Homemade Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Kids

The best way to come up with unique Valentine's Day gifts for kids it to get creative. When you make homemade gifts, you can save money while creating personalized gifts that you child will love. These Valentine's Day gifts are updated versions of the tried and true gifts for kids. No matter which gift you choose, be sure to include a homemade Valentine's Day card to make it complete.

Valentine's Day Box for School

Get a cardboard box that you no longer need. Also find some colored paper such as construction paper or Valentine's Day gift wrapping paper. Cut a small slit in the box large enough to fit school-sized kids' Valentine's Day cards. Wrap the entire box in the paper, cutting the paper so that it goes around the slit. Then cut out small decorations such as hearts, cupids, roses and Valentine's Day messages from construction paper, old magazines and advertising flyers. Attach the decorations with a glue stick. You can personalize this homemade Valentine's Day gift by making decorations specifically for a certain child. For example, if the child loves sports, animals, music or jewelry, decorate the box with pictures of his or her favorite things.

Teddy Bear Valentine's Gift Basket

Get a medium to large teddy bear and a wicker gift basket. Place some shredded white, pink or red paper at the bottom of the basket. Set the teddy bear at the back of the basket. Personalize the basket with gifts you know your child will love. For example, place some Valentine's Day chocolates inside and include some of your child's favorite toys. Boys may enjoy gifts like action figures, sports memorabilia, building blocks or toy cars. Girls would probably like gifts such as small dolls, pens and pencils, stationery, craft kits, card games and fashion accessories.

Conversation Heart Cookies

Find a large heart shaped cookie cutter. Gather the following ingredients to make this simple sugar cookie recipe.

1 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups white granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Waxed paper
Gel paste food coloring in several colors

Mix the butter with the sugar using an electric mixer on a medium setting. Add the eggs, the corn syrup and the vanilla. Beat the recipe ingredients again until they're well blended. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and beat with the mixer at low speed. Divide the dough into quarters and place them the refrigerator in plastic bags for at least an hour. Place some waxed paper down on a work surface and spread it with some flour. Remove the dough from the refrigerator, knead it slightly and roll it out on the waxed paper to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut the dough with the heart shaped cookie cutters and place the cookies on a baking sheet with three inches between each cookie. Bake the heart cookies at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 to 9 minutes.

As the cookies are baking, mix up some cookie frosting with 1 pound of powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon butter and a few teaspoons of water. Add the water a teaspoon at a time until it's the right consistency. Use the frosting to make pink, white and red frosting in separate bowls. Allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting them.

Place some gel paste food coloring in a food-safe plastic bag. Make a small cut in one corner of the bag. Carefully draw Valentine's Day messages on the conversation heart cookies. Use conversation heart sayings like "UR KIND," "LOVE YOU," "MY BABY," "BE GOOD," "YOU RULE" and "SWEET HEART." Also try to come up with personalized sayings geared toward the child who will receive the cookies. Wrap the Valentine's Day cookies in food safe plastic wrap and set them in a wicker gift basket.

For more ideas, read Valentine's Day Crafts for Kids and Homemade Valentine's Day Cards for Kids.