Valentine’s Day is all about sharing love and happiness with family, friends, classmates, and teachers. For kids, it’s a fun holiday filled with heart-shaped treats, cards, and arts and crafts projects. This year, get creative with play doh Valentine’s and make Valentine’s Day extra sweet with fun DIY crafts.
Candy Hearts
These play dough candy hearts are an adorable Valentine’s Day craft for kids of all ages. They’re easy to shape and decorate, and allow kids to express their creativity.
Supplies Needed:
- Play-Doh in pink, red, purple, white
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters or candy molds
- Plastic knives
- Toothpicks
Instructions:
- Take a chunk of Play-Doh and use the cookie cutter or mold to cut out heart shapes. Make hearts in different sizes.
- Use a plastic knife to cut strips of white Play-Doh for “frosting” and textured details.
- Use a toothpick to write messages on the hearts like “Be Mine”, “XOXO”, “Love”, etc.
- Add white strip details and texture with the knife. Refrigerate hearts to help “frosting” set.
- Display the candy hearts on a tray or in a basket and let kids exchange them as Valentines!
Heart Wreaths
Hang these precious heart wreaths made with Play-Doh on doors or walls to spread the love on Valentine’s Day.
Supplies Needed:
- Play-Doh in pink, red, purple, white
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters or candy molds
- Plastic knives
- Straws cut into 3-4 inch pieces
- Ribbon
Instructions:
- Cut straw pieces in half to make rings. Wrap ribbon around each ring and tie off.
- Take chunks of Play-Doh and cut out different sized hearts with the cookie cutter.
- Use a plastic knife to add “frosting” details to hearts with white Play-Doh.
- Poke holes near the tops of the hearts with a toothpick.
- Thread Play-Doh hearts onto the straw rings.
- Hang heart wreaths up with ribbon to display. So sweet!
Heart Animals
Kids will love creating these cute critters out of colorful Play-Doh hearts. Get creative with different animal ideas!
Supplies Needed:
- Play-Doh in pink, red, purple, white, black
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters/molds
- Googly eyes, pom poms, pipe cleaners (optional)
Instructions:
- Cut out heart shapes for the bodies using cookie cutters.
- Form heads, ears, tails, etc. freehand with Play-Doh. Attach to bodies.
- Add googly eyes, pom pom noses or other embellishments. Use pipe cleaners for whiskers or antennas.
- Make animals like bunnies, elephants, cats or even unicorns!
- Pose heart animals together and let kids play with their Valentine’s Day critter creations.
Heart Sun Catchers
Hang these stained glass-style heart sun catchers in windows to spread colorful cheer on Valentine’s Day.
Supplies Needed:
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters/molds
- Play-Doh in assorted colors
- Plastic knives
- Wax paper
- Tacky glue
- String, ribbon, or yarn
Instructions:
- Roll out a chunk of Play-Doh on wax paper to 1/4″ thickness.
- Cut out different sized hearts with cookie cutters.
- Layer cut-out hearts between sheets of wax paper. Gently press together.
- Carefully peel heart layers off wax paper. Apply tacky glue around edges.
- Pinch heart edges together tightly to seal. Add string or ribbon for hanging.
- Let heart sun catchers fully dry. Then hang in windows and enjoy the colors!
Love Bugs
These sweet “love bug” magnets made from Play-Doh and pipe cleaners will stick to fridges or metal surfaces for a cute Valentine’s decoration.
Supplies Needed:
- Play-Doh in red, pink, black, white
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters/molds
- Googly eyes
- Mini pipe cleaners
- Magnetic tape
Instructions:
- Form an oval body with Play-Doh. Cut out head from a small heart.
- Add googly eye details. Form and attach antennae with mini pipe cleaners.
- Use a knife to cut wing shapes from white Play-Doh. Attach to body.
- Cut a heart shape with mold for a “tail” and attach to back.
- Add magnetic tape to the back so the love bugs can stick to metal surfaces.
- Make a whole swarm of love bugs in different colors and designs!
Heart Flowers
Craft a bouquet of adorable flowers from Play-Doh using cookie cutters. These will stay fresh forever!
Supplies Needed:
- Play-Doh in pink, purple, yellow, green, etc.
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters/molds
- Plastic knife
- Floral stems, sticks or pipe cleaners
Instructions:
- Cut different sized hearts from Play-Doh with the cookie cutters for “petals”.
- Overlap and layer petals on a stem or pipe cleaner to form flower shapes.
- Use a plastic knife to add details like lines, ridges or edges to petals.
- Create bouquets with different colored flowers. Add leaves by rolling Play-Doh into oblong shapes.
- Arrange the heart flowers in small vases or pots. Lovely!
With Play-Doh and some simple supplies, kids can create an array of adorable and unique Valentine’s Day crafts. Building fine motor skills while exercising their creativity, they’ll have so much fun making heart-themed play dough art to give and display. Have a happy Valentine’s Day!
FAQs
Q: What basic supplies are needed for Play-Doh Valentine crafts?
A: Basic supplies include Play-Doh (pink, red, purple, white, etc.), heart-shaped cookie cutters/molds, plastic knives for cutting/shaping, toothpicks for imprinting details, glue, and embellishments like ribbon or googly eyes.
Q: Can Play-Doh crafts be made ahead of time for Valentine’s Day?
A: Yes, Play-Doh holds its shape very well, so many of these projects can be made 1-2 weeks in advance if kept away from heat and not handled too much. Refrigerating helps set imprinted details.
Q: How long do Play-Doh crafts last?
A: Play-Doh creations will last for weeks or longer if kept at room temperature and not constantly handled. To preserve permanently, air dry Play-Doh shapes before applying sealant spray.
Q: Are Play-Doh Valentine’s crafts safe for young kids?
A: Play-Doh brand products are non-toxic and safe for kids ages 2+. Supervise young kids and remind them not to eat Play-Doh. Most projects require parental guidance for children under 5.
Q: What are some other Play-Doh Valentine’s Day ideas?
A: More ideas include making play dough cards, roses, gift boxes/bags, picture frames, jewelry, lollipops, cupcakes and using molds to make detailed shapes like bears or hearts with words. Let kids’ creativity shine!
Conclusion
Valentine’s Day gives kids a chance to get crafty and creative with arts and crafts projects. Making Play-Doh decorations and gifts for loved ones using simple DIY techniques is a fun, screen-free activity that builds fine motor skills. Kids will be proud to give their homemade candy hearts, wreaths, animals, sun catchers and bouquets to family and friends. Make Valentine’s Day special with balloon decorations, and enhance the celebration by engaging in delightful Play-Doh crafts with your child. With adult supervision and a few basic supplies, these creative endeavors will create cherished memories that last much longer than any store-bought Valentine, spreading love through sweet homemade Play-Doh creations.
