Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday to enjoy fun and meaningful crafts with kids! This Heart Tree Craft is a simple yet charming project that kids of all ages will love. Using our free printable tree template, a little paint, and colorful paper hearts, children can create a sweet valentine that celebrates love, creativity, and nature.
This easy craft doesn’t require handprints or expensive materials, making it stress-free for teachers, parents, and caregivers. Read on to see how you can make this adorable heart tree with your little ones!
Are you a plant lover? You may also enjoy our Hoya Heart “Love Grows Here” valentine!
What is a Valentine Heart Tree?
A heart tree craft is a project where kids decorate a tree with heart shapes instead of leaves. They paint a tree trunk and branches—sometimes using their handprints—and then add paper or painted hearts to complete the design. The result is a colorful, love-inspired decoration that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day. Our heart tree craft can be turned into a card that says, “My love for you is tree-mendous!” 😂😂 If you’ve been following along with Fireflies and Mud Pies for a while, you know I can’t resist a cheesy pun for Valentine’s Day!
Looking for another punny Valentine’s Day card? Try our Hedgehog Valentine which reads, “I’m hedge over heels for you!”
Craft Materials Needed for the Heart Tree Craft
Before you begin, gather these simple craft supplies:
- Heart Tree Craft Template (free with email subscription)
- White cardstock
- Scissors
- Glue stick or school glue
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Stapler
- Optional decorations, such as biodegradable glitter or stickers
Watch the Video Tutorial
Watch the video below to see how we made our heart tree craft!
How to Make a Heart Tree Craft
From painting the tree trunk to gluing colorful paper hearts, every step of this craft encourages kids to explore their creativity while celebrating Valentine’s Day. Best of all, it’s a keepsake that families can treasure for years to come. Making a heart tree craft with paper is easy—follow these step-by-step instructions to create yours.
STEP 1: Print the tree template. Start by downloading and printing the heart tree craft printable. Access the materials by clicking the link in the materials list and subscribing to our free craft newsletter. After subscribing, navigate to the post in our Substack titled Heart Tree Craft to find your download link.
Print the free templates on white paper or cardstock. Our template boasts thicker lines for little hands, includes the tree trunk and branches, 3 large hearts, 3 small hearts, and the backing for the card.
STEP 2: Paint the heart tree patterns. Grab a paintbrush, crayons, or colored pencils and decorate your tree! Brown, green, red, and pink paint worked well for us, but feel free to let kids choose their favorite colors.
STEP 3: Cut out the shapes. When the paint is dry, invite kids to cut out the shapes with scissors. Assist younger kids with this step or allow them extra time to complete it. Older children will likely enjoy cutting out their own template independently.
STEP 4: Assemble the craft. Start by stapling the painted tree leaves to the card template, ensuring that it opens and closes easily. Next, attach the tree trunk to the leaves using glue. Finally, glue the hearts onto the top of the tree to complete the project!
STEP 5: Your craft is finished! Kids will enjoy sharing their adorable trees with friends and family and displaying them in their home. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories together!
Helpful Tips for Crafting Success
Use these tips and tricks to ensure your heart tree craft turns out beautifully!
- Pre-Cut Pieces for Younger Kids: Pre-cut the paper shapes to make the process easier for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Involve Older Kids: Older children can help younger kids with cutting and painting.
- Display Their Work: Once finished, tape the heart trees onto windows, refrigerators, or bulletin boards for a festive Valentine’s Day display.
In addition to November, January and February are also great months to talk about thankfulness. You may also enjoy our Gratitude Tree Craft!
Take it Further
Hearts trees are a wonderful winter craft—simple materials, easy steps, and beautiful results that kids will be proud to display.
Want to take this project to the next level? Here are some fun extension ideas:
- Experiment with using a variety of craft supplies, such as tissue paper, construction paper, craft foam, or even old newspapers.
- Discuss the symbolism of hearts and love, or use this activity as a way to talk about trees and the changing seasons.
- Pair this craft with a book about Valentine’s Day.
- Rotate this craft into your classroom craft station.
- Focus on fine motor skills and the process of making this craft, rather than the end result.
- Pair this craft with a Valentine’s Day nature walk, and look for hearts outside!
- This craft isn’t just for Valentine’s Day! Leave off the hearts and enjoy it all year round.
- Offer this craft as a make-and-take at your community library or nature center program.
- Rather than using our full template, make a handprint heart tree!
- Pom Pom Tree Crafts are fun to make. Try making one for Valentine’s Day!
- Create fingerprint hearts on the tree, rather than using the paper heart cutouts.
More Valentine’s Day Craft Ideas for Kids
Need more creative ideas? These simple Valentine’s Day crafts are fun for kids of all ages.
- Owl Valentine Card
- Paper Flower Bouquet Craft
- Heart Buddies Craft for Kid
- Woven Heart Craft for Kids
Save This Craft
Save this craft on Pinterest using the image below!
Want even more?
Make sure to follow on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more easy crafts, activities, recipes, and parenting tips. And don’t forget to subscribe to our emails.