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home / Blog / Activities / holidays / secret message valentines: homemade, candy-free, totally cool

secret message valentines: homemade, candy-free, totally cool

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February 7, 2018 by Teach Mama 5 Comments

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Longtime fans of the ole homemade Valentine, I’ve had to get a little more clever and crafty as the kids get older.

But I still want them writing, reading, and thinking (come on. . . at least a little!) while they’re making them.

secret message valentines magic and totally cool teachmama.com

So when I did some Valentine searching this year, I found a ton of cool ideas. Ā A ton of cool ideas.

There are about a million, trillion awesome homemade Valentines out there.

But the Secret Message Valentines caught my eye. I knew Maddy, Owen, and Cora would totally love them, and they do. Ā They really think they’re fun.

Secret Message Valentines that are homemade, candy-free and kids still think they’re totally cool? Like a dream.

And they won’t break the bank.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Secret Message Valentines–Homemade, Candy-Free, Totally Cool:

Want to make these for this year’s rockstar Valentines? Super.

Your kids will love you.

You’ll need:

  • white cardstock
  • liquid watercolors
  • inexpensive paintbrushes for each Valentine
  • white crayon
  • Secret Message Valentine template: download below

Put your email in the box below, and the Secret Message Valentine Template will magically end up in your inbox when you subscribe to teachmama.com for other fun, cool, creative ideas!

secret message valentines | teachmama.com

secret message valentines | teachmama.com

Here’s a quick video with the ‘how-to’ for making Secret Message Valentines:

Before Maddy, Owen, Cora and I started making them, we did a whole lot of ‘message brainstorming’. Ā I wanted them to realize that though some of the Valentines required that they only signed their name, other ones left spaces for real secret messages.

What would those messages be?Ā 

What should they be?Ā 

We came up with some ideas:

magic message valentines -| teachmama.com

magic message valentines -| teachmama.com

magic message valentines -| teachmama.com

Having the ideas helped, especially because messages had to be short.

And because they were writing the messages with white crayon on white paper, the messages had to be simple.

magic message valentines -| teachmama.com

magic message valentines -| teachmama.com

magic message valentines -| teachmama.com

These kind of reminded me of the Scratch-Off Tickets we made a few years ago during holiday time in the way that they carried a secret message for the kids to find.

I think I just may use them for Valentine cards next year. . . hmmmmm.

What are your favorite super-cool, candy-free Valentines for kids to make? I’d love to hear ’em!

Here are a few of ours:

  • Scratch Art Bookmark Valentines
  • Tattoo Valentines
  • Mini Stained Glass Hearts
  • Happy Face and Flower Valentines (okay. . . so there’s candy in these)

HUGE and happy thanks to all the folks who came before me and made similar Valentines. Though I love this idea, I by no means invented it! I did not use one particular post as a model, but the following posts were my inspiration: SpanglishBabyĀ Secret Message Valentines; Small + FriendlyĀ Secret Message Valentine;Ā Secret Message Valentine Mini-Edition; SpoonfulĀ Secret Message Valentines, & more! Thank you, thank you!

Want a few more fun Valentine’s Day ideas? Check out:Ā 

valentine's day class party ideas

how to throw a rockstar valentine's day party teachmama.com 2

valentine's day class party ideas, 2.0 | teachmama.com

  • How to throw a rockstar Valentine’s Day class party
  • Valentine’s Day Class party 2.0
  • Musical Hearts
  • Secret Message Valentines
  • Bookmark Valentines
  • Scratch-Off Ticket Valentines
  • Valentine’s Day Lunchbox Notes
  • HEART Bingo

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are ā€œaffiliate links.ā€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: ā€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.ā€ Ā For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.Ā 

About the Author

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom. I also have a master's in psychology, specializing in children's issues. Read More…

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Comments

  1. PragmaticMom says

    February 13, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    That is so awesome. We will have to make those next year. My son will love them and he still makes his own Valentines. We did the toilet paper heart stamping again this year because making more than 6 requires something quick and easy.

    http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2014/01/valentine-card-craft-for-kids/

    Reply
    • Teach Mama says

      February 14, 2014 at 8:55 am

      thanks, mia!! Totally get the need for quick and easy, especially when kids are making more than a few!

      Reply
  2. Ava says

    February 18, 2018 at 10:13 am

    Aw lovely šŸ™‚
    Your valentine cards are looking very beautiful and colorful.
    I definitely gonna made this cards next year for my loved ones.

    Reply
  3. dorothy holland says

    February 12, 2020 at 3:10 pm

    Can’t find the box to give you my email.

    Reply
    • Teach Mama says

      February 13, 2020 at 9:26 pm

      Dorothy! It’s right there on the front of the blog post!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom.

After our three kids graduated high school, I went back to school to become a marriage and family therapist who has specialized in children’s issues.

I love helping families find all the fun and deep learning possible for their children.

I’m so glad you’re here on Teach Mama and I look forward to helping you on your journey!

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