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Valentine Craft for Preschoolers

Valentine craft for preschoolers.

Crafting with my son is the best! I am always looking out for new things to try. I was at Target and saw a tub of air dry clay and thought it would be perfect. Read on to see my Valentine craft for preschoolers.

My son’s friend gave him some very sweet salt dough ornaments for Christmas and that inspired this project. You can use these hearts as hanging decorations or gift tags.

Since air-dry clay comes ready to use, this project is easy and quick.

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Gather your supplies.

Valentine crafts for preschoolers. Airdry clay crafts

As I said above, I found the air dry clay at Target in their craft supply aisle. The cookie cutters also came from there! We started to mix the clay on the table, but it was too sticky. I grabbed some of our scrap wood (pays to be a hoarder sometimes ha ha).

The wood was perfect. I grabbed a dough scraper and rolling pin from the kitchen. I’ve seen people use canned food as a rolling pin substitute! Lastly, I had a cup of water to help soften the clay and an old towel to wipe our hands.

Roll out the clay.

Valentine crafts for preschoolers.

My little guy is 4 years old and he did great with the rolling pin. He has helped pizza dough and other doughs, so he already had the general idea. You wouldn’t want to have a shape too thin or too thick.

Valentine crafts for preschoolers.

Here you can see my little guy has his heart shaped cookie cutter in place. He is dipping his hands in water to soften the shape a bit.

Poke a hole in the hearts for your string.

Valentine crafts for preschoolers.

I think my son had as much fun getting messy with clay and water! While that kept him occupied, I created holes in the hearts with the tip of an old mechanical pencil. My plan was to tie string to give to people as a hanging valentine, instead of a card. Or to use them as gift tags.

Paint your dried hearts.

Valentine's Day crafts for preschoolers. Airdry clay and paint

After a few days drying, (package states to dry for one to two days) we set to paint. I had some paints left over from fall and Christmas that worked fine.

I had read ahead of time that acrylic paints work. I also read that spray paint can work.

Make sure to cover your surfaces before painting!

Valentine crafts for preschoolers.

My son chose the colors he liked most. He mixed some colors together and had fun seeing what the results would be.

Use your hearts for gifting!

Valentine's Day crafts. Clay hearts

After the paint dried, I tied string through the hearts. I had bought a couple plants to gift to neighbors and used the hearts as gift tags. We will leave these on neighbor’s doorsteps to spread a little cheer.

This was a great rainy day activity that was pretty perfect for a preschool aged child. Of course adults can get creative and make vases, trinket dishes, ornaments with delicately carved designs. Next up we will have to try some salt dough!

Have you tried air dry clay or salt dough? Do you have a preference? Leave me a note in comments. I love to hear feedback. Thanks for reading!

Look at all these cute V-day finds!

Pin This To Read Later!

Air-dry Clay Valentine Craft for Preschoolers

Don’t leave just yet!

I’ve gathered some more Valentine inspiration. Take a look at these great ideas.

How to make heart tassel earrings.

Simple Valentine’s Day crafts.

DIY Dollar Tree candy favors.

Handmade Valentine cards.

A Valentine yarn heart garland.

Repurposing Christmas decor for Valentine’s.

DIY heart using buttons.

DIY heart explosion card.

Resin metal glitter heart DIY.

A Valentine cocktail.

Heart pillow with vintage buttons.

Love sheet music wreath.

Valentine dipped pretzel rods.

Grapevine heart wreath DIY.

A whole slew of ideas!

DIY block scribble art.

4 easy Valentine DIY’s.

Simple wooden dough bowl DIY.

Free printable Valentine cards.

A Valentine’s Day love sign.

Shell trinket dish with heart doodles.

29 thoughts on “Valentine Craft for Preschoolers”

  1. So cute Marie! I think I might have to do this with my kids! I’ve been wanting to try air clay since featuring those air clay Christmas’s ornaments on my Christmas decor round up post. Such a great idea and I bet the kids would live it. Mine love any excuse to play with cookie cutters 😊

  2. These are seriously so cute! I love how they came together and how you guys took some time to craft and create together too. These would definitely make the perfect addition to any Valentine gift. Hope your day has been a special one, CoCo

    1. Aw thank you CoCo! After my son’s friend gave him some salt dough ornaments, he was so excited to make someone similar. We already started to gift them to neighbors and even mailed them to family. I think everyone needs a little extra love this year ❤

    1. Thank you Kim! Living in a different state than the majority of our family, we try to do things like this to stay connected. And we like to surprise neighbors once in a while too 😊

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  4. Your clay hearts are just adorable and what sweet memories you’re making with your son! I’m so excited to feature your post this week at the Tuesday Turn About Link Party! Hope to see you there!

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  6. Marie, I love crafts that the whole family can do together. It makes it much more fun.
    Air dry clay is new to me, and I will eventually get around to trying it out. Thanks for sharing at Friday with Friends party!

  7. Pingback: DIY Valentine's Decor - This Dear Casa

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