15 Fun + Affordable Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Kids
Save the cards and candy for class, and surprise your kiddo with a little something off this list.
Some of my best memories of Valentine's Day as a kid have very little to do with classroom parties and candy hearts and more to do with all the sweet surprises that my dad would bring home. One year, he walked through the front door with a pink teddy bear tucked behind his back. And the year after that? He gave me a jewelry box with a ballerina inside that danced to music when I opened it.
Suffice it to say, thoughtful little gifts can go a long way to making your kid feel loved and appreciated. (Thanks for setting the standard, Dad!) If you want to start a new tradition and show your small sweetheart some extra affection this year, I suggest you keep scrolling to see my fun and affordable gift ideas.
We're all for a Valentine's Day gift that promotes cuddles and quality time with their favorite parent. If your kiddo loves a good bedtime story, treat them to Love Monster by Rachel Bright. The board book is ideal for newborns to three-year-olds and follows L.M. (that adorable red creature on the cover) as he searches for someone who will love him just the way he is.
Capture their first Valentine's Day in the cutest way possible — with a photo in these darling "Be Mine" footie pajamas. The festive onesie is made from 100-percent-cotton, has zipper and snap closures for easy changing, and is available in six different sizes. It's definitely more of a splurge, but it's also a gift for Mom and Dad...so it evens out, right?
Make their bath time way more fun with a set of these special Munchkin Bath Crayons. The kit comes with five colors that your little cutie can use to doodle hearts or even practice writing their name. And best of all? The markings wash right off.
Squishmallows are all the rage right now. Earn squeals of delight from your kiddo by presenting them with one of their very own — preferably something pink, like this octopus.
Be prepared for your little buddy to roar with delight when he opens this giant gummy dinosaur. The green apple-flavored treat weighs an entire pound and comes ready-to-gift in a box that reads, "You Are Dino-Mite."
If your little one's always pleading for you to paint their nails, too, use this wash-off polish set to treat them to a special "Mom and Me" spa day. The box comes with one bottle of glittery-purple nail polish, plus one tube of blackberry-flavored lip gloss.
Spread the love and laughs by gifting your cutie a copy of Valentine's Day Jokes for Kids. Inside the paperback book, they'll find hundreds of puns, zingers and one-liners themed after the holiday. But fair warning: They'll definitely want to share them with the whole family!
What do you get a pre-teen, you ask? Try these trendy heart-shaped string lights. The soft pink bulbs will bathe her space in a gentle glow and add a hint of Valentine's Day whimsy to the spot above her desk or bed. They're a little more expensive, but will last for years to come.
Leave your son or daughter a love note that only they can see with this Secret Message Writing Set. They'll feel like a secret agent as they use the UV "blacklight" cap to reveal invisible ink!
We can picture the note now: "I'm Wild About You!" This 224-piece LEGO kit is perfect for kids ages 7 and up, and encourages them to bring three different safari animals (a lion, ostrich and warthog) to life. It's basically three toys in one and guaranteed to keep them occupied for a few hours.
Put a playful spin on the traditional Valentine's Day bouquet and gift your tween this rose-covered picture frame. They can use the easel-style back to prop it up on their nightstand and fill it with a photo of the family. (Or, if that's wishful thinking, their best buddies.)
Show your Star Wars-loving sweetheart that you totally get it with a limited edition Funko Pop! for their desk or bookshelf. Current options include a red-pink-and-white Chewbacca or Yoda, and each one has a punny Valentine's Day message written on the stand.
Sometimes less is more, you know? If she's exercising her independence and using her Instax Mini to document it, equip her camera with a new pack of pink lemonade film. She really will appreciate the thought and get great use out of the gift.
Here's another cheeky gift just for your teen: A heart-shaped mirror for their vanity. The simple yet stylish design features a smart-touch button that turns on LED lights, as well as an integrated catch-all tray base to hold their favorite products, jewelry and more.
What better message to send your teen on Valentine's Day than "You are loved no matter how you feel"? Pair this sweet sunshine-yellow print with a white or wood frame, and leave it on their desk where they can always see it.
