Valentine’s Day Heart Sponge Painting

Updated February 14, 2024

Are you looking for an easy Valentine’s Day craft for kids?

We’ve got a fun and simple Valentine’s Day heart sponge painting activity that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers!

Valentine’s Day Heart Sponge Painting

Supply List:

1. Colored construction paper (various colors)
2. White paper to cut out heart shapes
3. Scissors
4. Red, white, purple, and pink non-toxic paint
5. Heart-shaped painting sponges or sponge brushes
6. Disposable plates or paint trays
7. Newspaper or tablecloth to protect the work area
8. Paper towels or wipes for clean-up
9. Aprons or old shirts to protect children’s clothing

Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Preparation: Begin by preparing your workspace. Cover the table with newspaper or a tablecloth and set out aprons or old shirts for the children to wear to protect their clothing.

I use plastic tablecloths from the Dollar Store.

I find they do a great job of protecting our table.

2. Cut Out Hearts: Using scissors, cut heart shapes out of white paper. 

3. Arrange Materials: Place the colored construction paper on the workspace.

Then, glue the hearts on top of the construction paper.

4. Prepare Paint: Pour red and pink paint onto disposable plates or paint trays.

Ensure there’s enough room on the plate for the sponge to be dipped without overlapping colors unless color mixing is desired.

5. Sponge Painting: Show the children how to dip the sponge into the paint and then press it onto the paper around the heart to create heart prints.

Encourage them to use a straight up-and-down dabbing motion to get the best prints.

6. Continue Printing: Continue to dip the sponge into the paint and apply it around the entire heart.

7. Let it Dry: Once their masterpiece is complete set aside the artwork to dry.

8. Clean Up: After the craft, make sure children wash their hands and clean the workspace with paper towels or wipes.

Crafting With Love: Learning Through Art

Did you know that while we’re having a blast with our heart sponge paintings, we’re also giving our brains a little workout?

That’s right!

When our little ones dip those sponges in paint and carefully dab around their heart stencils, they’re not just making art—they’re boosting their fine motor skills.

These are the tiny muscles in their fingers that they’ll use for writing, buttoning up shirts, and so much more.

And those vibrant colors aren’t just pretty to look at; they’re also helping our kids learn color recognition.

It’s like a game—matching the colors to the names and even mixing them to see what new colors we can create!

And, if we’re crafting around Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, we can chat about all the different kinds of love while we paint.

Is it the warm, fuzzy feeling we get from a big bear hug? Or the joy of sharing a favorite toy with a friend?

This craft is a wonderful way to introduce a heart-to-heart about emotions.

Shake It Up: Craft Variations to Try

Ready to switch things up?

Here are some fun twists to put a new spin on our heart sponge painting:

Colorful Choices:

Who says hearts have to be red or pink?

Let’s dive into a rainbow of colors! Encourage your little artist to pick their favorite shades—maybe a sunny yellow or a calming blue—and create a heart that’s as unique as they are.

Glitter Galore:

While the paint’s still wet, it’s the perfect time to sprinkle on a little magic.

A dash of glitter can transform your child’s craft into a sparkling treasure.

And it’s a perfect way to add that extra pizzazz!

Mixing Patterns:

How about stripes, dots, or wavy lines?

Using different sides of the sponge, or even cutting it into new shapes, can make for some exciting patterns.

Let’s see how inventive your kiddo can get!

Textured Tales:

Textures tell a story all their own.

Try pressing different materials like lace, leaves, or bubble wrap onto the paint before it dries for an extra touch of whimsy.

Related Valentine’s Day Activities

Valentine Cat Craft: For those who adore our feline friends, this craft brings an extra dose of cuteness to your Valentine’s Day. Check it out here.

Snowy Owl Craft: Add a touch of whimsy to your winter with this enchanting snowy owl craft perfect for the season of affection. Find the details here.

Valentine’s Day Penguin Craft: If our penguin friend has stolen your heart, why not meet more of these adorable creatures? Visit this link for the instructions.

Valentine’s Day Activity Placemats: Engage your little ones during mealtime with these creative and interactive placemats. They’re just a click away here.

Valentine’s Day Crafts for Toddlers: Discover a variety of simple and fun crafts designed specifically for toddlers here.

Valentine Bubble Wrap Stamping: Introduce a new texture to craft time with bubble wrap that’s sure to excite. Start stamping by following the guide here.

February Toddler Activities: Make the most of February with an array of activities suitable for toddlers. Explore more here.

Valentine Sensory Activities for Toddlers: Stimulate your toddler’s senses with these themed sensory activities. Dive into sensory play here.

Valentine Day Books For Toddlers and Preschoolers

• “Llama Llama I Love You” by Anna Dewdney

A sweet story featuring the beloved Llama Llama, this book is a warm and fuzzy tale about showing love to friends and family, perfect for little hands to hold and enjoy.

• “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!” by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond

From the team that brought you “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” this book follows Mouse as he makes Valentine’s Day cards for all his friends.

It teaches about friendship and appreciation in a way that’s relatable for young children.

• “Guess How Much I Love You: One More Tickle!” by Sam McBratney, illustrated by Anita Jeram

A lovely board book with an interactive puppet feature that allows parents and kids to act out the heartwarming “I love you” game between Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare.

• “Where Is Baby’s Valentine?: A Lift-the-Flap Book” by Karen Katz

This playful lift-the-flap book has babies and toddlers joining in on the hunt for Baby’s Valentine.

It’s a fun way to explore the concept of searching and finding, with the joy of revealing surprises on each page.

• “Hug Machine” by Scott Campbell

In this adorable book, a young boy believes he is the best at giving hugs and sets out to hug everyone and everything in sight.

It’s a humorous and sweet story that encourages affection and warmth, aligning beautifully with the spirit of Valentine’s Day.