Make Homemade Play Dough Valentines

Ditch the store-bought valentines and try something new this year. The kids will love helping you make homemade, heart-shaped play dough to hand out to friends and classmates.

Original_Marianne-Canada-Heart-Playdough-Beauty2_s4x3

Follow Marianne on:

Materials Needed:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1/3 cup hot water
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • red food coloring
  • wax paper
  • rolling pin
  • heart-shaped cookie cutter
  • glassine bags
  • card stock
  • scallop-edge scissors
  • hole punch
  • double-sided tape
  • ribbon

Instructions

Mix together flour and salt in bowl. Gradually add hot water, oil and a few drops of food coloring. Stir to combine. If dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour. If dough is too dry, add a few more drops of water.

Original_Marianne-Canada-Playdough-Valentines-Step1_s4x3

Turn dough out onto wax paper. Knead until smooth (Image 1). Roll to 1/2-inch thickness with rolling pin (Image 2).

Cut out heart shapes (Image 1). You can re-roll excess dough to cut more hearts (Image 2).

Carefully place play dough hearts in glassine bags.

Cut card stock to fit top of glassine bags, fold in half (Image 1). Cut edge with scalloped scissors (Image 2).

Tape card stock to bags with double-sided tape (Image 1). Punch holes in top and tie with ribbon (Image 2).

Original_Marianne-Canada-Playdough-Valentines-Step4_s4x3

Next Up

Ganache-Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Chocolate chip cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. Add a layer of ganache and you have an award-winning dessert that any chocolate lover will devour.

Giant M&M Cookies Recipe

Try this nostalgic cookie recipe that mixes M&M's into classic sugar cookie dough for a treat that's soft, chewy and delicious as ever.

Make Valentine's Day Conversation Heart Cookies

This Valentine's Day, swap chalky conversation heart candies for colorful (and delicious!) vanilla sandwich cookies stamped with custom messages.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Cookie Truffles Recipe

Original chocolate truffles have graced birthday, potluck and holiday parties for years. These truffles provide a little twist on the classic recipe and combine everyone's favorite duo: chocolate and strawberries.

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes Recipe

Nothing goes together quite like strawberries and chocolate. Add some chantilly cream and you have a pretty sweet trio.

Heritage Red Velvet Cake Recipe

This cake gets its heart shape from a hand-drawn template and serrated knife — no specialty pans required here.

Homemade Valentine's Day Mints Recipe

These homemade candy hearts will surely impress your valentine. You can even add their favorite color or flavoring for an extra-special touch.

Better Than Heaven Cakelettes Recipe

Nothing is better than layers of caramel and chocolate-covered toffee chunks mixed in with whipped topping and chocolate cake, all packaged nice and neat in your own personal jar.

Cupid's Crispie Treats Recipe

These little crispie treats are spiced up just a bit with the addition of cinnamon imperials. We gave ours a sweet twist by inserting arrows straight from Cupid's bow.

Chocolate Soup (for Two) Recipe

Chocolate soup is a fun and unexpected way to end Valentine's Day dinner. Silky and indulgent, this recipe generously serves two. Use bittersweet chocolate chips or your favorite brand of chocolate bar.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

About HGTV

HGTV’s expert editors and writers share home decorating, garden and home improvement ideas, inspiration and advice based on our brand’s 30+ years of expertise and experience. We also give you the latest updates on HGTV shows and stars, cleaning tips and shopping recommendations. Learn more about us and our editorial standards.