Looking for baby Valentines crafts that are cute, quick, and actually manageable with tiny hands (and tiny attention spans)?
This super-friendly guide is packed with Valentine handprint art, Valentine footprint crafts, “My First Valentine” keepsakes, baby Valentine card ideas, and easy toddler Valentine crafts—all using washable, non-toxic supplies.
Think: nap-time setups, five-minute wins, and keepsakes you’ll love forever.
How to Use This Post
Skim the sections that fit your baby’s age, pick one easy win, and set it up in five minutes or less.
Each idea includes Age, Supplies, Steps (plus a Bonus Tip) so you’re not doing mental gymnastics with a baby on your hip.
Handprint & Footprint Keepsakes (Heart-melt guaranteed)
These quick prints turn tiny hands and feet into frame-worthy Valentine art you’ll keep forever.
1) Handprint Heart Bouquet
Age: 6–24 months
Supplies: Pink/red paint, cardstock, green marker
Steps: Stamp 3–5 handprints as “flowers,” draw stems and a bow.
Bonus Tip: Write “Love grows here” + name/year at the bottom.
2) Footprint Heart (Two Feet = One Heart)
Age: 0–18 months
Supplies: Washable paint, cardstock
Steps: Stamp one footprint angled left, one angled right so the heels meet like a heart.
Bonus Tip: Add “Two little feet, one big love.”
3) “XOXO” Handprint Art
Age: 6–24 months
Supplies: Paint, marker
Steps: Stamp one handprint (X), draw an “O,” repeat across the page.
Bonus Tip: Cut into mini prints for grandparents.
4) Cupid Arrow Footprint
Age: 0–18 months
Supplies: Paint, marker
Steps: Stamp a footprint, draw an arrow through a heart near the toes.
Bonus Tip: Add a tiny name label like a “signature.”
5) Thumbprint Heart Cluster
vAge: 9–24 months
Supplies: Non-toxic ink pad or paint, cardstock
Steps: Make two thumbprints that meet at the top to form hearts—repeat into a cluster.
Bonus Tip: Outline each heart with a fine marker once dry.
6) “Be Mine” Envelope Print
Age: 6–24 months
Supplies: Paint, cardstock, marker
Steps: Stamp a handprint inside a drawn envelope shape; write “Be Mine.”
Bonus Tip: Turn it into a Valentine card by folding the cardstock.
7) Love Bug Footprint
Age: 0–18 months
Supplies: Paint, googly eyes (optional), marker
Steps: Stamp a footprint as the body; draw antennae + spots.
Bonus Tip: For infants, draw the eyes instead of using small parts.
8) Heart-Shaped Handprint Wreath
Age: 9–24 months
Supplies: Red/pink paint, paper heart outline
Steps: Stamp small handprints around a big heart outline to form a wreath.
Bonus Tip: Add a photo in the center.
DIY “My First Valentine” Keepsakes (Giftable & frame-worthy)
Cute enough to gift, sturdy enough to keep.
9) Salt Dough Heart Keepsake
Age: 0–24 months
Supplies: Salt dough, straw, ribbon
Steps: Roll dough, press hand/thumbprint, cut heart shape, poke hole, bake low/slow, cool.
Bonus Tip: Write name + year with a paint pen.
10) Air-Dry Clay Handprint Heart Plaque
Age: 0–24 months
Supplies: Air-dry clay, ribbon (optional)
Steps: Flatten clay, press hand, shape edges into a heart, let dry.
Bonus Tip: Keep it natural (no paint) for a modern look.
11) “My First Valentine” Photo Magnet
Age: Any (grown-up assembly)
Supplies: Baby photo, cardstock, adhesive magnet sheet
Steps: Cut photo into a heart frame, mount to cardstock, add magnet backing.
Bonus Tip: Make a set of 3 for the fridge.
12) Jar-Lid Heart Photo Ornament
Age: Any (grown-up assembly)
Supplies: Clean jar lid, heart photo, ribbon, glue
Steps: Glue photo into lid, add ribbon hanger.
Bonus Tip: Washi tape around the rim = instant polish.
13) “Love You More” Mini Canvas
Age: 9–24 months
Supplies: Small canvas, paint, marker
Steps: Paint a simple background, add baby thumbprint hearts, write “Love you more.”
Bonus Tip: Keep the colors to 2–3 for a calm, modern vibe.
14) Handprint Heart Garland
Age: 9–24 months
Supplies: Cardstock, paint, string
Steps: Stamp handprints, cut into hearts, string as a garland.
Bonus Tip: Use it as a photo backdrop after.
15) Heart Handprint Bookmark (Grandparent Gift)
Age: 6–24 months
Supplies: Cardstock strips, paint, clear packing tape/lamination
Steps: Stamp a small handprint heart at the top, write name/year, seal.
Bonus Tip: Punch a hole + add a ribbon tassel.
Sensory-Friendly Valentine Art for Babies
Low-mess, high-delight projects focused on safe exploration.
16) Taste-Safe “Pink Paint” (Yogurt + Food Coloring)
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Age: 6–12 months
Supplies: Plain yogurt, food coloring, tray, paper
Steps: Tint yogurt, let baby smear on tray, press paper on top to lift prints.
Bonus Tip: Tape paper down so it doesn’t slide.
17) Heart Sensory Bag (Zero-Mess)
Age: 6–18 months
Supplies: Zip bag, hair gel, large confetti/hearts, tape
Steps: Fill bag, seal, tape edges to high-chair tray, let baby squish.
Bonus Tip: Draw a heart outline on the outside for “tracing.”
18) Valentine Discovery Bottle
Age: 6–18 months
Supplies: Clear plastic bottle, big pom-poms, ribbon scraps
Steps: Fill, hot-glue lid (grown-up), shake and roll.
Bonus Tip: Keep pieces big enough that they can’t fit through the bottle opening.
19) Heart Stamp Painting (Sponge Hearts)
Age: 9–24 months
Supplies: Sponge, cookie cutter (heart), paint
Steps: Cut sponge into hearts (or wrap sponge in a heart cutter), stamp away.
Bonus Tip: One color + one accent color looks the most “frameable.”
20) Crayon Melt Heart Art (Grown-Up Only Heat Step)
Age: 18–24 months (observe; adult finishes)
Supplies: Crayons, heart outline, hair dryer
Steps: Baby helps place crayon bits; adult melts with warm air.
Bonus Tip: Do it outside or on a protected surface.
21) “Sticky Heart” Texture Collage
Age: 9–24 months
Supplies: Contact paper, tissue squares, soft fabric scraps
Steps: Tape contact paper sticky-side up, let baby stick textures, seal.
Bonus Tip: Great for babies who want to grab everything except the paintbrush.
Paper, Stickers & No-Paint Wins (High-chair approved)
Fast crafts you can finish before the snack is gone—no paint required.
22) Dot-Sticker Heart Balloons
Age: 9–24 months
Supplies: Cardstock, dot stickers, marker
Steps: Draw balloon strings, let baby place dot stickers as balloons.
Bonus Tip: Use heart stickers if you have them.
23) Doily Heart Cards
Age: 12–24 months
Supplies: Paper doilies, cardstock, glue stick
Steps: Fold doily into a heart shape, glue to card, add a short message.
Bonus Tip: Add baby’s photo inside for instant “aww.”
24) Washi Tape Hearts
Age: 12–24 months
Supplies: Washi tape, cardstock
Steps: Outline a heart lightly, let toddler fill it with tape strips.
Bonus Tip: Tape is forgiving (and surprisingly calming).
25) Conversation-Heart Sticker Sheet Art
Age: 9–24 months
Supplies: Heart stickers, cardstock
Steps: Draw a big heart; baby “fills” it with stickers.
Bonus Tip: Write classic phrases around it: “XO,” “Be Mine,” “Love.”
26) Paper Plate Heart Wreath
Age: 12–24 months
Supplies: Paper plate, pink/red paper scraps, glue stick
Steps: Cut out the center, glue scraps around the ring.
Bonus Tip: Add a ribbon bow at the bottom.
27) “Mail a Valentine” Toddler Craft
Age: 18–24 months
Supplies: Stickers, crayons, cardstock
Steps: Decorate a card, place it in an envelope, “mail” it to someone you love.
Bonus Tip: Let them put the stamp sticker on—huge pride moment.
Nature & Recycled (Low-cost, high-cute)
28) Cardboard Tube Heart Stamps
Age: 12–24 months
Supplies: Toilet paper roll, paint
Steps: Pinch the roll into a heart shape, dip, stamp.
Bonus Tip: Tape the tube shape so it holds.
29) Egg Carton Heart
Age: 18–24 months
Supplies: Egg carton cups, paint/markers, glue
Steps: Cut cups (grown-up), toddler colors, glue into a heart shape
Bonus Tip: Use this as a grandparent gift topper.
30) Valentine “Mailbox”
Age: 18–24 months
Supplies: Mini mailbox, stickers, paper hearts
Steps: Decorate box, then “deliver” paper hearts into the slot.
Bonus Tip: Doubles as a fine-motor game.
31) Magazine Heart Collage
Age: 18–24 months
Supplies: Old magazines, glue stick, paper heart
Steps: Tear (or cut) pink/red pieces, glue onto a big heart.
Bonus Tip: Tearing paper is the toddler craft MVP.
Snack-Crafts (Edible-ish activities)
These are more like cute little activities than serious crafts—perfect for a “Valentine playdate” vibe.
32) Heart Toast Art
Age: 12–24 months
Supplies: Toast, heart cookie cutter, yogurt or nut/seed butter (as appropriate)
Steps: Cut heart toast, spread, add fruit pieces.
Bonus Tip: Snap a photo before they demolish it.
33) “Stamp” with Strawberries
Age: 18–24 months
Supplies: Strawberry halves, yogurt, paper
Steps: Dip strawberry halves in yogurt and stamp onto paper.
Bonus Tip: Use a tray—this gets joyful fast.
34) Cereal Heart Sorting Tray
Age: 12–24 months
Supplies: Big cereal, muffin tin, heart cut-outs
Steps: Sort cereal into sections labeled with hearts/colors.
Bonus Tip: Keeps hands busy while you drink coffee hot.
35) Valentine “Trail Mix” for Toddlers
Age: 18–24 months
Supplies: Puffs, yogurt melts, dried fruit (age-appropriate)
Steps: Mix in a bowl, scoop, snack.
Bonus Tip: Skip nuts/hard pieces for little ones.
Photo-Op Props (Craft it, then snap it)
36) “My First Valentine” Sign (Easy Printable-Style DIY)
Age: Any (grown-up writes)
Supplies: Cardstock, marker, ribbon
Steps: Write the phrase, add baby’s name + date, punch holes, tie ribbon.
Bonus Tip: Hold it next to baby for a simple milestone photo.
37) Heart “Wings” Backdrop
Age: Any (grown-up assembly)
Supplies: Paper hearts, tape
Steps: Tape two large hearts behind baby like wings; photograph on a blanket.
Bonus Tip: Do it near a window for the best light.
38) Felt Heart Garland Backdrop
Age: Any (grown-up assembly)
Supplies: Felt hearts, string
Steps: String hearts into a garland, hang on a wall for photos.
Bonus Tip: Make it neutral (blush/cream) for a modern look.
10-Minute “I Can Do This Today” Ideas
39) One Single Perfect Handprint Heart (frame it, call it done)
40) Heart Sticker Onesie (stickers + quick photo = memory made)
41) Thumbprint “XO” Card (two thumbprints = heart, write XO)
42) Tissue Paper Window Heart (contact paper + tissue, hang in the window)
43) Sponge Heart Stamps on Gift Wrap (DIY Valentine wrapping paper)
Set-Up & Clean-Up hacks
Contain the mess: Use a shallow plastic bin as your craft tray.
Tape everything down: Paper, sensory bags, even the paint palette.
Dress for success: A plain light onesie = cute photos + easy stain treatment.
Drying zone: Cooling racks over parchment keep projects off the table.
Memory hack: Write name + date + age on the back of everything.
FAQs (Quick answers you actually need)
What paints are safest for babies?
Use washable, non-toxic, AP-certified paints. For under-1, stick to taste-safe options (like tinted yogurt). Avoid small parts and anything strongly scented (especially essential oils).
Can my baby really “help” with crafts?
Yes—helping means stamping, sticking, smearing, and exploring textures while you handle cutting/hot glue/anything tiny.
What are the easiest Valentine crafts for infants?
No-mess wins: sensory bags, contact-paper collages, and simple hand/footprint keepsakes when you have an extra set of hands.
How do I make baby Valentine cards fast?
Pick one: handprint heart, thumbprint hearts, or a photo + doily heart. Add a short message. Done.
Want an easy “plan it once” win for this season?
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🎉 You’re ready to plan a beautiful first birthday!
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