30+ free printable DIY Valentines

Store-bought Valentines are fine, but homemade Valentines are definitely more heartfelt and fun. Over the years, I have designed many unique DIY Valentines, and today, I am sharing my favourites with you. There is something for every age and interest in this blog post... and there are many fantastic "non-candy" ideas that are perfect for class parties. Take a look and let me know which DIY Valentine is your favourite.

1) Chips Valentine - If your sweetheart prefers salty over sweet, this is the perfect option for you you. Download the tags for free here.

2) Super Hero Valentine - If you are looking for a fun option that is 100% sugar free, check out this DIY super hero valentine here.

3) Socks Valentine - Practical, fun, and 100% sugar-free, this sock Valentine is the perfect fit. Download the adorable tags for free here.

4) Book Valentine - The BEST Valentine for the book lover in your life. Download the tags for free here.

5) Hockey Valentine - Sports fans will love this unique option. Get all the instructions here.

6) Bubbles Valentine - This simple candy-free option makes the perfect class treat. Download the tags for free here.

7) Teddy Bear Valentine - Kids love stuffed animals in all shapes in sizes, so they make perfect Valentines. Download the tags for free here.

8) Airplane Valentine - Sometimes toys make the perfect Valentine, and these airplane valentines are adorable. Download the tags for free here.

9) Star Wars Treat Valentine - Star Wars fans will love these Star Wars treats and the free printable tags you can find here.

10) Star Wars Glow Stick Valentine - Glow sticks are fun and sugar free. Find the perfect "how to" for a Star Wars valentine here.

11) Sucker Valentine - A sweet face and a sweet treat combine to make this adorable DIY Valentine. Find the instructions here.

12) Stretchy Frog Valentine - A dollar store frog makes a fun punny Valentine when it is paired with the cute tag you can find here.

13) Bear Crackers Valentine - Teddy bear crackers are great for younger kids, and this little Valentine is adorable. Download the tags for free here.

14) Bookmark Valentine - DIY bookmarks make wonderful class Valentines. Find the details here.

15) Minions Valentine (or this finger puppet version) - Despicable Me lovers will adore this sweet DIY Valentine option. Find the instructions and free printable tags here.

16) Homemade Fortune Cookies Valentine - Who doesn't love a shortcut, and this is a great one! Find the "recipe" and free printable tags here.

17) Crayon Valentine - Old, broken crayons are transformed into the a colourful Valentine with the instructions and free printable tags you can find here.

18) Pencil Valentine - It doesn't get easier than this! Get the free printable, "You've got the WRITE stuff" tags here.

19) Teacher Valentine - Teachers need Valentines too... and a sweet treat makes the perfect gift. Download the "Sweet treat for a sweet teacher" tags here.

20) Harry Potter Valentine - Harry Potter fans will love this magical Valentine. Find the full "how to" here.

21) Cookie Cutter Valentine - Sharing your favourite recipe with a cute cookie cutter is a fantastic idea for Valentine's Day. Find the details and my favourite recipe here.

22) Punny Photo Valentines - What could be more personal than a photo? I love these punny Valentines, don't you? Find the details here.

23) Ball Valentine - Dollar store balls make fun and playful Valentines. They are a great candy-free class Valentine option. Download the "I hope you have a ball" tags here.

24) Dinosaur Valentine - This dollar store trinket makes a wonderful Valentine for dinosaur loving kids. Download the free printable tags here.

25) Gumball Valentine - These simple gumball Valentines are cheerful and fun. The colourful gumballs and tags are super-cute. Download the tags for free here.

26) Glasses Valentine - With spring around the corner, sunglasses make SPECtacular Valentines. Download the cute tags I designed here.

27) Car Valentine - As a mom of three boys, little cars and things that move have always been popular in my house. Check out this cute Valentine and free printable tags here.

28) Funny Valentine - Are you sentimental, or is humour more your thing? I think this is a great Valentine for a spouse, family member or co-worker. Download it for free here. 

29) Simple Donut Valentine - Donuts... need I say more? You are going to love the sweet options and free printable tags here.

30) Donut Valentine Bouquet with FREE printable tags - I know a lot of people that would prefer donuts to flowers... and you won't believe how easy it is to make a donut bouquet. You can find the instructions and free printable tags here.

31) Valentine Arrows - The way to my heart is definitely through my stomach. Are you with me? If you have a sweetheart with a sweet tooth, you are going to want to check out the Valentine arrow instructions and free printable tags here.

There are some fun ideas in this video too!

There really is a DIY for every age and taste on this list. What type of Valentine are you sharing this year? I hope you've been inspired by one of the free printable Valentine options on this list.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You can find MORE easy and inexpensive 

Valentine's Day ideas 

here.

TOP 15 Valentine's Day Crafts to Make This Year

Holidays are the perfect time to create handmade gifts and decor, and Valentine's Day is one of my favourite times to get crafty. Pinterest has provides endless inspiration, but today I am sharing the top 15 Valentine's Day crafts to make this year. There is something for every age and skill level on this list!

How cute is this crafty Valentine's Day vignette? Below, you'll find links to tutorials for these crafts and more!

Here are links to 15 fantastic Valentine's Day crafts (in no particular order):

1) Sock gnome - Gnomes are super trendy now, and this Valentine's Day gnome is easy to make using dollar store supplies. (The beard is made from a dollar store mop!) I've even designed FREE gift tags you can use to share your creations with family and friends. Find everything you need here.

2) Pom pom gnome ornament - There has never been a cuter yarn craft. Kids and adults will love creating these adorable pom pom gnome ornaments. They can used as decor (or given as gifts). You can find the full step by step instructions (and short "how to" video) here.

3) Yarn wrapped hearts and pom pom flowers - Filling a vase with yarn wrapped hearts and pom pom flowers is a simple craft that anyone can do. To make the heart flowers: cut a piece of cardboard into the shape of a heart, wrap it with yarn (securing periodically with yarn), and hot glue a dowel to the finished heart. To make pom pom flowers, you can follow the step by step instructions (and video) here.

4) Love bugs - This is one of my most popular Valentine's crafts, and it isn't hard to see why. When my boys were younger, they loved making a bunch of these little critters. I've even made love bug kits for them to share with their friends on Valentine's Day. You can find the step by step instructions (and "how to" video) here.

5) Argyle sweater wreath - Nothing says "cozy and warm" like an argyle sweater, and this argyle sweater inspired wreath sure to heat up your Valentine's Day decor. It's simple to make using yarn and felt, and you can find all the instructions you need here.

6) Pom pom wreath - The best thing about this "classy" looking wreath is that it started as one of those "tacky" tinsel wreaths they sell at the dollar store. You can read all about the transformation, and learn how to make your own pom pom wreath for Valentine's Day here.

7) Felt flower wreath - Sometimes simplicity speaks volumes, and I love this uncluttered (and easy to make) felt flower wreath for Valentines Day. I love the different shades of red and pink mix with the rustic look of the twine wrapped wreath, don't you? You can find the instructions for making this wreath here.

8) Heart rosette wreath - I made this wreath in 2012, and it is still my favourite piece of Valentine's Day decor. The felt flowers are simple (and inexpensive) to make, and they look fantastic when they are glued together to create this gorgeous wreath. You can find the step by step instructions for making this wonderful craft here.

9) Tissue paper hat - Kids love making Valentine's crafts too, and they are great for helping children hone their fine motor skills. This craft is particularly fun and effective... and children will proudly wear their creation. You can find the step-by-step instructions for this Valentine's Day tissue paper hat craft for kids here.

10) "I love you pieces" artwork - This is another great craft for young kids working on their fine motor skills. It also makes a nice Valentine's Day card for children to give to their parents.  You can find the full instructions, and download the FREE template, for this craft here.

11) Valentine's Day Candle Holder - This is a simple craft for kids to make and share on Valentine's day, and it's a great way to recycle old jars. It great for gifting, and it works well with a battery operated candle inside. You can find the full instructions here.

12) Valentine Mailboxes - Don't we all remember making Valentine mailboxes when we were little kids? And wasn't it fun opening them up and reading all the cards inside? You can find three simple mailboxes for kids to make here.

13) Heart people - I made this simple craft when I was a little girl, and I made it with my boys when they were young. The accordian arms really give this Valentine's Day craft its personality. You are going to want to make these heart people with your little ones this year! Find the full instructions here.

14) Kiss countdown - My kids have always loved having Advent calendars for Christmas, so I thought it would be fun to countdown to Valentine's Day too. How cute is this "kiss' countdown? Find the full instructions here.

15) Valentine's Day prize punch - I came up with the idea for a "prize punch" many years ago, and they have become a staple at all our parties and celebrations. Of course, making one for Valentine's Day was a "no brainer". Find out how simple it is make one for your family here.

Aren't these all fantastic ideas for creating wonderful Valentine's Day crafts?

Do you have a favourite Valentine's Day craft? Did it make my list? I'm really loving the yarn inspired crafts this year, but they are all super-fun. Which one will you be making first?

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

Valentine's Day Sock Gnomes (made from dollar store supplies)

I love simple crafts, and the Valentine's Day sock gnomes that I'm sharing today are easy to make and super-cute. All you need are a few dollar store supplies and a glue gun. You are going to love this one!

First, gather your supplies. You'll need: a mop, white socks, Valentine's Day socks, rice, elastics, and something for a nose (pom poms, painted styrofoam balls, or wood balls).

Then: cut the sock, fill the sock with rice, and secure the top with an elastic. (If you are concerned about the elastic breaking over time, you can reinforce with a piece of thread.)

Use pieces from a dollar store mop to make a beard. Cut strips to the desired lengths, use hot glue to attach the strips to the front of the rice-filled sock, place a Valentine's Day sock over the beard (and glue in place), and separate the strands of the mop. 

Note: For the sock hat, I suggest putting some stuffing in the sock to give it some shape. I also cut the toe off my sock and used red thread to close the end.  Alternatively, you could hot glue a pom pom to the end, or you could put a styrofoam ball in the toe, and secure it with an elastic to make a "faux" pom pom.

Finish by using hot glue to attach a pom pom nose.

At this point, you can consider your gnome finished, or you can add some arms or other embellishments.

To make arms: Use the piece of the sock that you cut off. Cut it to the desired length and width (to fit your gnome), and roll each arm and secure with glue. 

Then, make mittens by cutting twp pieces of red felt, wrapping them around the ends of the arms, and securing the mitts in place with a piece of embroidery floss. Use hot glue to attach the arms (under the hat).

You might find this video helpful too!

I left my gnome plain, but you can embellishment yours with felt hearts, heart-shaped jewels, and/or any accessories you want.

I am using my gnomes as part of my Valentine's Day decor, but I think they'd be perfect to give to friends and family as Valentine's Day gifts. You could add a cute gift tag to make it extra special. I designed a few options that you can print for free.

To print the six gift tags I designed: click on the picture below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular 4x6 photo.

Don't you just love homemade Valentine's Day decorations? There is something really lovely about all the shades of white, pink and red.

Do you think you'll make your own Valentine's Day sock gnome? I gave you a basic template, but feel free to express your creativity. You can use different coloured socks, add your own embellishments, and play with the size and scale of the gnomes. Have fun!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.