Tips for Making “Love Bug” Valentines

Need some DIY valentines inspiration? Elias loves all things creepy crawly, so when I saw these love bug valentines on Pinterest, I knew they were perfect for his valentines this year. (Get a similar printable here.)

I loved them because not only did they perfectly capture something he is into at age five, but because they were candy-free. Goodness knows, kids get enough candy on Valentines!

Tips for making these sweet love bug valentines:

1. Have fun with the colors of the jars: Use this template on blue and cream cardstock – we did blue for boys and cream for girls.
2. Buy your bugs at The Dollar Store: We found packs of 8 bugs for $1. Technically spiders are not bugs, but 5-year-olds aren’t technical. You can also find lots of plastic bugs on Amazon.
3. Add glitter: We used silver glitter glue for the jar tops and red glitter glue on the heart. I simply spread a line on the jar top and Elias smeared it with his finger.
4. Do your writing before adhering the bugs: Obviously flat paper is a lot easier to write on!
5. If your child is young, do the project in stages: One night we did the glitter glue and then let it dry. The next night, Elias wrote all of his friends’ names. Then he wrote his name on all the cards. Then we attached the bugs! This extends the fun of making the valentines.
6. Use pop dots for the bugs: Foam pop dots held the lightweight plastic bugs nice and secure. You could also use thick glue dots. I just used what we had.

These love bug valentines came together quick and easily. Elias had so much fun making them and can’t wait for Valentine’s Day to pass them out!

For more Valentine’s Day ideas, check out my Valentine’s board on Pinterest. For more DIY Valentines cards, check out these Star Wars Jedi Valentines, these Butterfly Snack Valentines and these little paddle toy Valentines. 

Are you making Valentine’s this year?