Crafting Love with Heart Wreaths

Valentine’s Day is creeping up fast, and what better way to embrace all the heart-filled vibes than crafting with your kiddo? (Spoiler: there isn’t one.) This heart wreath project is simple, sweet, and sneaks in some preschool skills without anyone realizing they’re working. Bonus points for it being ridiculously cute when it’s done.

What You’ll Need

We’re not about complicated around here, so you probably have most of this already. Gather up:

• Construction paper
• Cardstock
• Training scissors
• Glue stick

How to Make It

1. Fold, Draw, and Cut: Grab that construction paper, fold it in half, and draw some half-heart shapes along the fold. This is where the magic happens: give your child the scissors and let them cut along the lines. Yes, it might look more “abstract art” than symmetrical perfection, but that’s part of the charm. And trust me, those little snips are secretly working wonders for their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
2. Make a Ring: Take your cardstock and cut out a large ring. (Think donut, not bracelet.) This will be your wreath base, so make it big enough to hold all those adorable little hearts.
3. Get Gluing: Now for the fun part: arrange and glue the hearts onto the wreath. Layer them, mix up colors, or let your little one freestyle it. This is where their creativity shines, and no two wreaths will look the same—kind of like a little metaphor for love, right?
4. Celebrate and Chat: As you’re crafting, take a moment to chat about Valentine’s Day—what it means, why we show love and kindness, and how to spread some extra heart-shaped cheer. Sing a song, tell a funny story, or just laugh together as glue inevitably ends up on someone’s sleeve.

Why This Craft is Sneakily Brilliant

Sure, it might seem like just another craft, but trust me, there’s a whole lot more going on here. Here’s why this is secretly a genius activity for your little one:

1. Scissor Practice

It might look like simple cutting, but it’s actually strengthening their hand muscles and improving control—key skills for future tasks like writing and buttoning shirts.

2. Gluing and Arranging Hearts

This is where creativity meets problem-solving. Your child is figuring out how to arrange and glue those hearts in the perfect way—hello, critical thinking!

3. Intentional Time Together

The real magic? You’re making memories while spending quality time. It’s more than just a craft; it’s a bonding moment.

A Little Preschool Prep in Disguise

The skills your child works on while making their heart wreath—like fine motor coordination and creative thinking—are foundational for preschool and beyond. Plus, watching them light up when they see the finished product? That’s the kind of confidence boost that sets them up to tackle anything, from finger painting to learning sight words.

So grab your glue stick and construction paper, and carve out a little time to create something special this Valentine’s Day. Whether it’s the giggles over a heart gone wonky or the pride of hanging the wreath for everyone to see, this is one of those small-but-mighty moments that stick.