We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.
Non-Candy Valentines
Valentine’s Day is such a fun holiday for kids, but let’s be honest – most of us parents dread the sugar overload that follows. This year, I decided to go with class Valentines that are thoughtful, useful, and won’t end up in the trash.
For my son’s preschool class, I decided to skip the typical candy and instead opted for something practical and adorable — fun socks! He has a small class, so socks were still in budget ($14 for a pack of 12) and I love that they will get tons of use out of them throughout the year. These fun, colorful designs were perfect because they can be given to boys or girls.
I made these “You Knock My Socks Off” tags so my son can write his classmates’ names and attach them to each pair. You can download the printable at the end of this post to recreate this idea!
You could even buy some socks for your child’s teacher if you want to include them!
If socks aren’t your thing, don’t worry; here are some other non-candy ideas that are fun and functional:
Fun Character Pencils
Kids can always use more pencils, especially when they’re this fun! Pair them with a tag that says, “You’re the Write One for Me!”
Pencil Topper Erasers
Pencil toppers make a cute and useful gift. These dog or monkey pencil topper erasers are perfect for young kids. They’re both fun and functional, which makes them a win for parents and kids alike!
Pencil Grips
Kids will enjoy these comfy, squishy, colorful pencil grips. You can attach a tag that says, “You’ve Got a Grip on My Heart!”
Building Block Kits
Mini building block sets like these Valentine themed kits are great for hands-on fun. I love that these come with cards already and they provide a fun and educational activity for the kids to do. They’ll keep kids entertained long after Valentine’s Day!
Mini Highlighters
Kids love highlighters, and the fun designs on each of these make them even more cool! You can attach tags that say, “You Brighten My Day!”, or “Stay Sharp and Keep Shining!”
Water Bottle Stickers
If you want something quick and convenient, look no further! These Valentines are ready to go—just sign the back, and the waterproof, durable stickers are already attached to the other side. My boys love decorating their water bottles with stickers, so I know these will be a huge hit in any preschool or elementary classroom. Kids will have a blast personalizing their notebooks, water bottles, and more with these fun Valentine’s Day-themed stickers!
Mini Flashlights
Mini flashlights are another very entertaining, yet functional Valentine idea! Attach a tag that says, “You Light Up My Life!”
Sunglasses
These fun and colorful shades make the perfect Valentine’s treat, giving little ones a stylish accessory they can wear long after the holiday. Here are some tag ideas: “You make my world brighter!” or “Valentine, you shine!“
How To Package Your Valentines
All of these ideas are simple to put together! Here’s how to make them extra special:
– First, order some cardstock paper.
– First, order some cardstock paper.
– Next, Print your Valentine’s tags (like “You Knock My Socks Off!” or “You’re the Write One for Me!”).
– Then have your child address and sign all of the cards and cut them out.
– To assemble the valentines, tape small items directly to the card. For larger items, holepunch the card and tie it to your treat. Another easy idea is shown below: I cut strips of paper to wrap around the socks and then taped the card to the front.
– Then have your child address and sign all of the cards and cut them out.
– To assemble the valentines, tape small items directly to the card. For larger items, holepunch the card and tie it to your treat. Another easy idea is shown below: I cut strips of paper to wrap around the socks and then taped the card to the front.
– Finally, let your child help assemble the Valentines—it’s a fun craft project!
Free Printable
Want to make your own sock-themed Valentines? Download my free printable, “You Knock My Socks Off!” below!
With these ideas, you can make Valentine’s Day fun and memorable for your child’s class—without the sugar rush! Which idea is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
