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The 45 Cutest Valentine's Day Gifts for Kids of 2024

From DIY chocolate bars to personalized teddy bears, these adorable gift ideas are great for children of all ages.

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Cute kids Valentine's Day gifts we recommend
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Real Simple / Amelia Manley

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about your significant other—it’s also a fun holiday to show your kids (or grandchildren, nieces, and nephews) how much you love them. Even though you likely do this year-round, celebrating the holiday with a Valentine’s Day gift for kids can feel extra special.

But what exactly should we be giving our children on February 14? “The first thing you’ll want to find is something age-appropriate,” says Ciara Flood, co-founder and chief gifting officer at &Open. “The next thing is to find something that shows you put thought into the gift. The holiday is all about showing love and appreciation, so the thought is the most important part of it.”

To come up with this list, we thoroughly researched the most popular gift ideas for kids based on type, price, and recommended age. We also interviewed two gifting pros—Flood, as well as Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, interior designer and lifestyle expert. Our list of cute Valentine’s Day gifts for kids includes toys, crafts, books, and stuffed animals that will make your little ones feel loved.

For a more personalized gift to give your child this Valentine’s Day that will be a little more meaningful than simply adding an item to your cart and handing it over, opt for this adorable and thoughtful book. What I Love About You is a fill-in-the-blank book with a hardback cover that, with simple yet helpful prompts, allows you to fill in everything you like, love, adore, and admire about your children. (There’s also a more specific What I Love About Being Your Mom option.) Prepare for the waterworks with this sentimental item that can be referred to in the future whenever your kid needs a little pick-me-up.

Love is a wonderfully written and illustrated book that celebrates the universal bond that connects us all—love! Though it’s stated as being suitable for children from 3 to 5 years old, it is a book that can be appreciated by kids of all ages (and even adults).

Incredibly soft and reasonably priced, the 14-inch Love-A-Lot Care Bear is cute and extremely huggable. You’d be hard-pressed to find a kid who won’t want to snuggle with this fluffy little bear. This version comes in a peachy-pink shade and features two love hearts on its belly, but it’s also available in a couple of other heart-adorned options that are equally appropriate for Valentine’s Day. (These include the purple Share Bear, the rainbow-colored Togetherness Bear, or the orange Tenderheart Bear.)

You can’t go wrong with a classic Pez dispenser—it’s both a toy and a treat in one. Help them start (or grow) their own collection with this set of two heart-shaped Pez dispensers and six candy refills.

Know a kid who loves to cook? This mini waffle maker creates heart-shaped waffles and hash browns—all they have to do is plug it in. Its cute and compact size makes it easy to store and use just about anywhere.

If you don’t want to go the toy route (we get it; they already have way too many), buy them something useful yet love-themed, like this heart-patterned water bottle from Klean Kanteen. Ideal for school, sports, playtime, and after-school activities, this 12-ounce bottle is insulated and narrow enough for even little hands to grip. Plus, it doesn’t retain odors or flavors and it’s dishwasher safe, making it a practical Valentine’s Day gift that they can use year-round.

If you’re looking for something small and economical, this handmade bracelet is the perfect pick. Available in three children’s sizes, from toddler to big kid (and also an adult version if you’d like to match with your little ones), this bracelet can be personalized with letter beads to spell your child’s name or a word of your choosing. It features red heart-shaped beads all the way around on an elastic string, making it easy to put on and take off. In addition to the bright red option, there’s also a multicolored pastel version.

When thinking of loving animals, otters—with their cute little hand holding so they don’t drift apart while floating—often come to mind. (Well, otters and dogs, that is.) I Love You Like No Otter is an adorable little board book, full of animal puns that will have both little ones and adults chuckling away. With colorful illustrations and funny storytelling, this book makes an excellent Valentine’s Day gift for kids—and a much-revisited bedtime story for little bookworms.

It may look like a simple book, but this paperback is chock-full of hours and hours of fun and entertainment for kids around the ages of 7 to 11. It consists of 180 extremely colorful pages, each of which has a different activity for kids to get their hands on. These include photo booth props, a DIY storybook, games, spot the difference, craft cutouts like pencil toppers and decorative paper loops, and so much more. Also included are extra bonuses like glitter stickers, a paper doll, and a poster.

Another Valentine’s Day gift for kids that covers practicality, the Barndröm Heart Pattern Duvet Cover and Pillowcase set from Ikea is affordable and sure to get plenty of use. Its white color with pale pink hearts can add a touch of love to your child’s bedroom, and it’s made from 100 percent cotton.

Plush, soft, and squeezable, this Squishmallow can be loved by kids of all ages. Measuring 10-inches tall, the toy is a special Valentine’s Day edition that gives Squishmallow’s original Charles the Pickle a fun new look. Featuring a small, black top hat and a heart-shaped, red monocle around his eye, this plush will give your child a snuggly companion to cherish year-long. 

For the older kids that like a bit of a brain teaser, the BePuzzled Snoopy 3D Crystal Puzzle is a great Valentine’s Day gift option. This adorable puzzle has 35 interlocking, clear plastic pieces that connect and create a sweet display of Snoopy and Woodstock sitting together on a pink heart while holding red hearts. Alternatively, this keepsake can also be taken down and reassembled like a normal puzzle for extra fun. 

How to Catch a Loveosaurus is a fun-filled book that combines beautiful illustrations with science, math, and more for an engaging story tailored toward kids in the 3 to 6 age range. The story follows a group of kids as they embark on a journey to capture a kind-hearted dinosaur that escaped from the local museum to spread kindness and joy. Along the way, the Loveosarus teaches them lessons of self-love and compassion, which kids can apply to their own lives. 

Regardless of what age you are, rainbows are stunning optical phenomena that capture the magic of nature. With the Kikkerland Solar-Powered Heart Rainbow Maker, your child can experience the beauty of rainbows from their own room. The unique maker attaches to a window and uses a solar panel to absorb sunlight that, when charged, rotates the sparkly crystal heart. The crystal then refracts the light and creates a rainbow that turns their room into a mesmerizing wonderland of color.

For the little (or big ones) that enjoy bath time and self care, this bath bomb set is an excellent pick. The set includes six colorful bubble bath bombs in delectable scents like fruit loops, tropical fruit, and rainbow sherbert, and they’re all vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, gluten free, and nut free. In each bath bomb, there is a fun-sized squishy Valentine’s Day-themed toy, like a cute teddy bear holding a heart, that gives your child that extra bit of fun in the bath.

Flower bouquets may not be a popular gift choice for a child, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give them some kind of floral arrangement to show how much you care. The LEGO Roses Building Kit requires no plant food or watering, but still gives your child a pair of roses for Valentine’s Day. This set includes 120 light green, dark green, and red pieces that, when assembled, builds 10-inch long flowers that can easily be displayed in a decorative vase. 

Water bottles don’t have to be purely functional, and the EDsportshouse Water Bottle Kit exemplifies this by allowing your child to decorate their own bottle. The kit comes with a 20-ounce purple and blue ombre bottle that also has a 100% leak-proof lid. In addition to the bottle, it also includes gemstones, cartoon stickers, an inspirational sticker, and a diamond pen and tray for a wonderful crafting experience. 

The perfect Valentine’s Day breakfast isn’t complete without pancakes and eggs, and these Norpro heart-shaped pancake and egg rings add a sweet flair to your beloved breakfast foods. The two rings hold ¼ cup of batter or one raw egg, and has enough space to add extras like fruit, chocolate chips, veggies, and more. With the nonstick coating, your child can release the cooked food from the mold with ease, and any leftover food can be wiped away before being washed. The wooden handles also never get hot and fold down for convenient drawer storage. 

Ditch the traditional heart-shaped box of chocolate this year and opt for the See’s Candies Smitten Kitten Box to wow your child. The box features a sweet illustration of two loving cats on the front and contains 15 pieces of kid-friendly candy. Each box includes red and purple Valentine’s Day sour jelly beans, milk chocolate hearts, and butterscotch and chocolate lollipops. For the little one that is a dog-lover, there is a puppy delivery box option that has a variety of chocolates to enjoy. 

This Mad Libs book may look small, but it is packed full of fun. The beloved word game book gets a Valentine’s Day twist with 21 lighthearted, fill-in-the-blank stories that center around love letters, cupid, flowers, sweets, and more. Recommended for children 8 and up, this activity-filled book is fun to do one-on-one or in a group setting. 

You can never go wrong with a cuddly, stuffed animal as a Valentine’s Day gift. This adorable penguin is a solid option for any child that wants something soft to snuggle with during car rides, naps, or play time. It has pink fur with a white belly and bright pink hearts from head to toe, and stands 9-inches tall (the perfect size for cradling!). 

This Baking DIY Activity Kit combines the hands-on fun of baking, with the reward of getting a sweet treat. It includes pre-measured, certified kosher ingredients needed to make bug-inspired cupcakes, ranging from chocolate chips and sprinkles, to necessities like baking powder and flour. Designed with kids in mind, the kit also comes with illustrated instructions, themed activities, and an educational booklet to make it a fun, learning experience for everyone.

DIY slimes have grown in popularity in recent years, and if you can’t source the individual ingredients needed to do it at home, this Elmer’s Slime Kit has everything your child needs in one convenient box. The non-toxic, six-piece kit includes one bottle of metallic pink glue, clear glue, and translucent blue glue, as well as metallic, glow in the dark, and confetti slime activators. With the provided glues and activators, your child can get creative and make endless combinations of slime that can be played with again and again.

Brain Games is known for its line of brain stimulating activities, ranging from word searches to various activity booklets. The Sticker by Number Valentine’s Day Book is a simplified version of the popular color or paint by numbers activity, all in one book. Complete with 10 Valentine's Day-themed images of varying difficulties, each page is divided into numbered spaces that correspond with a numbered sticker that matches the space. When all the stickers are placed into the corresponding space, the final product is a complete picture that can be kept in the book or torn out to display.

If you want to stray away from an all-chocolate candy box, the Dylan’s Candy Bar variety box is an excellent option. The box features a plethora of sugary-sweet delights that include sour cotton candy belts, mini chocolate hearts, chocolate-covered marshmallow bites, gummy triple hearts, and more. The assortment comes in a compartmentalized iridescent box wrapped in pink ribbon that can be kept and used for future storage needs.

Many kids want to dabble with nail polish, but between the strong smell and potential messes, it can be difficult to find products that are kid-friendly. This non-toxic nail polish set is water-based, and formulated without formaldehyde and benzophenone which are typically found in nail polish. Once applied, the polish takes a maximum of three minutes to dry and can easily peel off if your child wants to try different colors. The set includes six colored polishes, one clear polish, and one metallic silver polish.

Some of the best gifts for kids involve something they can put together and get crafty with. With the Dowsabel Clay Beads Bracelet Making Kit, your child can create a variety of personal bracelets for themselves, friends, or family. The kit has everything needed to make bracelets, including 4500 colorful pieces of flat polymer clay beads and 500 charm pieces, which, in part, consists of lettered beads. In addition to the beads and charms, the kit also comes with mini scissors, plastic tweezers, and plenty of string to create endless bracelet designs.

For the artist in the making, this art supplies kit features a variety of drawing and painting tools to have fun with. Made with safe, non-toxic ingredients, the kit comes with 241 pieces to color, paint, and draw, in addition to crayons, colored pencils, oil pastels, markers, watercolor paints, and more. The transportable kit is also equipped with both drawing and sketch paper, and has a double sided pop-up easel inside, so your child can let their creativity flow wherever they go.

For something that has greater longevity and sentimental value, a locket necklace is a great gift. This heart-shaped locket is made from sterling silver, and comes in gold, silver, and rose gold variations. Each locket can be personalized by picking a flower that corresponds to your loved ones birth month that’s engraved on the front with their name. The locket opens and can hold a picture of your choosing that is edited, printed out in high resolution, and inserted for your convenience.

A functional yet playful gift that ties into the candy theme of Valentine’s Day is the Gummygoods Squeezable Gummy Bear Night Light. Modeled after the beloved chewy candy, the squishy-textured light comes in pink, red, blue, green, and purple. To turn on the light, you simply squeeze the bear’s tummy and it will illuminate for up to 15 hours. The light measures 7-inches tall and 3-inches wide and can either sit on a nightstand or be mounted on a wall, per your child’s preference.

Stuffed animals aren’t the only cuddly thing you can get your child for Valentine’s Day. This plush, heart throw pillow from Target is perfect for little ones who love to snuggle up with a plush object during a nap. With a ribbed design and bright red color, the pillow is 16-inches tall and 14-inches wide, which also makes it a standout piece on any couch, chair, or bed. 

Though these graphic children’s pajamas from Old Navy are Valentine’s Day-themed, they can be enjoyed year round. Made from 100 percent cotton, the soft pj set comes with a matching top and bottom that can be thrown in the washer and worn repeatedly. The red top features a design that reads “snuggle monster” with an adorable monster holding a heart, while the off-white bottoms are adorned with a variety of loving, red snuggle monsters.

This adorable decorative piece from Target’s Spritz line features fabric coffee and donut figures that are smiling while holding hands and decorated with mini hearts to highlight just how sweet their bond is. The cute set can be displayed on a shelf, table, or desk even after Valentine’s Day. In addition to the coffee and donut option, there are also other variations, that include a chocolate bar and strawberry duo, Valentine avocados, and, a peanut butter and jelly duo

The character of Curious George is loved and appreciated by people across multiple generations, and in Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George, the loveable monkey helps his friend decorate the house for a Valentine’s Day celebration. The open-the-flap style book reveals surprises, like friends arriving at the door or a balloon pooping, to make it fun and interactive. Like many books in the Curious George line, the story features themes of love and friendship to warm the hearts of all who read it. 

Slow-moving but incredibly cute with their sly smile, sloths are a loveable animal amongst kids and adults alike. This precious sloth stuffed animal is 11-inches tall and can sit up straight on flat surfaces, like a bed or a dresser. It has sleepy, sunken eyes with snuggly-soft brown fur, and holds a red heart in its paw with a gentle smile on its face. 

If you loved Candy Land as a kid, why not play the classic game with your little one this Valentine’s Day? The game is suitable for children 3 and up, and doesn’t require any reading or extensive rules to learn how to play. With colorful illustrations on the board that lead to the King Candy’s castle destination, players move along the rainbow path by drawing a card that matches a corresponding block color. Whoever makes it to King Candy’s lair first wins!

Sidewalk chalk is usually something kids use during the warmer months, but that doesn’t mean they can’t bundle up and create Valentine’s Day themed designs in the winter! This sidewalk chalk set comes with 40 pieces of non-toxic, washable chalk in a variety of colors, as well as four plastic chalk holders to minimize mess. All of the pieces conveniently fit in the included clear plastic box, which has a lid and top handle to transport with ease. 

Temporary tattoos are an age-appropriate and economical gift for any kid that loves to play around with different tattoo designs. The xo Fetti Valentine’s Day Temporary Tattoos pack features 48 colored and metallic tattoos that tie into a candy theme, with designs that include donuts, ice cream cones, cupcakes, and phrases. The tattoos can easily be applied by pressing a damp paper towel onto the design, and are guaranteed to last all day. 

Hot chocolate is a fan-favorite among kids, and this DIY Hot Chocolate Bomb Kit is a fun activity that yields a delicious result at the end. The kit includes hot chocolate packets, two silicone molds, melting chocolate, pink chocolate drizzle, sprinkles, party confetti, and mini marshmallows to customize each bomb. Once the bomb is assembled, place it in a heatproof mug, cover it with milk, and watch the magic happen! 

For a calming activity that kids and adults can enjoy, this Valentine’s Day Paint Kit comes with everything needed to paint a love-themed picture. It includes four, 4-inch birchwood cutout designs that range from a bird holding a heart-shaped balloon, to a sweet bear holding a bouquet of hearts. Along with the cutouts, the kit also comes with a paint brush and red, pink, and light purple acrylic paints. 

If you’re looking for something that isn’t blatantly themed for Valentine’s Day, this heart-shaped Himalayan salt lamp makes for a great gift for kids. The lamp is made from 100 percent Himalayan salt crystal and has a sleek wooden base that’s perfect for placement on most desks, tabletops, or shelves. The LED, color-changing bulb can light up in 7 different colors, and charges with the provided USB cable. 

If your little one has a knack for crafts, this candle making kit makes for a wonderful Valentine’s Day activity for the both of you. The kit comes with everything you need to make a set of vibrant candles, including wax, molds, wicks, and more. What’s especially fun about this kit are the different shapes you can create, ranging from five-pointed stars to classic hearts to ring in the holiday. Just be sure to supervise your little one while they’re melting the wax for their candle!

Give your favorite little one a sweet and savory treat this Valentine’s Day with The Popcorn Factory Valentine Delivery Box. This gift box comes with an assortment of popcorn flavors such as classic chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, and ranch, alongside flavored mini pretzels, Fun Dip, and sour gummy hearts. All of this is contained in an adorable red treasure box adorned with candy heart illustrations and white polka dots for an extra seasonal touch.

For young ones who are getting the hang of coloring, My First Big Book of Valentine’s Day is a special gift that offers several hours of artistic entertainment. The book has almost 200 pages for little ones to get lost in, and each Valentine’s Day-themed design features large outlines to give them plenty of space to fill in — or draw outside of.

Bathtime can turn into a fun art activity for your little one this Valentine’s Day with the Crayola Bathtub Fingerpaint set. The set comes with five bold colors, including Radical Red and Flamingo Pink if you want to stick to the traditional holiday colors. The paint washes off without a trace, so you don’t have to worry about staining your tub or walls. As with most color and paint materials, be sure to supervise your little one to ensure they aren’t ingesting the product!

Questions You Might Ask

How much should you spend on a Valentine’s Day gift for kids?

Valentine’s Day gifts for kids can range from a couple of bucks to around $20–$30, and Malarkey says it depends on your budget. However, there isn’t a set rule for how much you should spend on Valentine’s Day gifts for your children. 

“It’s a holiday all about love, which means it’s really about the thought,” Flood says. “You want to make sure the gift you’re sending has meaning and shows that you care about the person you’re sending it to more than how much you spend on it.”

Should you give your kids chocolates or something non-edible for Valentine’s Day?

Whether you settle on giving your kids chocolates, candy, or other non-edible goodies on Valentine’s Day is always a matter of personal preference. Chocolates, just like the holiday itself, are sweet and can be a symbolic gesture. 

Chocolates are a Valentine’s Day classic and I’m sure most kids will be excited to get a box all to themselves,” says Flood. “If you want to give chocolates, do it in a way they’ll remember like creating a scavenger hunt to find the box.”

Non-edible gifts, on the other hand, have the added perk of lasting longer and could be kept as a keepsake forever. “I’d recommend giving them something that creates a memory so that for years to come, your kids will look back on Valentine’s Day and remember the loving day they had with their parents through memorable experiences,” Flood adds. 

Can’t decide? You can always give them a box of chocolate along with a non-edible gift. “One year, in addition to chocolates, I got the kids mugs with their initials on them,” Malarkey says. “It was really sweet, personalized, and cute.”

What are some last-minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas for kids?

Some major online retailers offer next-day shipping, so it’s easier than ever to get last-minute gifts for Valentine’s Day from Amazon, for example. Malarkey recommends creating a Valentine’s Day basket with a few items (think: chocolates, candies, socks, and a cute piece of jewelry or a pair of sunglasses). Or, there are plenty of curated Valentine's Day gift basket options available if you don't have time to put something together yourself.

If you’re a parent shopping for a Valentine’s Day gift for kids at the last minute, Flood suggests looking for something that you can do together with the children, “like a fun puzzle or a coloring set, which you can then set up at home for a Valentine’s Day family activity night.” 

Malarkey also enjoys activity-based gifts that create memories, which can be simple to plan at the last minute. ​”Traditionally, we always make together heart-shaped sugar cookies with a delicious frosting glaze on top. They’re so yummy, and the kids love it,” she says.

What are some other cool Valentine’s Day ideas for kids?

The most important thing about having a successful Valentine’s Day celebration for your kids is to make it fun and memorable. “Valentine’s Day is a day meant for love, appreciation, and care,” says Flood. “It’s easy to get hung up on trying to find the perfect gift, but don’t lose sight of what the day is all about. Remember that the most thoughtful gifts are the ones that people will appreciate the most and remember year after year.”

To make February 14 extra special, you can decorate the house in the days leading up to it and get the kids involved with crafts. “I cut out hearts in different shades of red, pink, and white, and just hang them from the ceiling in the kitchen, surprising the kids in the morning,” says Malarkey. “It’s super simple and sweet. I always write a special card to each of my children with a special message that lets them know how much I love them and that they’re my Valentine.”

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce-writing experience. For this article, she researched a variety of Valentine's Day gifts for kids, and considered factors such as each item’s price, suitability for children, and value for money. Kat also spoke to Chantelle Hartman Malarkey, interior designer, home chef, and lifestyle expert; and Ciara Flood, the co-founder and chief gifting officer at &Open. Alicia Geigel, a contributing writer for Real Simple, and Xavier Piedra, a commerce editor at Real Simple, also updated this list.

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