This Valentine Hugs project is a classic. It’s been around for years and years and I probably even made one when I was a little girl! It’s a great project for preschoolers and they absolutely love the accordion arms.
Why we love this project
Because this is such an easy craft, younger kids can enjoy making it. Preschoolers can work on their dexterity using scissors and folding the arms and legs.
It makes a great homemade gift to give to parents or grandparents. That’s why we call him Valentine Hugs!
Helpful Project Information:
- Age Level: 4 and up
- Mess Factor: Low
- Level of Difficulty: Easy
- Time to Complete: Less than 30 minutes
- Cost Estimate: Less than $1.00
Craft supplies you will need
You can print the heart pattern here.
How to a Make Valentine Hugs
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!
- Using the heart pattern, print one large and four small hearts onto red construction paper. You can also print onto white paper and use as a template.
- Cut out the hearts.
- Cut white construction paper into 4 strips, about 1.5-inches wide. Cut 2-inches off of two of the strips (arms).
- Fold the strips accordion style in a back and forth pattern.
- For the arms, glue a white accordion strip to the back of the left side of the heart. Repeat for the right side.
- For the legs, glue a white accordion strip to the back lower left side of the heart. Repeat for the right side.
- Glue the two small hearts to the ends of the arms and the other two small hearts to the ends of the legs.
- Glue the two googly eyes to the large heart and use the black marker to add a smile.
- If you want some sparkle, pipe pink glitter glue on for cheeks.
- Allow the glitter glue to dry completely.
Expert Crafting Tips
- For a group setting it might be easier to make multiple copies of the pattern to hand out to each table of children.
- For some sparkle, use a bottle of pink glitter glue to pipe a glittery border around the hands, feet, and head.
- If construction paper doesn’t fit nicely into your printer, print the heart template on regular paper and trace onto construction paper.
- You can attach a magnet to the back of the large heart to hang on the fridge!
This cute Valentine Hugs craft is easy to make and the kids love making them! We hope you enjoy this project.
More Valentine’s Day Crafts
- Heart Suncatcher
- Printable Valentine Bingo
- Twirling Lovebugs
- Secret Message Valentine
- Scratch Off Valentine Gift Certificates
- Free Valentine Printables
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Valentine Hugs
Supplies
- Red and white construction paper
- 2 large googly eyes
- Pink craft foam or construction paper
- Heart pattern
- Pink glitter glue optional
Craft tools
- Glue stick
- Black pen or marker
Instructions
- Print one large and four small hearts onto red construction paper. You can also print onto white paper and use as a template.
- Cut out the hearts.
- Cut white construction paper into 4 strips, about 1.5-inches wide. Cut 2-inches off of two of the strips (arms).
- Fold the strips accordion style in a back and forth pattern.
- For the arms, glue a white accordion strip to the back of the left side of the heart. Repeat for the right side.
- For the legs, glue a white accordion strip to the back lower left side of the heart. Repeat for the right side.
- Glue the two small hearts to the ends of the arms and the other two small hearts to the ends of the legs.
- Glue the two googly eyes to the large heart and use the black marker to add a smile.
- If you want some sparkle, pipe pink glitter glue on for cheeks. Allow the glitter glue to dry completely.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- For a group setting it might be easier to make multiple copies of the pattern to hand out to each table of children.
- For some sparkle, use a bottle of pink glitter glue to pipe a glittery border around the hands, feet, and head.
- If construction paper doesn’t fit nicely into your printer, print the heart template on regular paper and trace onto construction paper.
- You can attach a magnet to the back of the large heart to hang on the fridge!
This post originally appeared here on Jan 11, 2021.
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Dianne says
Such a cute project! I would love to do this with my granddaughter, I just can’t figure out how to print the small hearts. The large one prints out fine, but I don’t see the small ones.
Mary Haug says
Amanda,
Love your site…I am a Grandmother of 11 and a former Pre-school teacher. I will be using your ideas to share with my grandchildren. God bless, Mary
Diane says
A very fun crafts for 3 and up great for practising cutting work in daycare we will have children make them for mom and dad thanksAmanda
Pat says
This can be done with a paper jack-o-lantern and black arms and legs. Too stinkin’ cute!!