Valentine Craft for Kids: Ribbon Hearts 3 Ways!

I love Valentine’s season. Yes, with all of the decoration, the excitement, and the never ending arts and crafts ideas, it is much more than a day!

This week I set up the first of many Valentine’s activities for my son, a simple invitation to create Valentine’s Crafts with ribbons.

I like to set up art materials in a box (I call them invitations to create) for my boys because…

1. I like to see their creativity.
2. The materials in a box invite them to create what they’d like with minimal instruction.
3. With all the materials ready for them, I know that my boys will be in one place for a while (fingers crossed).

Here’s how to make your own Invitation to Create Valentines!

Materials to Make a Valentine Craft for Kids

• Colorful ribbon
• Scissors
• Glue
• Googly eyes
• Card stock hearts

Version 1: Silly Ribbon Faces

For the invitation, I included patterned ribbon, ric rac, paper hearts cut from card stock, scissors, and glue.

My goal was to encourage scissor practice and fine motor skills. I expected my four-year-old son to cut the ribbon into pieces and glue it around the hearts.

But, like any four-year-old, he had his own ideas.

First he made ‘roads’ across the table with the ribbon.

Then he requested googly eyes.

I found some in our craft closet. Once he had the eyes, he started working (and giggling) right away.

When I saw what he was doing, I couldn’t help but smile, too.

He was using the materials to make silly Valentine faces, with ribbon eyebrows, and mouths, and ric rac teeth.

With the baby napping, I got to join in the fun and make a couple of faces myself.

There is something so therapeutic about art, even in its silliest form.

Version 2: Abstract Ribbon Hearts

When the toddler awoke, he wanted to join us. At 18-months-old, he is not yet able to use scissors, but he was excited to squeeze on some glue (with help) and stick pieces of ribbon on the paper. I love the abstract look of his art.

This is a great project for young children, because it is free form, and they can make it as simple or as challenging as they’d like.

Version 3: A Million Little Pieces Hearts

With the kids busily working on their crafts, I got to spend some time making a special heart, too.

I love the way the ribbon colors pop on this one. To make your own, cover an entire heart with small pieces of ribbon, overlapping the edges of the paper. Flip the heart over, and trim the excess ribbon away. Then, give it to someone you love!