Looking for some Valentine’s Day art for toddlers that you’ll love to display year after year? This is a fun (and kind of messy!) project!
I’m all too familiar with the days you get a little nutty with toddlers and/or preschoolers at home and are not quite sure what to do with them anymore. I offer no valuable solutions other than distraction!
I am by no means a professional crafter, educator, or child raiser, so the crafts I post are meant to give you hope in your abilities no matter what your skill level! Here is a throw back project with my oldest 3 years ago that we created together on a whim using materials I already had on hand.
One of the reasons I like this one is because he had fun doing it, I love the imperfections of a child’s artwork, and it gave me something to decorate with for Valentine’s Day, because I had nothing. Now I use this every year and it has sentimental value, too. Winning!

Valentine’s Day Art for Toddlers
*If you have more craft-y supplies you keep on hand, like adhesive letters, then of course use those. For the less crafty, or those that don’t want to go to the store, use what you have. That’s the greatness of this, and your child just loves the experience with you.
What you need:
- masking tape or painters tape
- old or new canvas (if you don’t have a canvas on hand, any sturdy paper, cardboard, plastic, etc. will work)
- paper plate
- paint
- paintbrush or use your fingers
First, we taped the word “LOVE” onto the blank canvas.


Next, I squirted our paint onto a paper plate. I let H dip his hands into the paint and go to town on the canvas. (I think he enjoyed himself!)

(This project does not have to be near this messy. However, it was washable paint that provided a lot of fun and took up a lot of time for this three year old. I just stuck him in the tub afterwards!)
Let the art dry completely – couple hours to be sure.
Remove the tape from the canvas leaving the shape you created behind.
Display proudly!

Looking for some more Valentine’s Day decor? Grab one of these free printables or this DIY wreath.
Originally published February 11, 2016