky toys that "walk" down walls are oddly satisfying and keep kids entertained for hours. Great for younger elementary (K-3rd) and allergy-friendly classrooms.
Squishy Toy Valentines: Kids never seem to get sick of squishy toys. They can collect and trade these.
Pop Toy Valentines: Mini pop-it fidgets that attach to cards are genius for anxious kids who need something to do with their hands. These actually get used long after Valentine's Day is over.
Mini Sports Ball Valentines: Tiny foam basketballs, footballs, and soccer balls are a fun option if you don't want anything pink.
Crazy Straws: Heart-shaped or swirly straws make every drink special and are surprisingly durable. My kids love using these on the weekends.
Dinosaur Egg Hatching Cards: The geologist in me always loves a dinosaur-themed Valentine. These grow-in-water dinosaur eggs need to soak in a small cup of water for 24-72 hours and will hatch and grow into a small rubber dinosaur.
Racing Cars Valentines: Pullback racing cars that actually zoom across the floor are always a hit with the car-loving crowd. Quick to hand out and no assembly required.
Construction Vehicle Cards: Mini trucks, bulldozers, and excavators on wheels appeal to the builder kids who live for anything with moving parts.
Animal Building Block Cards: These mini animal building sets (think tiny LEGO-style creatures) are perfect for kids who love to build—keeps them busy for ages.
Sticky Climbing Ninja Valentines: These little ninjas "climb" down windows and mirrors using sticky hands and feet. Apologies that you kids will be throwing these at windows for hours.
Bluey Valentines: If your kid's class is obsessed with Bluey (and let's be honest, whose isn't?), these cards and stickers are a winner.
Foam Airplane Valentines: Simple foam gliders that kids assemble and fly—perfect for outdoor recess on Valentine's Day.
Funny Cards With Scented Stickers: Joke cards paired with scratch-and-sniff stickers hit the sweet spot for elementary kids who think they're too cool for "baby" Valentines.
Valentine Fidget Spinners: Fidget spinners in Valentine colors keep restless hands busy during class parties. Bonus: they're super lightweight and easy to distribute.
Watercolor Valentines: Unleash your kids' inner artist with this watercolor paint set. Great for class parties.
Heart Crystal Valentines: These heart shaped gems cool rock is a fun and unique Valentine's Day classroom exchange.
Themed Stickers Valentines: Classic sticker sheets never go out of style and work for literally any age. These are a great affordable, easy, and universally appreciated Valentine.
Frequently Asked Questions: Kids' Valentines
When should I start preparing for classroom Valentine exchanges?
Aim for mid-January to avoid the last-minute rush and items going out of stock. However, all the options in this guide can be assembled in under 30 minutes if you're in a time crunch! Order early if you're shopping online—Prime shipping is your friend here.
What are the best non-candy Valentine treats for school?
Think fun + useful Valentines, like heart erasers, mini playdough, stickers, slime, crayons, keychains, bubbles, or pencils. Scratch-off joke cards are a personal favorite—they're interactive, fun, and kids actually get excited about them. These are classroom-friendly and way more exciting than candy 🫠
How many Valentine cards should I buy for my child's class?
Many schools are moving toward simple card exchanges only. In these cases, focus on fun, personalized cards that your child can sign themselves. Consider cards with jokes, puzzles, or interactive elements (like scratch-off joke cards—the card IS the activity!) rather than attached treats.
What if my child's school has a no-gift policy for Valentine's Day?
Many schools are moving toward simple card exchanges only. In these cases, focus on fun, personalized cards that your child can sign themselves. Consider cards with jokes, puzzles, or interactive elements (like the card IS the activity) rather than attached treats.
What are good Valentine's Day gifts for my own kids at home?
Skip the chocolate boxes and trendy toys that'll be forgotten by March. Instead, focus on: experience-based gifts (movie night kit, baking together), quality books, cozy pajamas, special breakfast traditions, or small meaningful items they've been asking for. The goal is creating memories, not more clutter. For specific gift ideas your kids will actually love, check out my Valentine's Day gifts guide and favorite Valentine's Day books for kids.
How can I make Valentine's Day special without going overboard?
Start one simple tradition that fits your family. It could be heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast, a special movie night, or writing love notes to hide in lunchboxes. Kids remember traditions and quality time more than expensive gifts. Keep it simple, keep it consistent, and keep it stress-free for you!
What's the easiest way to personalize classroom Valentines?
Buy cards with a fill-in-the-blank format ("To/From" only) and let your child sign their name—that's it! My kids' school asks that you not personalize messages, as it takes too long for kids to hand out their Valentines. Seriously, save your energy for the things that matter.
Are homemade Valentines better than store-bought?
Absolutely not, and don't let Pinterest guilt tell you otherwise! Store-bought cards are perfectly wonderful, especially when you're juggling everything else. If your child genuinely wants to make cards and you have the time, go for it. But if not, the pre-made options are a fantastic choice.
Are there Valentine treats that aren’t sugary?
Yep! Pretzels, fruit snacks, yogurt bites, crackers, or even fun-shaped gummies made with real fruit can be non-candy swaps.
Which valentine is your favorite? If you have other ideas for kids valentines, share them with me in the comments below!
