Valentine’s Day Art Activities for Preschoolers: Fun and Creative Projects

Valentine’s Day is a perfect opportunity for preschoolers to explore their creativity. Engaging little ones in art activities not only helps them develop fine motor skills but also nurtures their emotional and social development. With a little planning, you can organise fun, age-appropriate projects that are easy and enjoyable for preschoolers. Here are some Valentine’s Day art activities that are sure to win hearts!

1. Heart Collages

Materials Needed:

• Construction paper (in shades of red, pink, and white)
• Safety scissors
• Glue sticks
• Stickers, buttons, or sequins
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Pre-cut heart shapes in various sizes from construction paper. Alternatively, let preschoolers practice their scissor skills by cutting out simple heart shapes themselves.
2. Provide a large piece of construction paper as the base for their collage.
3. Encourage children to arrange and glue their hearts creatively, layering them or overlapping them in any way they like.
4. Add embellishments such as stickers, buttons, or sequins to give their artwork texture and sparkle.
5. Let them use markers or crayons to write messages or draw additional decorations.

This activity allows kids to practice fine motor skills while expressing their creativity. Each collage is a unique masterpiece!

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2. Fingerprint Heart Trees

Materials Needed:

• White cardstock or construction paper
• Brown marker or paint
• Washable red, pink, and purple paint
• A tray or paper plate for paint

Instructions:

1. Draw or paint a tree trunk with branches on a piece of white cardstock.
2. Pour small amounts of washable paint onto a tray or plate.
3. Show children how to dip their fingertips into the paint and create heart-shaped leaves by placing two fingerprints side by side.
4. Encourage them to use different colours to fill the branches with “leaves.”

This simple yet beautiful activity is a hit with preschoolers, as it’s tactile and engaging. As parents, it’s a little keepsake treasure!

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3. Paper Plate Love Bugs

Materials Needed:

• Paper plates
• Paint or markers
• Pipe cleaners
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• Scissors
• Construction paper

Instructions:

1. Have the children paint or colour their paper plates in bright Valentine’s Day colors such as red, pink, or purple.
2. Once the plates are dry, fold them in half.
3. Attach googly eyes to the folded edge to create the “face” of the love bug.
4. Use pipe cleaners for antennae, attaching them to the top of the plate with glue or tape.
5. Cut out small hearts from construction paper and glue them onto the body as decorations or wings.

Love bugs are great fun to make, allowing children to create adorable little creatures full of Valentine’s charm.

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4. Stamped Heart Art

Materials Needed:

• Toilet paper rolls
• Red, pink, and white paint
• Large sheets of paper
• Tape

Instructions:

1. Shape a toilet paper roll into a heart by pinching one side inward and creasing the opposite side into a point. Secure the shape with tape if needed.
2. Pour paint onto a tray or plate.
3. Show children how to dip the end of the toilet paper roll into the paint and stamp it onto paper to create heart shapes.
4. Encourage them to experiment with patterns, overlapping stamps, or using multiple colours.

This eco-friendly project is easy to set up and clean up while providing endless stamping fun for little ones.

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5. Valentine’s Day Card Making

Materials Needed:

• Card or construction paper
• Glitter glue
• Stickers
• Crayons or markers
• Doilies
• Heart-shaped cutouts

Instructions:

1. Fold card or construction paper in half to create a card base.
2. Provide various materials such as glitter glue, stickers, and doilies for children to decorate their cards.
3. Encourage preschoolers to draw pictures, write their names, or add short messages with crayons or markers.
4. Help them glue on heart-shaped cutouts or other embellishments.

Making Valentine’s Day cards is a classic activity that teaches children about the joy of giving and spreading kindness.

6. Heart Sun Catcher

Materials Needed:

• Contact paper
• Tissue paper (in Valentine’s colours)
• Scissors
• String or ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut a large heart shape out of contact paper and remove the backing.
2. Have children tear or cut tissue paper into small pieces.
3. Let them stick the tissue paper onto the sticky side of the contact paper.
4. Once the heart is fully covered, seal it with another piece of contact paper.
5. Trim the edges and punch a hole at the top to thread a ribbon or string for hanging.

These colorful sun catchers look stunning when hung in windows, catching the light and adding a festive touch to any space.

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7. Bubble Wrap Printed Hearts

Materials Needed:

• Bubble wrap
• Paint
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Paintbrushes or rollers

Instructions:

1. Cut heart shapes out of construction paper.
2. Paint the bumpy side of a piece of bubble wrap with red or pink paint using a brush or roller.
3. Press the painted bubble wrap onto the heart shapes to create a textured pattern.
4. Allow the prints to dry, and use them as decorations or cards.

Bubble wrap printing is a sensory delight for preschoolers, combining art with tactile fun!

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8. Handprint Heart Keepsakes

Materials Needed:

• White card
• Paint (red, pink, or purple)
• Paintbrush

Instructions:

1. Paint one hand of each child with a chosen colour.
2. Help them press their painted hand onto the card, creating one side of a heart.
3. Repeat with the other hand, overlapping the prints to form a complete heart shape.
4. Add the child’s name and date to create a personalised keepsake.

These handprint hearts are perfect for preserving memories and make wonderful gifts for parents or grandparents.

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9. Wool Wrapped Hearts

Materials Needed:

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Wool (red, pink, or white)
• Tape

Instructions:

1. Cut heart shapes out of cardboard.
2. Tape one end of the wool to the back of a heart.
3. Show children how to wrap the wool around the heart until it’s completely covered.
4. Secure the end of the wool with tape.

This activity is a great way to strengthen fine motor skills while creating gorgeous decorations.

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10. Cupid’s Arrow Craft

Materials Needed:

• Paper straws or craft sticks
• Foam or felt
• Glue
• Scissors
• Glitter or markers

Instructions:

1. Cut heart shapes and small triangles out of foam or felt for the arrowhead and fletching.
2. Attach the arrowhead to one end of the straw or craft stick and the fletching to the other.
3. Let children decorate their arrows with glitter, markers, or stickers.

These adorable Cupid’s arrows make great props for pretend play or Valentine’s Day decorations.

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Tips for a Successful Art Session

• Prepare materials in advance: Have everything ready before starting to keep the session smooth and stress-free [but equally, it’s ok to embrace the madness too!]
• Encourage creativity: Provide guidance but let children make their own creative choices.
• Embrace the mess: Use washable materials and cover workspaces with newspaper or tablecloth for easy clean up.
• Celebrate their work: Display the completed projects at home or in the classroom to show pride in their efforts.

Valentine’s Day art activities for preschoolers are a fantastic way to celebrate love and creativity. These projects are not only fun but also help young children build important developmental skills.

So gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let the heart-filled crafting begin!