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The 40 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids (That Aren’t Chocolate)

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Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and you want to do something special for your kids (you know, beyond busting out the crafts box). When it comes to showering your young valentine with gifts, though, it can be hard to come up with ideas that reflect the sentiment of the occasion without triggering a major sugar rush or spending a small fortune. Fortunately, we put together a list of our favorite Valentine’s Day gifts for kids of all ages, so you can woo your kid with something more creative than a box of chocolates.

Even better? We also took budget into consideration, focusing on fun yet affordable items that children will love, from babies to teens. From on-theme fidget toys and soft plushies to sweet books and cozy clothing, we’ve got a great selection of gifts for every kid on your list, whether you want to shower your tween niece with some love or hand out goody bags for your toddler’s class.

Our Top Valentine’s Day Gifts for Kids at a Glance

1

Best Valentine’s Day Book for Toddlers

‘Llama Llama I Love You’ By Anna Dewdney

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2

Best LEGO Gift

LEGO Valentine’s Brown Bear 40462 Building Kit

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3

Silliest Gift for School

Love Stinks Whoopee Cushions (Set of 12)

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4

Best Personalized Room Decor

Custom Name Neon Signs

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5

Best Valentine's Day Chapter Book

‘Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine’ by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat

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Best Valentine’s Day Book for Toddlers

1. ‘Llama Llama I Love You’ By Anna Dewdney

Anna Dewdney

When it comes to toddler reads, you can’t go wrong with any of the books in the beloved Llama Llama series, but the jingly rhyming text in this sweet story is all about L-O-V-E, so it’s obviously especially appropriate for the occasion.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 1 to 3

We love a gift that doubles as an activity, and this 245-piece LEGO set ticks all the boxes. Kids 8 and up will enjoy building this adorable brown bear seated on a picnic blanket surrounded by Valentine’s hearts. Extra cool factor? The arms and ears move!

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 8+

Silliest Gift for School

3. Love Stinks Whoopee Cushions (Set of 12)

Fun Express

Look, there are a lot of very sweet and lovely gift ideas on this list. But if you want to make your kid roar with laughter, these whoopee cushions are guaranteed to be a hit. Just don't blame us if your kid decides to bring 'em to class and hand one out to all his friends (there are 12 in each pack, after all).

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 4+

Best Personalized Room Decor

4. Custom Name Neon Signs

IbayNawi

If you’re looking for a fun way to light up your tween or teen’s bedroom, this personalized neon light is just the ticket. You can customize the font, color and the back board, and the heart at the end makes it ideal for the holiday.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: tweens and teens

Early readers will be thoroughly engrossed by this beginner-level chapter book about Nate, a young boy with a knack for detective work and dislike of all things mushy. Engaging from start to finish, this holiday-themed read will have your kid hooked on the whole series.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 6 to 9

Fluffy, creamy and sweet smelling, this watermelon-scented slime is a sensory delight for kids of all ages. It comes with two surprise charms that children can mix into the slime for extra textural interest.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

At 8 inches tall, this Pokémon plush is just the right size for cuddling—and the heart makes it a perfect on-theme gift for Valentine’s Day.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 2+

Most Entertaining Valentine's Day Gift for the Whole Fam

8. Valentine's Day Mad Libs

This silly fill-in-the-blank activity book may be recommended for kids in grades 3 through 7, but we’re adults and we still think Mad Libs are funny. This one happens to have a Valentine’s Day spin and we can't think of a better family night or road trip activity for the holiday.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 8 to 12

Best Personalized Jewelry Gift

9. Hidepoo White Gold Plated Unicorn Initial Pendant

Hidepoo

Your kid doesn’t need anyone to put a ring on it this Valentine’s Day (phew), but she might appreciate some bling nevertheless. Here, a white gold-plated unicorn necklace with sparkly cubic zirconia and a first initial detail—a personal touch that’ll surely win the heart of any discerning tween.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: tweens and teens

Best for Aspiring Foodies

10. DASH Mini Heart-Shaped Waffle Maker

DASH

File this one under 'gift for the whole family' since the whole crew can reap the rewards of this handy kitchen gadget. With a 4-inch nonstick cooking surface, you can throw more than just waffle mix in here—paninis, hash browns and cookie batter will all transform into an adorable crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside treat. We know what we’ll be dishing up on Valentine's Day morning.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 1+ (provided an adult does the cooking, of course)

Best Valentine's Day Gift for Preschoolers

11. I See Me! Outer Space Personalized Puzzle

I See Me!

It’s the thought that counts…but anything that keeps a kid engaged in a single activity for more than a few minutes doesn’t sound too shabby, either. Presenting the best of both worlds: A 24-piece name puzzle that will make preschoolers feel out of this world special.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 4+

If you’ve got a toddler or little kid who loves all things truck-related, this adorable and festive long sleeve tee is the perfect wear-it-now present. And made from 100 percent cotton, it won’t irritate sensitive skin.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 2 to 5

Best for Fashionistas

13 CM-Kid Heart Print Fleece Outfit

CM-Kid

Cozy and cute—this two-piece set boasts an oh-so festive heart print and is made out of a warm-but-breathable fleece material that’s just right for the season. In other words, this outfit is basically begging for a Valentine’s Day photo op.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 2 to 10

Best Recycled Gift

14. Kids Personalized Recycled Name Crayons

Etsy

Any budding artist will tell you that you can never have too many crayons, and these personalized multicolor ones are far cooler than your average box of Crayolas. Plus, they won’t snap in half as soon as they’re in your tot’s tiny fist.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

Best Craft Gift for Little Kids

15. Purple Ladybug Decorate Your Own Kids Water Bottle Kit

Purple Ladybug

Sadly, most cutesy Valentine’s Day merch is doomed to gather dust in some remote corner of your kid’s room. This water bottle decorating kit, on the other hand, is both a practical item and a fun activity for your child, which makes it a winning gift in our book.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 6 to 8

Best Personalized Stuffy

16. Let’s Make Memories Personalized Hugs And Kisses Stuffed Animal Set

Let’s Make Memories

OK, this one does indeed fall in the aforementioned cutesy merch category. That said, this pair of super soft, hugging monkeys is more special than your standard Valentine’s Day stuffy, thanks to the personalized touch. (And come on… how cute are they?)

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

Best for Gentle Play

17. Wood Felt Ball Slingshot

Etsy

Gift your kid one of these attractive—and well-made—slingshots so he can play cupid (without any casualties of love). Each wooden slingshot comes with 15 felt balls ideal for gentle play.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

Most Sentimental Book Gift

18. Our Adventure Book Valentine’s Scrapbook

Etsy

Here, a gorgeous scrapbook boasting a custom engraved wood cover. Fill it with family photos for your child or leave the pages blank for a gift that any teen with a creative (and sentimental) streak will appreciate.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: toddlers and up

Best Valentine's Day Gift for Daycare

19. Valentine’s Day Cards With Playdough (24 Pack)

Oriental Cherry

For the preschool set, you can’t beat the sensory delight of good old playdough. And this 24-piece set comes with Valentine’s Day cards, the aforementioned playdough and clear bags, making it the ideal party favor for your kid’s class. Each card comes with a punny message ("You are a-doh-rable") and a hole in the middle to add the playdough container.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

Best for Family Game Night with Little Kids

20. Kids Personalized Tic-Tac-Toe Set

Etsy

It might not be the most complicated game, but tic-tac-toe beats Monopoly dollars to doughnuts—particularly for players with limited attention spans. So, if you’ve got a little kid under your roof, score this personalized set and family game night will surely be a success.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: toddlers and up

Best On-Theme Doll Accessories Set

21. Sophia’s By Teamson Kids Warm Your Heart Hot Cocoa and Sweets Set

Sophia’s By Teamson

An ideal Valentine’s Day gift for any child who’s sweet on dolls, this charming 12-piece mini set includes sugar cookies, cake pops, chocolate-covered strawberries and two mugs of hot cocoa with whipped cream to wash it all down. Yum.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 2+

Best Doll

22. Adora PlayTime Baby Doll

Adora

If you’re going to give your little valentine the hot cocoa and sweets set, why not throw in a new doll for good measure? The Adora doll has eyes that open and close, and comes with a set of clothing and a baby bottle. Not to mention the fact that she’s downright adorable.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 1 to 14

Best Handmade Baby Gift

23. Cuddoll The Flutterers Finger Puppets

Cuddoll

Get your jazz hands ready, friends, because babies and toddlers will be wild about these handmade finger puppets and the opportunity for interactive play they provide.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 0+

Best Bathtime Valentine’s Gift

24. Conversation Heart Handmade Soap Set

Etsy

These pretty pastel-colored conversation hearts look and smell just as sweet as the edible kind, with the added benefit of making your valentine beg for bath time instead of candy.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

Best Personalized Valentine’s Day Book for Little Kids

25. Personalized ‘My Little Love Bug’ Book

Uncommon Goods

Storytime will feel extra special if you grab your love bug and snuggle up with a personalized book. This one features vintage-inspired artwork, punny text and your child’s very own name on every page.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 0+

Best Coloring Gift

26. Meri Meri Valentine’s Coloring Posters

Meri Meri

Here, a festive gift that will keep little hands and creative minds busy while you hide some of that excess candy. Featuring two coloring posters with pink foil illustrations of flowers, cupid’s arrow, rainbows, hearts, the word "Love" and more.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: toddlers and up

Best Valentine's Day Party Activity for Toddlers

27. Watinc DIY Valentine’s Day Tree Set

Watinc

Hosting a kid-friendly get together this Valentine’s Day? This felt tree comes with 42 heart-shaped ornaments that can be stuck right on the branches in any arrangement for a fun, mess-free activity that kids ages 3 and up can repeat again and again. Plus, the festive wall hanging is pretty sweet, too.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

Best Craft for Tweens

28. Valentine’s Day Paint Kit

Etsy

Here, a craft kit that includes a whitewashed pine board canvas, self-adhesive hearts and letters and paints so kids of (almost) all ages can create a Valentine’s Day-themed and Pinterest-worthy piece of wall decor.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

Best Wearable Gift for All Year

29. Crown Knit Ear Warmer

Etsy

Make your little one feel like royalty this Valentine’s Day with a too-cute crown ear warmer, handmade with soft (and machine washable) acrylic yarn. And because it’s not totally holiday-themed, you’ll be able to use it throughout the year. Bonus: This number comes in a full size run from baby to adult, so you can scoop one up for everyone in your fam.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: baby to adult sizes available

Most Functional Gift

30. Kids Monogrammed Bath Robe

Etsy

By all accounts, this soft, waffle-weave cotton robe feels downright dreamy to wear. Needless to say, the colorful monogrammed detail is a nice personal touch that’s sure to make any kid feel extra loved on Valentine’s Day.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 22 to 32 inches long available

Best Keepsake Book

31. 'What I Love About Being Your Mom' Book

Knock Knock

Here, you and your little valentine get to be the main characters in a sweet fill-in-the-blank book that makes a precious keepsake. Featuring 112 pages with cute and fun prompts (like "everyone should be as [blank] as you"), this is a gift your kid can treasure for years to come.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 0+

Best for Keeping Small Hands Occupied

32. 4M Magnetic Mini Tile Art

4M

This magnet tile decorating kit is a simple and stress-free art project that promises to spark creativity while keeping your valentine entertained for quite some time. Plus, if you swap the included paints for paint pens for colorful markers, you’ll pretty much eliminate all the post-crafting clean up, too.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 8+

Best Valentine's Day Bangles

33. Lilies & Roses Love and Heart Candy Bangle Set

Lilies & Roses

This acrylic bangle set boasts a pretty and playful design that looks good enough to eat…sort of like the adorable little valentine in your life.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: tweens and teens

Best Valentine's Day Gift for Bedtime

34. Bedtime Defenderz Plush Toy and Comic Book

Bedtime Defenderz

Nothing says ‘I Love You’ like a fierce, plush bestie with a glow-in-the-dark belt and a sworn duty to defend against nightmares. Gift this to a young kid going through the "there are monsters in my bedroom" phase, and all their dreams will be sweet.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3 months +

Best Gift for Jokers

35. 101 Silly Valentine's Day Jokes for Kids

Editors of Ulysses Press

Featuring more punny and cheesy quips than your little kid could possibly get through in one holiday (like “What did the cucumber say to the pickle? You mean a great dill to me.”), this one’s sure to keep you valentine entertained this February.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 4 to 6

Oh, the wit! But cerealsly, these fruit loop-decorated bowls have undeniable charm. At 14 ounces, they’re just the right size for a hearty breakfast of champions and the personalized touch is extra thoughtful.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3+

It's the hottest kids' show on TV right now (and grown-ups love it too!) so of course everyone in your kid's class will be thrilled to receive a Bluey and keychain with sweet sentiments like will you dance mode with me? and you're a real mate.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: toddlers and up

Best Fidget Toy for School

38. ONKULL® Pop Fidget Toys (30 Pieces)

ONKULL

So you’ve been peer pressured into handing out a Valentine's Day gift for every student in your kid’s class and you'd rather not spend a small fortune doing so. These sweet holiday-themed fidget toys are the perfect goody bag addition—you get 30 in each pack and it’ll only set you back $7.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 3 to 12

Best Cold-Weather Gift

39. Cabbages and Kings Pink Fingerless Mittens

Cabbages and Kings

These fingerless mittens are knit from super-soft alpaca and designed with a fold-over flap—a sweet detail that will keep your young valentine’s paws warm and cozy even on the frostiest winter days.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 1 to 5

Best Dual Purpose Gift

40. Tckoll Girls Toys Pop Shoulder Purse

Aside from being darn cute, this rainbow-colored purse doubles as a fidget toy. Yep, the poppable silicone bubbles on this guy provide a sensory experience—much like bubble wrap, but less noisy—that can soothe a restless kid.

Fast Facts

  • Best for Ages: 6+

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Freelance PureWow Editor

Emma Singer is a freelance contributing editor and writer at PureWow who has over 7 years of professional proofreading, copyediting and writing experience. At PureWow, she covers...

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