Micah B.
1.11.21
No Candy Valentines for when you are pressed for time and creativity but don’t want more candy!
Are you looking for a simple, quick and easy, no muss no fuss, no candy Valentine’s solution for your child’s school party? (If you are looking for something for your spouse, skip this page, and go here.)
Every holiday my kids come home –from school, from grandparents’, from sports, from church—with enormous collections of candy and treats. Every holiday I have to play hall monitor as I limit consumption, inspect the packaging, and then sneak my rewards! In our house, Reese’s are mommy-tax while Sour Patch are daddy-tax.
My kids bring home SO much candy that I can usually keep my office’s candy basket full year round with last holiday’s candy! Currently, my office is still working on the Easter candy that I swapped from my kids’ stashes when they brought home the Halloween candy!
I get tired of telling my kids that they cannot eat an entire pound of chocolate, an entire stocking full of gummies, or an entire basket full of jelly beans. So, I started implementing no candy school treats. Here is the confession though: I AM NOT CRAFTY OR CREATIVE. My mother and friends can come up with cute and clever sayings, design adorable decorations from nothing while I sit and still try to color in the lines of my children’s coloring books.
Simple No Candy Valentines that require no skills.
So, as we look to Valentine’s Day, if you are prepping a school Valentine’s treat, I have rounded up 7 of my FAVORITE NO CANDY VALENTINES that actually contain instructions and printables that require minimal time or skill! If you can use a printer and scissors, these Valentines are for you!
Let me say that these Valentines aren’t just candy substitutes, they are items that I would actually be thrilled about my child bringing home. Also, your teacher won’t have to spend the afternoon confiscating them or cleaning up spills and messes. They will bring more than 30 seconds of enjoyment for kids, avoid the candy fight entirely, and keep yet another sticky hand stain from your wall.
If my child wants to eat the crate of Cuties or play superhero for the evening, he can. Avoiding a fight about candy is a huge win for me! And, because I am a working mom, I struggle to stay on the good side of the teacher. These Valentines will win you points with the teacher too!
My Favorite No Candy Valentines for Kids
My first 2 are from the same blog that I have followed for years. They come from the talented and beautiful (inside and out) Abby Chic who blogs about design, parenting, and style. She even has her own design business. Go check her out here: https://abbychic.com/
Her first idea is one that I have now used not only once but twice in my kids’ rooms. I might even use it again this year!
1. Super Hero Valentine’s
Take a simple mask or cape (can be found in the party section at your local Hobby Lobby) and add her lovely printable tag! The parents, the kids, and the teachers will thank you for giving the other classmates something that they can play with while they are hopped up on sugar!
Voila, project done!
2. Dino-Mite Valentine’s
Check out Abby’s other brilliant dinosaur themed Valentine here: https://abbychic.com/blogs/one-shirt-all-the-ways/tagged/free-valentines-day-printable . Add a dinosaur toy, eraser, or sticker and this simple printable. Print, cut, tag, done. Thanks, Abby
3. Little “Cutie”
Are you hoping to add a snack to the party, but you don’t want it to be empty sugar? Add a little clementine to this adorable printable for a healthy, colorful, and allergy friendly Valentine. Find the instructions and printable here: https://thecardswedrew.com/clementine-valentine/2/
If you lack the time, paper, or ink, write directly on the mandarin itself! Add a sticker or a sweet little Valentine message to a crate full of Cuties, and send them to school like conversation hearts! The kids will eat them up
4. “Apple” of my eye
As long as we are in a fruit theme, if you don’t want to do oranges, switch to apples or applesauce pouches instead. From The Young at Heart Mommy, add a sweet and simple sticker or tag to an apple, apple juice, or applesauce pouch. This is a Valentine treat that mommy won’t have to confiscate! http://www.youngatheartmommy.com/2016/01/youre-apple-of-my-eye-gogo-squeez.html
5. You are my “SUNSHINE”
Looking for something wearable? Try this adorable idea from Fantabulosity. Grab a party pack of sunglasses and add this premade printable. The kids will love to wear them and share them! My daughter loves to dress herself and her animals up in sunglasses! Find the how-to and instructions with printable here: https://fantabulosity.com/you-are-my-sunshine-valentine-classroom-valentines/
6. I’m “CRAZY” for you
Saving the environment and a kid-friendly Valentine? Well, maybe that is a bit of a stretch, but in my house, we try to reuse straws as much as we can. Our kids love to pick their shape and color from the straw drawer! Young children will love these crazy straw valentines from Ginger Snap Crafts at https://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/02/last-minute-valentine-crazy-for-you.html.
7. You make me “GLOW”
Finally, check out this glowstick Valentine from Craftiness is not Optional here: https://www.craftinessisnotoptional.com/2013/01/glowstick-valentines-and-more.html. If you are looking for a simple, cute, and BUDGET FRIENDLY Valentine, then these are the Valentines for you. At $0.10 or less per glow stick, you can make sure that all your kids and their friends get one for only a few dollars. This printable and instructions are simple and easy so long as you can wield a hole punch!
A quick perusal of Pinterest and the possibilities are endless. I don’t know about you, but I see rulers as swords, Play-Doh as a mess, and bubbles as a spill. Maybe my kids will be handle them when they are a bit older, but these 7 ideas are sure to please your kids and their classmates as a quick, clever, and simple no candy Valentine.
