Inside: Looking for a super easy toddler valentines activity? How about making prints? This process art method involves lots of painting on a textured surface and then pressing a big heart on top to make a print. Perfect for young children!
You’ve probably noticed that many valentines crafts are not geared for toddlers.
They might say they are for this age group, but one look tells you otherwise.
These activities are way too complicated and usually have a desired outcome.
No thank you.
I’m looking for toddler-friendly valentines art that is truly intended for this age group.
So I started thinking about our favorite painting methods and came up with an idea that involves lots of open ended painting.
And our toddlers loved it!
Super Easy Toddler Valentines Prints
Print-making is a favorite.
It has been since I started teaching over 20 years ago. It actually goes back way before then, but that’s when I actually got to experience this technique.
Print-making involves brushing (or rolling) lots of paint on a textured surface.
There are really no directions other than to paint and pat the paper.
Easy, right?
What you will need:
- Washable tempera paint
- Brushes or brayers
- Paper cut into heart shapes
- Something textured that is also washable
I found a plastic bath mat at the dollar store last year that I knew would be good for some type of process art activity.
It is has lots of small circles (“bumps”) that I knew would make a fun print.
Setting up this toddler valentines print activity:
You will need a flat surface to place your textured piece along with containers of paint and brushes or brayers.
I liked that this bath mat was large enough so that a few children could work at the same time.
I encourage group activities such as this because it encourages toddlers to work together, learning how to share space and materials (something that doesn’t always come naturally to a 2 year old).
Group activities also build communication skills as the children use words with each other while painting.
The first step of this activity is to brush paint on the surface. They can brush or roll the paint, depending on the tools provided.
When the children show that they are finished painting, you can hand them a heart-shaped piece of paper to pat on top.
Once our toddlers got the hang of patting the paper, they giggled because they loved the sound it made. They can also rub the paper.
When finished patting the paper, invite the child to pick it up and take a look at the print.
There is nothing fancy about this toddler valentine art activity.
That’s just the point.
It’s toddler friendly. And fun!
I hung our hearts in the classroom as a festive display. They could also be used as Valentine’s Day cards, depending on the size of the heart.
Simply fold another piece of paper in half to make a card and then glue the painted heart on top.
And if you are feeling extra festive (or brave – ha!), add glue to the paint and sprinkle glitter on top of the painted heart.
You could even attach each hard to make a banner!
Check out these valentines activities:
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