15 Adorable DIY Valentine’s Day Heart-Shaped Crafts With Easy Steps

Paper, yarn, crayons and salt dough make sweet heart crafts fast. Hot glue, ovens and candle wax need an adult.

The easiest heart crafts use paper, yarn and a pair of scissors. Pop-up cards, woven baskets and origami hearts take about 20 minutes. Melted crayon hearts and salt dough hearts need an oven, so an adult runs that part.

A Childhood101 pop-up card starts with a 10 by 5 inch sheet of light cardstock. You fold it in half and cut a half heart with a 1/2 inch gap left uncut.

Mind the heat. An NSTA safety article says glue guns can burn skin at any temperature setting.

These 15 crafts give you steps, a style tip and a safety note each. Most need only paper and glue.

Pick two or three, gather the supplies, and finish them in one afternoon. Save the oven and wax crafts for an adult, and try the origami heart first if you are short on time.

How Do You Pick the Right Heart Craft?

Start with who is crafting. A four-year-old needs a different project than a teen or an adult. Then check your time and your mess budget.

Use this table. The times and levels are our own estimates.

Craft	Best for	Time	Needs an adult for
Paper heart garland	All ages	20 min	Nothing
Pop-up heart card	Ages 7 and up	20 min	Nothing
Woven paper heart	Ages 8 and up	25 min	Nothing
Origami heart	Ages 7 and up	10 min	Nothing
Yarn heart bookmark	Ages 5 and up	30 min	Hot glue
Melted crayon hearts	Ages 4 and up	1 hour	Oven
Salt dough hearts	Ages 3 and up	3 hours plus	Oven
No-sew heart pillow	Ages 6 and up	40 min	Hot glue
Heart candles	Teens and adults	1 hour plus	Hot wax

Paper crafts are the safest start. Save the oven and wax for adults. If you need gifts fast, see our under an hour Valentine crafts.

What Safety Rules Apply to Heart Crafts?

Most heart crafts are gentle. A few use heat. Read these rules first.

Hot glue. The NSTA article above says glue guns can burn skin at any setting. Let an adult run the gun. Keep a bowl of cool water nearby.

Ovens. An adult opens the oven and moves the tray. Let hot items cool fully before kids touch them.

Wax and flame. Never leave melting wax alone. Keep a lid or a fire extinguisher close.

Burning candles. The NFPA numbers reported by KOLD News show about 7,600 home fires a year start with candles. Keep flames 12 inches from anything that burns. Battery candles remove the risk.

Scissors. Use small, child-safe scissors. Stay close and hand them over handle first. This is our advice.

Food and craft supplies. Do not use a craft pan for food again. Keep dough and paint away from pets.

1. Paper Heart Garland

A garland is the fastest way to fill a wall. For more ideas, see our Valentine’s Day decorating ideas. It also works as a gift topper.

You need: red, pink and white paper, a heart template, scissors, string and tape.

Steps:

1. Trace one heart on cardboard and cut it out. This is your template.
2. Trace it on six to ten sheets of paper. Cut each heart out.
3. Lay the hearts face down along a string with gaps of about 3 inches.
4. Tape each heart to the string. Hang it.

Style tip: Pick three colors only. It looks planned, not messy. This is our tip.

Safety note: Use child-safe scissors for young kids.

2. Pop-Up Heart Card

A flat card with a heart that springs out. It’s a small bit of magic.

You need: light cardstock, a pencil, a ruler, scissors and glue.

Steps:

1. Cut a sheet to 10 by 5 inches. Fold it in half.
2. Trace half a heart on the fold. Leave a 1/2 inch gap on the outer edge.
3. Cut along the heart line. Do not cut the gap.
4. Open the card and press the heart inward.
5. Glue it inside a folded outer card. Write your message.

Style tip: Cut two smaller hearts from colored paper. Glue the biggest on the pop-up and the smaller one inside. Childhood101 suggests this layering.

Safety note: Cutting the curve takes control. Younger kids need help.

3. Woven Paper Heart Basket

This is the Danish “julehjerter” style. It is a heart you can fill with candy.

You need: two sheets of paper in different colors, scissors, glue and a strip for the handle.

Steps:

1. Cut a template about 3 by 6 inches from each sheet. This size is our suggestion.
2. Fold each piece in half.
3. Make two equal cuts from the fold. Stop where the curve begins.
4. Weave the strips over and under. Flip the pattern for the second strip.
5. Glue the handle inside.

Style tip: Red and white is the classic pair. Felt makes a tougher basket.

Safety note: None beyond scissors. Do not overfill it with heavy items.

4. Origami Heart

No glue. No scissors. And it’s just one square of paper.

You need: a square sheet of paper. A 6 inch square is easy to fold. This is our suggestion.

Steps:

1. Fold the square in half both ways. Unfold it.
2. Fold the sides and bottom corners toward the center.
3. Fold the shape into a hexagon.
4. Tuck the top into the lower pocket.
5. Fold the top corners down a little.
6. Flip it over.

Style tip: Use patterned paper. The heart looks rich.

Safety note: Paper cuts happen. Fold on a flat table.

5. Yarn-Wrapped Heart Bookmark

A tiny gift for a book lover. Prefer yarn that lasts? Try our crochet Valentine heart patterns.

You need: cardboard, yarn, tape, scissors and a craft stick.

Steps:

1. Trace a heart on cardboard. Cut it out.
2. Tape the end of the yarn to the back.
3. Wrap the yarn up and down across the heart.
4. Wrap it side to side across the first layer.
5. Glue the end to the back.
6. Glue a craft stick to the back as a handle.

Style tip: Paint the cardboard white first. Pink yarn pops.

Safety note: Hot glue needs an adult. Craft glue also works but dries slowly.

6. Melted Crayon Hearts

Old crayon bits become bright hearts.

You need: crayons, a silicone heart mold and a baking sheet.

Steps:

1. Peel the paper off. Break the crayons into small bits.
2. Fill the mold cups with the bits.
3. Set the mold on a baking sheet.
4. Bake at 250°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Teaching Mama checks at about 10 minutes.
5. Cool about 30 minutes. Pop the hearts out.

Style tip: Mix one color family per heart. Reds with pinks look warm.

Safety note: An adult handles the hot tray. Wax stays hot long after it looks set.

7. Salt Dough Heart Ornaments

Salt dough is cheap and kid-friendly. It dries hard.

You need: 4 cups flour, 1 cup salt, about 1 1/2 cups warm water, a rolling pin, heart cutters and a straw.

Steps:

1. Mix the flour and salt. Add water. Knead 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick.
3. Cut hearts. Poke a hole with a straw.
4. Bake on parchment at 250°F for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. This is what The Best Ideas for Kids uses.
5. Cool. Paint, then seal.

Style tip: Press a button or a lace scrap into the dough for texture. This is our tip.

Safety note: Other sites bake at 200°F or 100°C for longer. Pick one method. Lower the heat if the dough puffs, and keep it away from pets.

8. No-Sew Heart Pillow

A soft pillow made with glue, not a needle.

You need: fleece, stuffing, scissors, a heart template and hot glue.

Steps:

1. Trace two hearts on fleece. Cut them out.
2. Cut a smaller heart for the front. Make it about 1 1/2 inches smaller all around.
3. Cut strips along the edge of the big heart. Stop at the small heart’s edge.
4. Glue the edges. Leave a small opening.
5. Stuff it. Glue the opening shut. Knot the strips.

Style tip: Use two shades of pink. The tassel edge looks fun.

Safety note: Hot glue needs an adult. Fleece strips can tangle, so keep it away from babies.

9. Heart-Shaped Candles

This one is for teens and adults. Wax is hot and can catch fire.

You need: wax, wicks, a silicone heart mold, a pouring pitcher and a large pan.

Steps:

1. Half fill the pan with water. Set the pitcher of wax inside.
2. Heat on medium-low. Melt the wax slowly.
3. Follow your wax maker’s directions for fragrance and temperature.
4. Set the wick in the mold. Pour the wax.
5. Let it set. Trim the wick.

Style tip: Dye the wax a soft blush. Tie a ribbon around the finished heart.

Safety note: Never leave melting wax alone, and keep a fire extinguisher close. Do not reuse the pan for food. Burn the finished candle on a holder, 12 inches from anything flammable.

10. Paper Bag Heart

Free supplies. Pretty result.

You need: a small paper bag, scissors, tape and ribbon.

Steps:

1. Cut the bag into two heart shapes. Make them the same size.
2. Glue the edges together. Leave the top open.
3. Fill with small candy or a note.
4. Tie a ribbon at the top.

Style tip: Stamp small dots on the bag. Kraft paper looks rustic.

Safety note: Keep small candies away from toddlers.

11. Countdown Paper Hearts

A short paper chain that counts down the days.

You need: colored paper, a pen, a stapler and string.

Steps:

1. Cut 14 hearts of the same size.
2. Write a number, from 14 down to 1, on each.
3. Hang the hearts on a string.
4. Take one down each morning.

Style tip: Hide a small note behind each heart.

Safety note: None beyond scissors and staples.

12. Foam Heart Magnets

Foam sheets cut like paper and need no paint.

You need: foam sheets, scissors, small magnets and glue.

Steps:

1. Trace a heart on foam. Cut it out.
2. Cut a smaller heart in a second color.
3. Glue the small heart on the big one.
4. Glue a magnet on the back.

Style tip: Draw a tiny message with a marker. This is our tip.

Safety note: Magnets are a choking risk. Keep them from small children.

13. Cherry Tomato Hearts

An edible craft for a snack plate.

You need: cherry tomatoes, a small sharp knife and a cutting board.

Steps:

1. Wash the tomatoes. Cut each in half.
2. Flip each half so the cut side is down.
3. Trim the tip into a small V, so it looks like a heart.
4. Put on a plate with cheese cubes.

Style tip: Use red and yellow tomatoes. Add a basil leaf.

Safety note: An adult does the cutting. Wash hands and the board first.

14. Heart Flowers

A paper bouquet that never wilts.

You need: paper, green pipe cleaners or paper straws, tape and glue.

Steps:

1. Cut five hearts per flower.
2. Glue the points together in a circle. The tips meet at the center.
3. Add a small circle to the middle.
4. Tape the flower to a stem.

Style tip: Use different pinks in one bouquet. Wrap the stems with ribbon.

Safety note: Pipe cleaner ends can poke. Fold the ends over.

15. Paper Crown of Hearts

A fun crown for a Valentine party. Running late? See our last minute Valentine’s Day ideas.

You need: a long paper strip, hearts, glue and tape.

Steps:

1. Measure the head with a paper strip. Add 1 inch for overlap.
2. Cut 5 or 6 hearts.
3. Glue the hearts along the strip.
4. Tape the ends together.

Style tip: Make the center heart bigger. It looks like a real crown.

Safety note: Stay away from hot glue near the face.

How Much Do Heart Crafts Cost?

Most paper crafts cost under a few dollars if you own scissors and glue. We did not price each item, so check your local store. Candles and pillow stuffing cost more than paper.

A smart way to save is to reuse. Old crayon bits, cardboard and paper bags cost nothing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the oven check. But salt dough that puffs was baked too hot, so don’t ignore it. Lower the heat.

Using wet paint on warm dough. Let it cool first.

Cutting without a template. Hearts come out lopsided. Trace one good template.

Letting kids use hot glue alone. Adults run it.

Burning candles near paper decor. Keep paper garlands away from flames.

Your Weekend Plan

Saturday morning: cut a template and make a garland and a pop-up card. Saturday afternoon: mix salt dough and bake it. Sunday: paint and seal the dough hearts, then wrap the bookmark.

FAQ

What is the easiest heart craft for kids?

A paper heart garland. Kids trace and cut hearts, then tape them to a string. It needs no oven or hot glue.

How do you make a pop-up heart card?

Fold a 10 by 5 inch sheet in half. Cut a half heart on the fold, leave a 1/2 inch gap, then push the heart inward. Childhood101 shows this method.

How long do salt dough hearts take to bake?

One tested recipe bakes at 250°F for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Others use lower heat for longer. Check often, and lower the heat if they puff.

Are crayon hearts safe for kids?

The oven part is for adults. Kids can sort and break the crayons. Let the hearts cool about 30 minutes.

Can kids use a hot glue gun?

An NSTA safety article says glue guns can burn at any setting. Let an adult run it, or use craft glue.

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