Spread the Love on a Budget 5 Dollar Store Classroom Valentines

Q: Can I get away with making these valentines the night before Valentine's Day, or am I asking for trouble?

While technically you *could* pull an all-nighter, we strongly advise against it! You'll be like a character in a Shakespearean tragedy of glue and glitter! Give yourself at least a few days to gather supplies and assemble the valentines. This will make the process much more enjoyable (and less stressful) for both you and your little ones. Plus, it's more fun when you're not rushing!

5 Classroom Valentines You Can DIY Dollar Store Deals

By Mia WestlakeSeptember 15, 2025

5.00 (1 Ratings)

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction: Dollar Store Valentine's Day Crafts For Kids

Ever get that sinking feeling when Valentine's Day rolls around? Especially when you have to buy stuff for the whole class? Honestly, I've been there.

So, let's talk about 5 Classroom Valentines You Can Make Using Dollar Store Finds! This isn't just any Valentine's Day craft.

These are fun, easy, and most importantly, won't break the bank. These cute little treasures make perfect Friend Valentine Gifts .

Love on a Budget

These DIY classroom valentines are designed to save you time and money. We're talking about turning Dollar store valentines into something truly special.

These are more than just Valentine Gifts For Kids , they're a way to show you care without going overboard.

These Cheap Valentine's Day ideas are perfect for parents looking to get crafty with their kids!

Quick & Easy Valentine's Day

These aren't some fussy, complicated crafts. They're easy enough for kids to help. Expect to spend around 15- 30 minutes per valentine.

You can easily knock out a whole classroom set in an afternoon. Each valentine is designed to be a single serving of adorableness.

And they're fun to make.

Benefits Beyond the Budget

Crafting helps kids develop fine motor skills and creativity. Plus, Non-candy valentines for school can be a great way to be more inclusive for children with allergies.

They're perfect for classroom exchanges. What makes these valentines special? They're heartfelt, handmade, and show a little extra love. Plus, they are great Valentine's Day Crafts For Kids .

Ready to dive into the supplies? I'm excited to show you Printable Valentines for kids .

Next up, ingredients and how to prepare the Valentine Gifts For Kids!

Alright, let's dive into the bits and bobs you'll need for these 5 Classroom Valentines You Can whip up! I’m honestly so excited about these.

Ingredients & Equipment

Let's break down what you'll need. No fancy stuff, I promise! We’re talking dollar store valentines , remember? This is all about cheap Valentine's Day ideas ! We are focusing on Valentine Gifts For Kids .

Main Ingredients

For the "You're O-FISH ally My Friend!" Valentine:

Clear treat bags: (US: 2.5 x 6 in , Metric: approx. 6.35 x 15 cm ). Snag these at the dollar store.
Goldfish crackers: Individual serving size. Again, dollar store or grocery.
Blue construction paper: (US: 8.5 x 11 in , Metric: A4). You know the drill.
Glue stick: A basic glue stick will do.
Scissors: Any ol' pair will work.
Black Marker: A Sharpie's ideal.
Printer/Paper: Only if you want to print the tags.

Quality indicators? For the Goldfish, make sure the bag is sealed. You don't want stale fish!

Seasoning Notes

Essential spice combinations: N/A since we're not cooking.
Flavor enhancers and aromatics: Nope! But feel free to add glitter or stickers!
Quick substitution options: Use non-candy valentines for school by swapping Goldfish for small erasers or stickers. Easy peasy!

These DIY classroom valentines are all about flexibility.

Equipment Needed

Scissors: Essential for cutting paper and tags.
Glue Stick: For sticking things. Obviously.
Marker/Pens: For writing messages.
Printer: (Optional) For printing tags.

That’s all you need! No special gadgets, just the basics. Some say Valentine's Day Crafts For Kids have to be super complicated, but that is not true.

If you want to do an Orange You Glad Card , or even just spread the Orange You Glad fun, orange cardstock will be a nice addition.

These Friend Valentine Gifts will show your friends how much you care for them, without costing a fortune.

Honestly, the best part is how adaptable these are. You can use them for anything you can dream up!

Right, let's dive into making some super cute DIY classroom valentines . Forget those pricey store-bought things! We're doing this on a budget.

Think dollar store valentines that are actually adorable. We're going to make 5 Classroom Valentines You Can totally nail!

Getting Ready for Valentine's Day Crafts For Kids

Before we even think about glitter, let’s get our ducks in a row. This is what the pros call mise en place . Basically, have everything ready.

Essential Prep

Grab all your bits and bobs. Scissors, glue sticks, construction paper, the lot. Keep it all in one spot. Honestly, hunting for stuff mid-craft is a pain. I speak from experience!

Time Saving Tips

Do a little prep beforehand. Print out any labels or sayings you're using. Cut out shapes in advance. It'll save you heaps of time.

This will help you to create cool Valentine Gifts For Kids .

Safety First!

Sharp scissors are for grown ups only. Kids, stick to the blunted ones. And remind everyone not to eat the glue! You know, the usual stuff.

I wouldn't want any ER visits ruining our Friend Valentine Gifts .

Let's Make Some Valentines: "You're O-FISH ally My Friend!"

This is a super cute and easy Non-candy valentines for school idea. Plus, everyone loves goldfish, right?

Print or hand write "You're O-FISH ally My Friend!" on blue paper. Then, cut it into tags.
Fill the treat bags with Goldfish crackers.
Fold the top of the bag over. Glue the tag to the front. Easy peasy!
Get creative. Slap on some stickers if you're feeling fancy.
You can print Printable Valentines for kids for an even quicker solution.

Pro Tips from Me to You

Want to make these valentines even better? Let's see how we can add some touches.

Clever Tricks

Buy supplies in bulk! Dollar store valentines are only a bargain if you don't buy one at a time. Get a head start.

Don't leave it until the last minute. Trust me on this one.

Avoid Messes

Use glue sticks for kids. Less mess, more fun. Orange You Glad Card can also be created with glue sticks.

That said, if you are doing something like making a Orange You Glad card and don't have glue sticks, get the children to use a paintbrush, that way they use a small amount and are not tempted to play with glue.

make-ahead Magic

You can prep all the tags ahead of time. Get the kids involved in decorating closer to the day. Cheap Valentine's Day ideas often involve stages and preparation!

Honestly, making your own valentines is so much better than buying them. It's more personal and way more fun. You can even get the kids involved and turn it into a family activity.

Let's ditch the generic cards this year and get crafting!

Recipe Notes for 5 Classroom Valentines You Can Make

Alright, so you're armed with your dollar store goodies. Let's talk about making these DIY classroom valentines extra special, shall we? I mean, nobody wants a Pinterest fail, right? Especially when Valentine Gifts For Kids are involved.

Super Cute Serving Suggestions

Okay, picture this: your kiddo proudly hands out these adorable valentines. But how do we make them pop ? Plating and presentation matter, even for little treats.

Think about using colourful little baskets or a cute Valentine's Day-themed tablecloth when assembling them.

For drinks, a simple homemade lemonade or pink lemonade makes everything feel fancy . If you're doing the Orange You Glad card, maybe a few orange slices on the side? These Valentine's Day Crafts For Kids are supposed to be fun, so don't overthink it!

Spot-On Storage Tips

Okay, honestly, storage for these cheap Valentine's Day ideas isn't usually a big deal. But, if you’re making them ahead, here’s the lowdown.

The Goldfish ones should stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week.

Freezing is generally not recommended for any of these, especially the food related ones. Reheating? Nah, these are ready to go. Simple is key.

Clever Variations on Valentine Gifts For Kids

Look, we all know about allergies and dietary needs. It's important! So, non-candy valentines for school are a lifesaver. I love swapping out the Goldfish with small erasers or stickers you can grab from the dollar store .

Seasonal swaps? For the Orange You Glad Card , maybe use clementines if oranges are out of season. Just keep it cheap Valentine's Day ideas !

Nutrition Basics

Okay, the Goldfish ones are the only ones with actual calories. Each bag has roughly 140 calories. It has 3 grams of protein, 5 grams of fat, and 20 grams of carbs.

Obviously, the erasers and stickers are calorie free.

Honestly, these Friend Valentine Gifts are more about the sentiment than the nutrition. So, don't sweat it too much. Unless the kid eats the eraser. Then you might have a problem. Haha.

Time to Shine!

These printable valentines for kids are all about fun. Don't stress about perfection. Just grab your supplies, get creative, and spread some love this Valentine's Day.

And remember, these dollar store valentines are all about saving money. Happy crafting!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of supplies do I really need to make these 5 Classroom Valentines You Can create? Will I really find everything at the dollar store?

The beauty of these valentines is their simplicity! You'll need basic craft supplies like scissors, glue sticks, and markers, which you likely already have. Then, it's all about those dollar store finds! Think small treat bags, goldfish crackers (or other small treats), construction paper, and maybe some fun stickers.

We've specifically designed these to be budget friendly and accessible, so yes, the goal is to find the majority of supplies at your local dollar store. You might need to hit up the supermarket for the goldfish, though.

I'm not exactly a crafty person. Are these valentines really easy to make? I'm talking "can't draw a stick figure" level of un-crafty.

Absolutely! We've designed these with the "artistically challenged" (as you so eloquently put it!) in mind. These are more about assembling and decorating than intricate crafting. Think of it as more "Blue Peter" than a professional art project.

The instructions are super clear and step-by-step, and they mainly involve cutting, gluing, and maybe a little writing. If you can wield a pair of scissors and a glue stick, you're golden!

How much time will it actually take to make a whole class set of these valentines? I'm a busy parent, so time is precious!

We totally get that time is tight! Budget about 15-30 minutes per valentine design, per child. Gathering the supplies and setting up will probably take around 30 minutes initially. So, for a class of, say, 25 kids, and making one design only, plan for roughly 1-2 hours total.

To save time, consider prepping some of the elements (like printing tags) ahead of time.

My child's classroom is nut-free/has other allergy restrictions. Can I easily adapt these "5 Classroom Valentines You Can Make Using Dollar Store Finds" to be allergy friendly?

Definitely! This is super important. The non-candy options are your best bet here. Instead of goldfish or other snacks, opt for small toys, stickers, erasers, or pencils from the dollar store. Always double check the packaging of any food items you do include to ensure they're safe for children with allergies.

Communicate with the teacher and parents to understand any specific restrictions in the classroom.

Can I get away with making these valentines the night before Valentine's Day, or am I asking for trouble?

While technically you could pull an all-nighter, we strongly advise against it! You'll be like a character in a Shakespearean tragedy of glue and glitter! Give yourself at least a few days to gather supplies and assemble the valentines.

This will make the process much more enjoyable (and less stressful) for both you and your little ones. Plus, it's more fun when you're not rushing!

Any tips for getting my kids involved without creating a massive mess?

Ah, the eternal parenting question! Lay down some newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to protect your surfaces. Use glue sticks instead of liquid glue (much less messy!). Delegate tasks based on age and skill level. Older kids can help with cutting and writing, while younger ones can stick on decorations.

And most importantly, embrace the imperfections! These are handmade valentines, after all a little bit of mess just adds to the charm.