Valentine’s Day Heart Art Project for Kids

Valentine's Day Heart Art featuring colorful patterns with waves, polka dots, and squiggles drawn by a child.

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Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite times to bring creativity into the classroom or home with easy and fun art projects. This Valentine’s Day Heart Art project is always a huge hit with kids of all ages, and it’s so simple that parents can do it at home too. I’ve created a free printable template to make it even easier!

Not only is this project a great way to celebrate the holiday, but it also encourages kids to practice creativity, fine motor skills, and pattern recognition. Plus, it’s perfect for decorating classrooms, kitchens, or bulletin boards. Let’s get started!

Why I Love This Project

Over the years, I’ve used this Valentine’s Day Heart Art project in both classroom and home settings, and here’s why I recommend it:

  • No fancy supplies are needed – You probably have everything at home already.

  • Creative expression – Kids love coming up with their own patterns and color combinations.

  • Versatile – Works great as a solo art activity or a group project for a classroom party.

By the end, each child will have a unique and colorful piece of art that they can feel proud of.

Valentine's Day Heart Art with colorful hearts, bold lines, and playful designs drawn by a young student.
Valentine's Day Heart Art featuring colorful patterns with waves, polka dots, and squiggles drawn by a child.

Materials Needed

You don’t need much to create this beautiful Valentine’s Day art. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • White cardstock or thick paper

  • Black marker or crayon

  • Colored markers, crayons, or oil pastels

  • Ruler (optional)

  • Scissors (optional for cutting out the template)

Valentine's Day Heart Art with intricate patterns, colorful zigzags, stripes, and swirls created by a student.
Valentine's Day Heart Art with colorful polka dots, crisscross patterns, and rainbow sections.

Step-by-Step Directions for Valentine’s Day Heart Art

Follow these simple steps to create a beautiful heart art project with your kids:

1. Draw the Heart Outline

Start by drawing a large heart outline in the center of your paper using a black marker or crayon, or use a template. If you’re doing this at home, I’ve made free printable templates to help you get started – more on that below!

2. Divide the Heart into Sections

Next, use a black marker to divide the heart into sections by drawing bold lines across it. You can use straight, curved, or diagonal lines to create a variety of shapes. I like to add about 6-8 sections, but you can do more or less depending on the size of the heart.

Tip: Kids can use a ruler for precise lines or freehand it for a more playful look.

3. Create Patterns in Each Section

Here comes the fun part! In each section of the heart, have your kids draw a different pattern using the black marker or crayon. Some fun and easy ideas for patterns include:

  • Swirls

  • Polka dots

  • Zig-zags

  • Stripes

  • Checkerboard squares

  • Diamonds

  • Wavy lines

Encourage kids to make each section unique! This is where their creativity shines.

4. Add Color to Each Section

Now it’s time to add some color. Use bright-colored markers, crayons, or oil pastels to fill in the patterns. I always encourage kids to use a mix of colors for contrast. Reds, pinks, yellows, and purples work well for a Valentine’s Day theme, but any colors will do!

Tip: Bold colors will make the black lines and patterns pop even more.

5. Decorate the Background

If there’s extra space on the paper, kids can add a fun background. Ideas for backgrounds include:

  • Triangles

  • Wavy lines

  • Zig-zag shapes

  • A solid-colored background for contrast

Valentine's Day Heart Art with bold horizontal stripes in red, yellow, and blue.
Valentine's Day Heart Art featuring bright red, yellow, and green sections with bold polka dots and squiggles.
Valentine's Day Heart Art with rainbow-colored sections and playful surrounding doodles.

Free Printable Heart Art Templates

To make this project even easier for parents at home, I’ve created four free printable heart templates for you to use. These templates include different styles of divided hearts so kids can get creative with patterns and coloring.

Download the templates below:

  1. Heart Template 1 – Simple Divided Heart

  2. Heart Template 3 – Blank Heart Outline

  3. Heart Template 2 – Advanced Divided Heart

  4. Wide Heart Template – Blank Heart Outline

Simply download, print them on white cardstock or thick paper, and let the creativity begin!

Tips for Parents and Teachers

Here are a few tips to make the project even more successful:

  1. Show examples for inspiration – I like to complete a heart myself to show kids how patterns and colors work together.

  2. Encourage creativity – Remind kids there’s no “right way” to do this project. Every heart will look different, and that’s what makes it special.

  3. Use it for Valentine’s Day decor – Hang the finished hearts on a bulletin board, fridge, or wall for a festive Valentine’s Day display.

  4. Make it a group activity – This project works perfectly for classroom parties or family craft time.

I love how simple yet beautiful this Valentine’s Day Heart Art project is, and I hope it becomes a favorite for you and your kids as well. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day while encouraging creativity and artistic expression.

If you try this project at home or in your classroom, I’d love to see how it turns out! Share your creations, please join our Parent Teacher Support Group on Facebook and post your creations or tag Edtings.com on social media.

Happy crafting, and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine's Day Heart Art with detailed spirals, stripes, and checkerboard patterns on a gradient background.

Final Thoughts

Valentine’s Day Heart Art Projects are a wonderful way to inspire creativity and allow children to express their feelings for this special holiday. The simplicity of the materials and the flexibility of the design make this activity suitable for a variety of skill levels, ensuring every child feels successful and proud of their work.

If you’re looking for more fun and engaging art ideas to try throughout the year, explore our Art Activities Collection for inspiration. From seasonal crafts to projects that develop fine motor skills and creativity, you’ll find plenty of ideas to spark joy and imagination in your students or children.

Picture of Jeremy Sayers
Jeremy Sayers

My first blog was meant to connect with and provide resources for students and parents in the 2nd-grade class I was teaching.

EdThings.com is an extension of that first site.  There are many math resources and worksheets on this site, along with articles related to the field of education.

I have been an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. In 2023 I was honored to be named as an LAUSD Teacher of the Year. Thank you for visiting. I hope this site is helpful to you.

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