10 Candy Free Valentine Ideas

My boys love Valentine's Day, and they enjoy giving unique valentines to their friends. However, due to the nutrition policy at my boys' school, I prefer to have them share cute, candy-free Valentine's Day treats with their classmates.  Today, I am sharing 10 candy free valentine ideas that kids will love! 

Click on the links for all the DIY details and free printables.

1) Teddy Bear Valentine - Everyone loves a tiny teddy, and this one I found at the dollar store is totally adorable and makes a sweet little valentine.  You can download the adorable free printable tags here.

2) Bubbles Valentine - Bubbles are inexpensive and fun... and perfect for sharing with friends.  You can download the adorable free printable tags here.

3) Super Hero Mask Valentine - Every child likes to play dress up, and that is why this easy and inexpensive valentine is such a "super" idea.  You can download the free mask template and free printable tags here.

4) Airplane Valentine - This valentine is guaranteed to be a "soaring" success. You can download the free printable tags here.

5) Crayon Valentine - These simple valentines made from recycled crayons are sure to "brighten up" a child's day.  You can download the step-by-step tutorial for making crayon valentines here.

6) Bookmark Valentine - This bookmark is really cute, and it will be useful long after other valentines end up in the recycling bin.  You can find the full step-by-step tutorial for making this book Valentine here.

7) Glow Stick Valentine - Glow sticks are always a hit... especially when they are given out as part of these adorable character valentines.  We have done two versions of glow stick Valentines.  You can find the details on the Star Wars glow stick valentine here, and you can find the info on the Harry Potter glow stick Valentine here.

8) Punny Valentine - Kids love jokes and puns, and these "punny" photo valentines will not disappoint.  You can find all the details you need to make these 3 "punny" Valentines here.

9) Cookie Cutter Valentine - Cookie cutters make fantastic valentines... especially if you pair them with a fun and easy play dough recipe. You can find my favourite no-cook play dough recipe here.

10) Book Valentine - Books are one of my favorite gifts to give and receive, so I love the idea of books as valentines.  You can download the free printable tags here.

I think all of these Valentine's are adorable candy free options, don't you?  Which one is your favourite?  I don't think I could pick just one because I love them all!

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Bonus: This "I hope you have a BALL" Valentine is simple and cute... and you can find FREE printable tags here.

Super Hero Valentine {with free printable template and tags}

Who doesn't love pretending to be a Super Hero?  So, for Valentine's Day, my oldest son made these wearable Super Hero Masks for all his classmates.  Don't you just love this Super Hero Valentine?

To download the tags I designed, right-click on one of the pictures below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

You can download the template (and full tutorial) for the foam Super Hero mask here.

My 9 year old is "super" excited to share this unique Valentine with his friends.  Are you making homemade Valentine's this year, or are you going with a store bought version?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Book Valentine {with free printable tags}

I love books, and I think they are a perfect idea for a "candy-free" Valentine.  They could even be used for a class Valentine if you are able to find some inexpensive books at the Dollar Store or on clearance.  Add the "You're #1 in my book." tag I designed, and you are all set!

To download the tags, right click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

Do know someone who would like to receive a book for Valentine's Day?  I definitely like any excuse to buy books for my boys!

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Airplane Valentine {with free printable tags}

I love sending my boys to school with unique DIY Valentines to share with their friends.  This year, my 7 year old picked these inexpensive airplane favours, and I designed tags that say, "It's PLANE to see you're a great friend." Cute, right?

To use the tags I designed:  right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4X6 photo.

I found these airplane party favours at the dollar store (12 for $1.25), but you could also use these tags with a "make your own paper airplanes" kit.  Just use fun square of patterned paper, or the paper airplane template you can find here.

I think these DIY Valentines are easy, inexpensive, and fun... don't you?  What will your little ones be sharing with their classmates this year?

♥ 
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Hockey Party Loot Bags

The theme of my oldest son's 9th birthday was "hockey", and because I really dislike junky loot bags, I came up with a unique loot bag idea for his party.  We gave out personalized hockey card books.

I love that they are easy, inexpensive, fun, and USEFUL!

I bought a bunch of duotangs and filled them with plastic hockey card holder sheets.  Then, I made little personalized stickers for the front of each book.

I also made homemade hockey cards with wallet size photos of my son playing hockey.  I added his name and number (with Picmonkey.com), and I stuck each photo in a self-laminating sheet from the dollar store.

Cute, right?  Each guest of the party left with a gold medal and their very own hockey card book.

I love how these hockey party loot bags turned out.  Do you have a hockey fan in your house that would enjoy sharing these hockey card books with his/her friends?  I'll be sharing more DIY details from my son's hockey party soon!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Non-candy Halloween Treat {Mazes}...with free printable tags

My boys like to bring Halloween treats for their classmates, but because of their school's nutrition policy, I always try to come up with simple "non candy" Halloween treats for my boys to share with their friends.  This year I found little "maze" games, and I attached little notes that said, "I think you are an a"MAZE"ing friend."

Cute, right?  Check out the adorable printable tags I designed.  You can download the 4X6 labels for free by right clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a regular photo.

I put each "maze" game in a candy bag with a little spider (for an extra touch of fun).  Then, I added the tags.

I love this simple idea, and I think it is great candy alternative.  I know my boys' friends will have fun with their little treats.  Do you have a fantastic non candy Halloween treat idea?  I'd love for you to share it with me and my readers.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Spy Party - Loot Bags

I am planning a spy party for my middle son on Sunday afternoon, and I thought it would be fun to send all the guests home with a simple spy kit loot bag.  Here's what I came up with:

Each kit contains a notebook, pen, fake moustache, glow stick, laser pointer and glasses.  Fun, right?  

I packaged each kit in a brown lunch bag, stamped it "top secret", and added a cute tag I made in Picmonkey. 

I think all the guests of the party will be thrilled with their spy kit loot bags, and I know my little birthday boy will be excited to give them out to his friends.

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Pixie Dust Pouches {with free printable tags}

We recently had a Jake and the Neverland Pirates party, and because I think it is fun to send the guests off with some fun party favors, I made some inexpensive pixie dust pouches.

I purchased some little glass jars at the dollar store (6 for $1.00) and half filled them with red and gold glitter.  Then, I put them in small yellow bags, and added a cord necklace.  I finished them off with a cute little tag I designed.

To print your own tags, right click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a normal 4 X 6 photo.

Obviously these aren't for unsupervised use or for young children.  Anything that goes around a child's neck can be dangerous if worn while playing.

I think these pixie dust pouches were a fun addition to our little party.  Do you have a little Jake and the Neverland Pirates fan that would enjoy these magical accessories?

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

Find more DIY Pirate Party ideas here.

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party Loot Bags

Loot bags are always a challenge for me when I am planning a party for my boys.  I want to give the guests something that goes with the party theme, but I like to choose something that won't end up in the garbage as soon as they get home.  Here is the loot bag idea that I came up with for my son's Jake and the Neverland Pirates party.

I found reusable cups at Walmart for $1 each.  Then, I added a little bag of cookies, a beaded necklace, and a gold coin.  I made custom tags on Picmonkey, but if you would rather something you can just print easily, you can use the generic "pirate booty" tag that I designed.  Just right-click on the picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4 X 6 photo.

Cute, right?

I hope the party guests will really like this Jake and the Neverland Pirates loot bag.  I know my little birthday boy is excited to share them with his friends.  

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Class Treats {Have a cool summer!}

Our school year is winding down, and today I am sharing the class treats my 6 year old is sharing with his friends on the last day of school.  He is bringing large freezies with little tags that say, "Have a cool summer!"

Cute, right?  I love how simple this idea is, and my little guy is anxious to share these fun treats with his classmates on Wednesday.

To download the tag I designed, just right click on the 4X6 picture below, save it to your computer, and print it like any other photo.  (I designed it so that three tags fit on one 4X6 photo.)

Here are all our treats ready to go!

The only thing better than these class treats are the lazy days of summer that are sure to follow!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Simple Preschool Class Treats

My 4 year old has been going to preschool on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and he wants to bring little treats to his friends on their last days together.  I came up with two simple ideas, and I have included the details (and free printable tags) below.  

For his Tuesday friends, he is bringing bubbles wrapped with little "owl" ribbons and tags that say, "Owl miss seeing you at preschool. Have a great summer!"

To download the tag, right-click on the 4X6 photo below, save it to your computer, and print it.

For his Thursday friends, he is bringing cookies with tags that say, "You are a smart cookie.  Thanks for being my preschool friend."

To download the tag, right-click on the 4X6 photo below, save it to your computer, and print it.

I can't wait for my little guy to share these treats with his preschool friends next week.  He is pretty excited to hand them out.  Do your kids like to pass out class treats on the last day of school?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East CoastMommy)

Snowman Goodie Bag {with free printable}

My six year old recently went to a birthday party, and came home with a "snowman parts" treat bag.  I have seen similar ideas on Pinterest, and I knew I had to design my own version.  Here's what I came up with...

Isn't it cute?  My bag includes:  three marshmallows, two Skittles, two pretzel sticks, a piece of candy corn, and six mini chocolate chips.

I especially like the adorable tag I designed.  You can download the 4X6 version of the tag {for free} by right clicking on the picture below, saving it to your computer, and printing it like a normal photo.

I think this is a great idea for a loot bag, but it would be fun as a class treat or a special snack at home.  Would your little ones enjoy this "snowman parts" goodie bag?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)