This is a no-pressure post, parents. You’ve got a lot going on and Valentine’s Day might not be on your priority list this year. We don’t ever want Valentine’s Day gifts to feel like an obligation, one more stressor for your winter schedule, especially this year — so if your palms are getting sweaty, click on over to something that will make you happy instead. We’re hoping this list will help those who get stumped every year when it’s time for their kids to hand out (or send out, if they’re remote) those Valentine’s Day cards to the class. And for those of you who relish this task every year, maybe we’ve come up with an idea or two you hadn’t thought of.
Of course, you can definitely go with the tried and true V-day gift options: heart-shaped candies and store-bought cards. Kids love them! But if you’re hoping to avoid handing out candy, or if you just find it more entertaining for yourself and your child to be more original, there are so many creative options out there that’ll last longer than a tasty piece of chocolate. We’ve got everything from temporary tattoos to sparkly keychains. There are even a few gift options that your kids can customize and make their own. Just make sure you get enough Valentines, because your kids are definitely going to want to keep one of these gifts for themselves.
While you’re at it, pick up a little something for yourself this Valentine’s Day, too, why don’t you?
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A Fun Gross-Out Gift: Valentine’s Slime
Sure, it isn’t candy, but kids will be thrilled to receive this Valentine. Who doesn’t love slime (aside from most parents)? The stretchy squishy slime can even be stress-relieving. You get a total of 28 slime packs and cards, so you have enough for your kid’s class.
Almost Healthy: Welch’s Fruit Snacks
Yes, they’re candy. Yes, dentists hate them. But you can maybe feel a little bit better about the hint of fruit that these delicious gummies provide.
For the Future Paleontologists: Dino-Mite Valentines
Jennifer at Life in the Green House was inspired by her toddler’s love of dinosaurs to make these adorable cards, complete with tiny dino toys. You can use a printable like she did, or tie the figurines onto any store-bought card.
Cuteness Multiplied: Sloth Stamps
Honestly, who wants hearts on everything when you could have smiling sloths?
Hearts Can Be Cool, Too: Colorful Heart Erasers
A little graphic design goes a long way toward making us rethink this classic shape.
Melt These Hearts: Melted Crayon Hearts
This is perfect when you’ve got a box of broken crayons lying around like we do. Pick up a silicone candy or ice mold and follow blogger Princess Pinky Girl’s instructions on how to melt those crayons to multicolored perfection.
Backpack Bling: Flip Sequin Keychains
Now that everyone’s hanging baubles all over their backpacks, keychains have become the it toy among a lot of elementary school kids we know. These flip sequins are great for fidgeting, too.
The Splurge: Dylan’s Candy Bar Dipped Oreos
These chocolate-covered Oreos are so gorgeous, we couldn’t resist including them, even if they might be above your price range for class Valentines. It’s also pretty easy to make your own, if you’re so inspired.
Eye-Catching Fun: Heart Coloring Books
This coloring book goes above and beyond, because your little one can cut-out the hearts after they color them in.
Because Llamas Are the New Unicorns: Llama Pens
This set is super cute and comes with pens and a llama journal. It’s perfect for little llama lovers.
Game On: Tic-Tac-Toe Cards
With these printable Tic-Tac-Toe Valentine’s games, the DIY Mommy has provided us with a card, a game, and a vehicle in which you can deliver cute pens or washable markers, depending on who’s receiving them.
For the Ambitious Romantics: DIY Heart Garland
This craft combines clay, glitter glue and string, which is undoubtly some of your kids’ favorite things. You can have your kid send out individual modeled and colored hearts to kids or send them out as individual Valentines.
Watch Them Grow: Seed Paper Flowers
Your kids may be too young to give flowers to their friends, but somehow flower seeds seem completely appropriate.
Ink Their Obsessions: Temporary Tattoos
This temporary tattoo set has something for every kid, ranging from dinos to mermaids. Cut out the individual tattoos and you can distribute them in cards.
Rolling in Puns: Play-Doh Cards
Over at the Nerd’s Wife, you can download printable cards that include a circle cutout designed for a little play-dough Valentine’s jar. It’s just the thing to save kids’ teeth (if not their parents’ carpets!).
Be the Fruit Mom: Cutie Clementines
Just think how much the other kids’ parents will love you if you replace those chocolates with healthy oranges. Pop ‘em in little sandwich bags with a card and you’re a hero.
Popcornopolis Valentine’s Day Mini Cones
These prepackaged cones of popcorn from Costco are too tasty and cute to pass up. They’ll even please your older kids.
Pin it!
Pin it now, and check out these classroom Valentine ideas later.
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