As much as I love a conversation heart and chocolates, I try my hardest to give candy-free Valentines to my children’s classmates. Which is ironic coming from me, isn’t it? I have no problem with candy, it is a holiday after all. My issue is the amount of candy that goes home. I remember last year my daughter coming home with a really large bag full to the brim with candy. Most of it got thrown away and I feel bad about that. I also try to be respectful of the children with food allergies that cannot eat or have candy. So I try to come up with cute Valentine’s that a) everyone can have b) is a little bit different and c) the boys and the girls will both like. These Have a Ball Valentine’s were a huge hit. They cost less than a bag of candy to make, took maybe 30 minutes from start to finish, and most importantly, William loved handing them out to this friends.
I bough the rubber balls at the dollar store. They came in packs of 3. I used cello bags from Michaels and I printed out the tag onto heavy cardstock and stapled them on. I am attaching the PDF of the tag for you to download for your little Valentine. Click to download.
I got this adorable idea from Danyelle at Dandee Designs. Here are some more adorable candy-free Valentine ideas.
I Wheelie Like You from Mique from 30 Handmade Days
This sweet heart bookmark from Martha.
Dino-Mite Valentine from Family Fun.
Mix CD Valentine also from Dandee Designs.
What do you give for your child’s Valentine’s?
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Stephanie Meckfessel - Who can keep up with the busloads of candy smuggled into our house? I’m okay with a treat or two every day, but we seem to get enough for the whole village.
So we give crayon hearts Valentines every February. We melt down our peeled, multi-hued fragments in a mini-heart-shaped muffin pan. The results are so cheerful and surprising.
We’ll wrap them in a cellophane bag attached with a note that says something like, “Color your day sweet, Valentine!” Now that’s my kind of cooking!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58066769@N05/5404800287/in/set-72157625918654594/
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Marcie - I agree … I try to go the sugar-free route as much as possible for Valentines
I love to make photo valentines with my kiddos — they are silly and the kids have fun at their winter “photoshoot” with mom 
I posted my cards on my blog: http://www.utahcountyfamilyphotography.com/2011/02/valentines-photo-inspiration/
Tiffany - This is exactly the idea I needed – we’re making these today! Thank you, thank you!
Marci@OvercomingBusy - Love the ball idea! I am always stumped when it comes to valentines for boys
Lyndee - Oh my gosh, you are my HERO!!! I have scoured the internet looking for a cute idea for Valentines day that (hopefully!) won’t break the bank–you just gave it to me!
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!!
Jesse {GoodGirlGoneGlad} - What a cute idea! Love the ball in the bag! =)
Tracie - We will be making a few of these to go to the few people we do Valentine’s with and I know it will be a huge hit!! Thanks!!
For our own children, we have 4 tiny ($1 section at Target) buckets that are red with white hearts all over them. We will fill them with a pack of favorite gum, a favorite candy bar, some pencils/pens and something else very small ( a new car, some chap stick, something). We found the buckets this year and it’s going to be our new tradition–almost candy free!!
Stephanie Meckfessel - Who can keep up with the busloads of candy smuggled into our house? I’m okay with a treat or two every day, but we seem to get enough for the whole village.
So we give crayon hearts Valentines every February. We melt down our peeled, multi-hued fragments in a mini-heart-shaped muffin pan. The results are so cheerful and surprising.
We’ll wrap them in a cellophane bag attached with a note that says something like, “Color your day sweet, Valentine!” Now that’s my kind of cooking!
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - simply fabulous ideas! thanks for collecting them!
~h
tracy - sooo adorable! thanks so much for the inspiration to make my son’s valentine’s a little extra special…
Bree - glad that I could help out!
Anita Birch - Hi Bree,
Thanks for adding this free pdf download for the “Have a Ball” valentine! My son saw these on Pinterest and said that was what he wanted to make for Valentines Day! Just a silly, quick question…should the words be printed upside down? I was wondering how I was going to fold them over the top of the bag, and I can’t figure it out
Could you help me please? Thanks so much! I hope I’m not too much of a bother!
Anonymous - Thank you for noticing! I fixed the download, and you should be good to go now.
Anita Birch - Thanks! I truly appreciate it!
Lindsay @Artsy-Fartsy Mama - This is such a fun idea!! I featured you on my blog today, stop by & grab a button!
http://artsyfartsymama.blogspot.com/2012/02/pinteresting-features-n-shtuff-21.html
Homemade Valentine Ideas For Kids {Or adults. I like these too!} | Saving Stace - [...] is a super cool idea from The Creative Mama. She even includes FREE printable gift tags! I like the idea of giving a fun toy, that the kids can [...]
Dena - Can you please tell me what size Rubber Balls you used for this? My dollar store didn’t have any and I may have to resort to ordering some off the net!