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This post is all about how to create a Valentine’s Day Basket for Kids
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Looking to create a special Valentine’s Day surprise for your little one? As a mom of two girls (3 years and 3 months), I’ve discovered that putting together the perfect Valentine’s gifts for kids is about creating magical moments they’ll remember. I’m sharing my complete guide to crafting Valentine’s Day baskets filled with gifts your little girls will actually love and use, including what I’m including in my daughters’ baskets this year and items from previous baskets we still love.
From the perfect containers to the most-loved gifts for each age, I’m walking you through exactly how to create thoughtful Valentine’s Day baskets that will light up your daughter’s face. We’ll start with presentation tips (because the unwrapping is half the fun!), then dive into specific gift ideas that I’ve personally tested with my own girls. Whether you’re a seasoned pro at holiday baskets or creating your first Valentine’s surprise, I’m sharing all my mom-tested tips for making this Valentine’s Day special without breaking the bank.
What Is a Valentine’s Day Gift Basket?
A Valentine’s Day gift basket for kids is exactly what it sounds like – a curated collection of small gifts and treats presented in a special way for February 14th. Think of it as a mini-holiday basket, similar to an Easter basket but with a love-themed twist. It can be as simple or elaborate as you choose, filled with anything from practical items to small toys and treats your little one will adore.
Why Create a Valentine’s Day Basket?
First, let me be clear: Valentine’s Day baskets aren’t a necessity, and there’s absolutely no pressure to add another holiday tradition to your plate. But here’s why I choose to do them for my girls:
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love – it’s about celebrating all kinds of love, including the special bond between a parent and child. For me, it’s become a way to make my daughters feel cherished and special through thoughtfully chosen gifts I know they’ll actually use and enjoy.
My three-year-old, still regularly plays with and treasures the items from her past Valentine’s baskets because each one was chosen with her specific interests in mind. (Last year’s Valentine’s dress was such a hit that we had an epic battle of wills when she finally outgrew it but still insisted on wearing it!) It’s not about the quantity of gifts or creating an elaborate display – it’s about those small, meaningful moments of joy when they discover something picked just for them.
Setting the Stage: Choosing Your Valentine’s Day Container
Let’s start with the foundation of any great Valentine’s Day surprise – the container! While traditional baskets are always lovely, I’ve found a few creative alternatives that work perfectly:
- Classic Baskets
A traditional basket is perfect if you’re planning to display the gifts before the big reveal. Look for ones with a wider base to keep everything stable and visible. Pro tip: white or pink baskets create that perfect Valentine’s Day feel and can be reused for Easter! - Heart-Themed Gift Bags
For a simpler option that’s just as special, Valentine’s gift bags are perfect. They’re easier to store than baskets and usually more budget-friendly. Plus, they make the perfect backdrop for that early morning surprise! - Reusable Heart Bags
My personal favorite option! These adorable heart-printed bags can become part of your yearly tradition. They fold flat for storage and your little one can get excited about seeing “their” special Valentine’s bag each year.
Making It Pretty: The Presentation
No matter which container you choose, tissue paper is your best friend! Here’s how I like to set everything up:
- Let some peek over the edges for that festive touch
- Create a tissue paper “nest” for smaller items so they don’t get lost at the bottom
- Use white tissue paper as a base to make colorful gifts pop
Heart-Themed Gift Bags
Classic Baskets
Reusable Heart Bags
Heart Tissue Paper
Valentine’s Gifts for Babies (3 Months – 1 Year)
Let’s start with the littlest valentines! For my three-month-old, I’m focusing on sensory play and teething relief since that’s where we are in our journey. Here’s what’s going in her basket this year:
- Sophie the Giraffe Teething Toy: A classic for a reason! My little one’s starting to discover her gums, and Sophie is perfect for those early teething days with its easy-to-grasp design and safe chewing surfaces.
- “Dragon’s First Taco” Book: I love creating little connections between my girls, so this book is perfect since it matches an item in big sister’s basket (see 3-5 section).
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Crinkle Book: This crinkly, textured book is perfect for sensory exploration during tummy time. The high-contrast colors are especially engaging for young babies.
- Wiggle Worm Sensory Toy: Babies are fascinated by movement at this age, and this colorful worm is ideal for tracking practice and encouraging reaching. The different textures are perfect for little hands to explore.
- Baby-Safe Fidget Spinners: These are amazing for visual development and encouraging my little one to focus on moving objects. I love watching her eyes follow the gentle spinning motion.
- A Sweet Valentine’s Day Outfit: Because even our tiniest valentines deserve to dress up! I love including a special outfit in both girls’ baskets – it’s become our little tradition. For my littlest one, I’m choosing something soft and comfy with a touch of holiday charm, perfect for those endless baby photos we all take!
Valentine’s Gifts for Young Toddlers (1-2 Years)
Looking back at what was in Hazel’s basket last year, these gifts were absolute winners and got so much use throughout the year:
- “Bananas for You” Book: This silly book quickly became a bedtime favorite! The simple, repetitive phrases got so many giggles, and it was heartwarming to watch her learn to anticipate the fun parts.
- “Llama Llama I Love You” Board Book: Nothing beats hearing your toddler repeat “love you!” while trying to read along. This book is sturdy enough for independent “reading” and short enough to hold their attention.
- Valentine’s Wooden Puzzles: These simple puzzles were perfect for her developing problem-solving skills. The valentine’s theme made them extra special, and she was so proud when she could complete them by herself.
- LeapFrog Scout and Violet 100 Words Book (in purple, her favorite!): This was a huge hit, especially the animal page. She would spend ages pressing the buttons, learning new words, and mimicking animal sounds. It’s been amazing watching her vocabulary grow with this toy.
- A Twirly Heart Dress: Because at this age, every occasion calls for a dress that spins! She wore this one constantly – it was perfect for impromptu dance parties and made every day feel special.
- Classic Building Blocks: While these started as towers to knock down (always a hit!), they eventually became tools for creative building. The simple toy that grew with her skills!
Valentine’s Gifts for Older Toddlers (3+ Years)
Now for Hazel’s basket this year! While she’d probably be thrilled playing with her baby sister’s toys (she’s still having a good time with Willow’s Christmas toys), I’ve curated some special items just for my three-year-old:
- Lady and the Tramp and Dragons Love Tacos Tonies: This has become our favorite screen-free entertainment option! The Lady and the Tramp Tonie feeds her Disney love, while Dragons Love Tacos brings her favorite bedtime story to life in a new way.
- A Heart-Patterned Pink Dress: Since Hazel exclusively wears dresses (and I mean exclusively – this girl will not wear pants!), this heart-printed dress in her favorite color is sure to be a winner.
- New Barbie: Adding to her growing collection! She loves creating stories with her Barbies, and a new friend is always welcome to the party.
- Piggy Polish: Safe, washable nail polish for our little fashionista. Perfect for mommy-daughter manicure sessions!
- “Love from the Crayons” Book: We’re huge fans of the Crayon books in our house. These stories teach emotional intelligence in such a sweet, accessible way, and the illustrations always capture her attention.
- “Grumpy Monkey Valentine’s Gross Out“ Book: The first one in this series makes her giggle every time! This is the perfect blend of holiday theme and silly humor that preschoolers love.
- Travel Magnatiles: I always keep a set of mini magnatiles in the diaper bag for restaurant entertainment! Pink and purple are her favorite colors so I know this set will be a huge hit.
Creating Your Valentine’s Day Basket Tradition
After sharing all these gift ideas, here’s what I really want you to remember: Valentine’s Day baskets aren’t about the amount you spend or checking every box. They’re about creating a special moment of joy and letting your little one know they’re loved. Sometimes the simplest gifts – like a book you’ll read together or a dress that makes them twirl – become the most treasured.
Tips for Starting Your Own Valentine’s Day Basket Tradition
- Keep It Manageable: Start small! You don’t need to include all the bells and whistles. Even just a book and a small treat in a special bag can make the day magical.
- Think Beyond the Holiday: Choose items they can enjoy year-round. That’s why I focus on their current interests and developmental stages rather than just holiday-themed items.
- Document the Joy: Take pictures of them with their baskets each year. It’s amazing to look back and see how they’ve grown and how their interests have changed.
- Create a Special Reveal: Whether it’s setting up the basket the night before for an early morning surprise or making it part of your Valentine’s Day breakfast, having a consistent tradition makes it more special.
- Save the Containers: If you use a reusable container or bag, pack it away with your Valentine’s decorations. There’s something magical about bringing out “their” special basket or bag each year.
- Include Something to Share: Consider adding an item they can share with their sibling or friend – it’s a sweet way to teach them about spreading love to others.
Remember, the best part about starting a Valentine’s Day basket tradition is making it your own. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, what matters most is the love and thought you put into it. And who knows? That Valentine’s dress or special book might just become the thing they never want to part with – even when they’ve outgrown it!
If you’re making a Valentine’s basket, what are you including in yours?