Hidden Message Valentine Hearts are a special way to let your kids know that you recognize their unique gifts and personalities. Watch their faces light up as a magic message appears on the heart before their eyes.
This is a simple Valentine’s Day activity for kids of all ages – toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten kids and beyond.
While not all kids will be old enough to read the message, all will be able to paint with water colors and watch the secret words take shape. For non-readers, you simply tell them what it says.
If you are looking for other Valentine Day craft ideas, you also might want to consider these Fox Valentine Day Masks or Marbled Valentine’s Day Hearts made from shaving cream.
Hidden Message Valentine Hearts
Note: This post was originally written in February of 2012, but it has since been updated with a better description, photos and a video for your convenience.
As parents, we all want to find special ways to speak truth into the lives of our children. We want them to know they were created with purpose and design. Their gifts, talents and character qualities all work together to make them unique individuals that have much to contribute to the world.
The science is in. Studies show that there is a better way to compliment your kids. The best way to build up your children is to praise effort rather than ability. Read more about that here.
It is essential that we are complimenting our kids. These sweet secret message Valentine’s Day hearts are a just the tool to help us communicate the things on our own hearts.
Materials Needed to Make Hidden Message Valentine Hearts
Neenah Bright White Cardstock, 8.5UCEC 6 Colorful Decorative PaperCrayola 52-0836-053, Standard, WhiteCrayola Washable Watercolors, 16 CountTranson Round Watercolor Detail Paint
How to Make Hidden Message Valentine Hearts
Hiding secret messages in hearts is simple. At the end of this post you will find a video tutorial to follow if you are more of a visual person.
Take a sheet of white stock paper and fold it in half. Cut a half heart shape from the edge of the paper.
I like to use scissors with a unique edge so that it looks fancy, but plain scissors work as well. Don’t let a lack of supplies or a budget keep you from doing this simple and inexpensive craft. Use what you have on hand.
Next, use a white crayon to write a sweet message to your child. You will want to go over your letters a handful of times so that you are assured the white crayon is well established on the page.
The final step is to just use water color paints to paint the entire heart. Kids can use a variety of colors or a solid color. The message will magically appear as they paint.
You can use a paper towel or tissue to blot the heart dry and help the message to appear.
Having issues? Try coloring your words stronger with the white crayon. Use less water in the paint for bolder colors. I used both Crayola white crayon (nothing special) and Crayola water color paints.
Do Kids Make These Hidden Message Hearts or Do Parents Make the Valentine’s Day Secret Message Heart Craft?
This is an activity that can be done by kids and/or parents.
One thought is to draw the heart shape and let them cut it out. Then, you secretly write the messages on them but let the kids paint the hearts.
Another option is that you, the parent or teacher, can do all the steps leading up to the painting.
If you are like me and want to encourage sibling relationships, you could have the kids make them for one another.
How you present this craft can be unique and fun too. Why not hide them all over their house with their name written on the back and go on a heart hunt?
You could have the blank hearts littered on the table when they get home from school, and just encourage them to paint, not indicating that there is anything special about the hearts.
Maybe slip a heart into their lunch box with some water colors.
This could be a breakfast activity on Valentine’s Day too. To make it even more special, I have a fun idea for Valentine’s Day breakfast here.
Holidays are the perfect time to create happy memories that build into their sense of belonging and of family. I hope these Hidden Message Valentine Hearts help inspire their sense of the love you have for them.
Want More Valentine’s Day Idea for Kids?
Visit my Valentine’s Day Tab for all of my Valentine ideas.
Homemade Water Color Valentines
Lovely…… 🙂 Hugs to you lovely angels…..
Thanks so much.
Ok, so i thought this was a FABULOUS idea, especially since my son is into Magic Tree House books right now, which are all about clues and such. So I tried it. How long before the message shows up? He’s not seeing my message and we’ve been painting for a while! Does it have to dry first?
I didn’t have any problems. You used white crayon and then water colors? I have had other friends do it too. I did do the white crayon a bit thicker than a normal line. I kind of went back and forth over it a few times. I don’t know what else to suggest. It was such a fun activity for us. I’m sorry you are having problems.
your idea is amazing!!!!!!! I love the tie-dye hearts!
Thanks so much! Have fun with it!
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