Valentine’s Decor – Easy Toddler Craft

I’m on a mission to use my Cricut more this year, but you can definitely do this craft without the use of a Cricut! We just did the craft on a canvas for decor, but it would be fun to make several of them for Valentine’s Day cards for the family. **This post may contain affiliate links. A small commission may be earned.**

I’m actually so excited for all the Valentine’s crafts because my older daughter is obsessed with hearts. This craft is a play on a craft I have done for other holidays but we just changed the cut out part to be themed for Valentine’s.

One thing that’s really fun about this craft is you can do it with toddlers and preschoolers of any ages. Since the colors don’t have to stay in the lines and you want them to paint all over the vinyl, it’s a perfect craft for young toddlers especially!

If you want to make it a “mess free” or “less mess” craft. You can put the canvas inside a ziploc baggie with the paint and let your toddler go to town. I have a full post about Mess Free Painting that is always a hit with my 18 month old son!

Like I said above, you don’t need a Cricut to do this craft – but if you have one, you can make more personalized and intricate designs. If you don’t have one, you can use another piece of cardstock or some white glue to keep that part of the canvas white.

What you need:
– Canvas (These smaller Canvas would be perfect for little cards to gift to family)
– Paint
– Paint Palette
– Clothespins and PomPoms
– Cricut – I used the Joy Xtra (If you’re in the market check out my full comparison of my two Cricut Machines)
– Cricut Vinyl
– Transfer Tape

1. Decide on the picture or saying you want to use for this project. The design just needs to use one color of vinyl so be sure to Attach all the elements in Cricut Design Space. We went with a simple “Happy Valentine’s Day,” but there are so many options you can choose from – or create your own!
   
2. Cut our your design, weed out all the pieces you don’t need, and transfer the design using Cricut Transfer Tape onto the canvas.
   
3. Put the colors of paint you want your toddler to use on their painting in the palette.
   
4. Match the colors of paint with colored PomPoms (you can also use all white PomPoms or cotton balls for this part). Place the PomPom on clothespins for your toddler to be able to grab and push into the canvas.
   
5. Let your toddler paint! Be sure to have them cover the majority of the canvas, especially where the vinyl is. Since you will peel the vinyl away, you want very little white showing on the canvas – that way you can see your creation easily.
   
6. When your toddler is done, let the paint dry fully (we waited 24 hours).
   
7. Carefully peel the vinyl off the canvas to reveal your picture! My toddler loved helping at this part too.
   
8. If you want to add any glitter or rhinestones this would be the time to put those on.
   
9. Display or gift!

Options for no Cricut machine:
– Create a picture or saying using white school glue. Make sure your glue is thick enough that when it’s dry you’ll be able to peel it off.
– Create a picture with cardstock and use painters tape to carefully tape it on. Your toddler will have to be more careful with painting around the cardstock since it might move easily.

My toddler loved creating this one and it would be so fun to do for Valentine’s! xx Ciara