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The focus of Valentine’s Day is often centered on significant others, whether you’re shopping for a grill-fanatic husband or a puzzle-enthusiast girlfriend. But love takes on many different forms, so why not celebrate the love you have for your little ones as well? While candy is typically a surefire hit, anything from a cuddly teddy bear to a classic bedtime story can be a thoughtful, inexpensive way to express your appreciation for your kiddos — so we’ve rounded up 30 great options that are just as sweet as sugar (even though, with one too-cool exception, they don’t contain any). Many of the Valentine’s Day gifts below are things we’ve written about before or are from some of our favorite brands, so they’re sure to delight your kiddo. And if you’re still searching for the perfect gift for all the other special someones in your life, check out our one-stop shop of all our Valentine’s Day gift guides.
$10 and under
Here’s a set of classic Coca-Cola flavors that comes in a heart-shaped tin for the kid who loves to drink Coke but only gets it as a treat.
These glittery tattoos are easily shareable with friends as they come in a set of three sheets.
Scented pencils might be just the thing to get your kiddo to finish writing their Valentine’s Day cards. Made of recycled newspaper, these come in five fun scents: bubble gum, jelly bean, cotton candy, tutti frutti, and sour apple.
Kids go wild for these blind balls from Miniverse that include a tiny tasty treat they can create using resin that cures in sunlight.
The crafty kid can create their own Valentine’s Day notes to give out to their friends using this ten-card kit that includes googly eyes and foam embellishments.
They’ll love these color-changing mood lockets they can trade with their friends.
For the kid who’s obsessed with the Little Blue Truck series of books, they’ll want this Valentine’s Day edition in their collection.
Plus-Plus’s on-the-go tubes are some of our favorite toys. This one contains 70 mini-pieces that come together to create three hearts, but your builder can construct whatever they please.
This little sticker book is filled with old-timey bears, doggies, and kitties, all a-glitter with the spirit of Valentine’s Day.
Your Minecraft fan will enjoy endless play with this special-edition UNO deck that features characters from the beloved video game and a special rule card.
For the slime-obsessed, here’s a DIY kit that requires only water to get started. They can also add in a surprise figurine if they so desire.
These mini metal tins come with four charms and real working stationery, like a tiny notebook, eraser, pen, stapler, and more. Kids can dangle them from their backpacks, too.
Your Valentine will get a kick out of this 3-D card featuring the “Peanuts” gang.
$20 and under
Instead of opting for character-themed Valentine’s Day cards for the class, go with these funny vintage-inspired puppies that are sure to tickle their fancy.
Mont (a pink and rather adorable ’Mallow monster) is a dessert psychic, apparently, and “can see into the future of any sweet treat.”
Start off Valentine’s morning with mini heart-shaped waffles that will get your kiddo psyched for the day. They can even help you make them.
This is not a regular sticker book: It’s a sticker book of (reusable) gems.
This is the mini-toaster version of the holiday-hit oven and comes with two scented “toasty treatz” that are revealed when you put the (plain) bread into the pop-up machine.
This sweet little chocolate Labrador stuffie would go nicely with some real chocolate for your Valentine.
If they’re too old for stuffed animals, they might get a kick out of the iconic digital pet of the ’90s. Your child will learn to feed it, clean up after it, and make sure it’s well-loved.
A snuggly teddy bear is a tried-and-true Valentine’s Day gift, and Snuffles — shown here in a holiday-appropriate purple version — is a classic and one of GUND’s most beloved bears going on 40-plus years.
Your kid will love flexing their creativity by stringing together these wooden heart and butterfly beads to form their own unique necklaces.
$40 and under
Your kiddo will love this plushy heart they can wear as a purse — and also use as a repository for all the Valentine’s Day treats they’ll be receiving.
A little love-bug plushie accompanies this set of 12 Valentine’s Day cards that includes stickers and sweet prompts to help your little one send notes of appreciation to their friends.
Putty is a little less messy than slime, and Crazy Aarons — a favorite of tween boys — makes some fun concoctions, including this love-themed set that includes a scented putty.
If your child really wants to stand out from the crowd, check out these Valentine’s cards that come with real heart-shaped crystals.
Yes, this is candy, but candy they make themselves. Rather than just buying them a big box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, this food-science kit will challenge your kid to create their own crystal rock candies, lollipops, chewy jelly candies, and more.
We’ll take any excuse to get another set of Hanna Andersson PJs, especially if it’s holiday themed.
For the littler Valentine, Mori’s sleepwear for infants is so incredibly soft and sweet.
For the tasteful child who only wears stripes, here’s a Breton-style tee that features a cascade of holiday-appropriate colorful hearts.
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