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 with cute bouncy accordion arms.

Why we love this project

Because this Valentine hugs is such an easy craft, younger kids can also join in on the fun. Preschoolers can work on their dexterity using scissors along with folding the arms and legs. It’s very similar to our Shamrock Man, which can be made for St. Patrick’s Day next!

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.

Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.

How to 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!

1. 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.
2. Cut out the hearts.
3. Cut white construction paper into 4 strips, about 1.5-inches wide. Cut 2-inches off of two of the strips (arms).
4. Fold the strips accordion style in a back and forth pattern.
5. For the arms, glue a white accordion strip to the back of the left side of the heart. Repeat for the right side.
6. For the legs, glue a white accordion strip to the back lower left side of the heart. Repeat for the right side.
7. Glue the two small hearts to the ends of the arms and the other two small hearts to the ends of the legs.
8. Glue the two googly eyes to the large heart and use the black marker to add a smile.
9. If you want some sparkle, pipe pink glitter glue on for cheeks.
10. 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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This post originally appeared here on Jan 11, 2021.