Create an Adorable Decoration with This Simple Valentine's Day Craft for Kids
Looking for a Valentine's Day craft for kids that's truly adorable to decorate your house with? This pipe cleaner heart garland is the perfect project for elementary-age children who want to create something special and festive! With just pipe cleaners and a glue gun (parents, you will need to handle that part!), you'll have a beautiful handmade Valentine's Day decoration!
This Valentine's Day craft for kids combines creativity with fine motor skill development, plus kids can customize the colors and the length of their garland!
What You'll Need for the Pipe Cleaner Heart Garland
The supplies list for this Valentine's Day pipe cleaner heart garland could not be simpler! Just in case you need to stock up on anything, I've put together this easy-to-shop list for you!
- 12" Pipe Cleaners in Valentine's Day Colors (red, pink, white, purple) or could do any colors!
- Hot glue gun with glue sticks - parents will be handling this!
- Optional: Painter's tape for hanging the finished garland
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Heart Garland
Creating the Pipe Cleaner Hearts
- Fold pipe cleaner in half and make a v-shape
- Curve each end inward toward the V to create the rounded top portions
- Adjust curves and lines until both sides look symmetrical
- Twist the ends together at the top center to secure!
- Let kids experiment with different sizes by varying how much they curve
Assembling Your Garland
Once you have as many hearts as you'd like for your garland, this Valentine's Day craft for kids moves into assembly mode. Parents (or responsible adult!), you'll need to step in for the hot glue portion :)
Garland Construction:
- Have your child lay out the hearts in the pattern / color sequence that they'd like
- Parent task: Heat up the glue gun
- Parent task: Place a dot of hot glue on the widest part of one side of the heart. Then gently yet firmly press another heart's widest side into the hot glue. Wait a few seconds to allow the hearts to dry together.
- Parent task: Continue connecting until the pipe cleaner heart garland is as long as your child would like it to be!
- Allow to complete cooling before decorating with it!
Creative Variations on This Valentine's Day Craft for Kids
Color Combos That Pop
The heart-shape alone makes this a festive Valentine's Day craft for kids, so feel free to have fun with the colors!
- Ombre effect - transition from dark red through pink to white
- Metallic magic - add metallic pipe cleaners for shimmer
- Rainbow hearts - include all colors!
- Monochromatic - use just one color for a clean look
Size and Shape Variations
This Valentine's Day craft for kids can adapt to any kid's vision!
- Mini hearts using half pipe cleaners
- Jumbo hearts using two pipe cleaners twisted together (or purchase jumbo pipe cleaners)
- Mixed sizes combining large and small hearts in one garland
- Add loops or spirals
Advanced Options for Older Elementary Kids
- Threading pony beads onto the pipe cleaners before shaping
- Plan patterns with bead colors or pipe cleaner colors
Educational Benefits Beyond the Craft
This pipe cleaner heart garland Valentine's Day craft for kids isn't only a fun and festive way to create some Valentine's decor, it also naturally builds crucial skills!
Fine Motor and Hand Strength Development
- Finger dexterity and hand strength from bending and shaping pipe cleaners
- Bilateral coordination using both hands together effectively
- Eye-hand coordination when connecting pieces precisely
Problem-Solving and Spatial Skills
Cognitive Growth:
- Spatial planning visualizing how hearts connect in sequence
- Pattern recognition creating and following color patterns
- Estimation skills when judging how many hearts create their desired length
Creative Expression and Confidence Building
- Artistic expression and making creative choices
- Skill mastery feeling capable and competent with craft techniques
Your Turn to Play!
Make This Valentine's Day Extra Sweet
This pipe cleaner heart garland Valentine's Day craft for kids offers the perfect combination of simplicity, creative expression, and festive fun! Whether your child creates a short garland for their bedroom or an elaborate decoration for your mantle, they're building skills and connecting with you!
My favorite thing about this Valentine's Day craft for kids is its flexibility - you can adapt it to your child's skill level and vision. Start with just a few hearts or colors and see where their creativity takes them.
So grab those pipe cleaners, heat up that glue gun, and get ready to create some Valentine's Day magic with your kids!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on items I personally use and love with my own children.
Written by Brittany, Stay at Home Activity Mom
Brittany is a former elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom of three. Passionate about children learning through play, she began sharing her simple, hands-on, and education activities on her Instagram @stayathomeactivitymom so that other parents could see how fun this type of at-home learning can be.
