Looking for a simple yet engaging Valentine’s Day craft that your preschooler will love? In this post, I'll be sharing a fun heart art activity perfect for the holiday. This easy sponge painting activity not only creates a beautiful keepsake but also helps develop fine motor skills! Best of all, it requires just a few basic materials that you likely already have at home.

Gather These Items:

• Blank cardstock or copy paper

• Construction paper (any colour)

• Scissors

• Painter’s tape or Scotch tape

• Washable paint (colours of choice)

• Paper plate or any surface to pour paint onto

• Sponge

• Optional: paintbrush (for mixing colours)

Make the Sponge Painting:

1. Cut: Start by cutting the sponge into four smaller pieces. This will make it easier for little hands to grip. Cutting the sponge material may be difficult for children, if so, have an adult complete this step.

2. Cut: Cut a heart shape from construction paper. If your little one is able to use scissors well, you can draw a heart on the paper and have them cut it out. Or, you can cut the heart shape out yourself ahead of time. It does not matter what colour the heart is, as it will be removed at the end.

3. Tape: Use some small loops of painter's tape or scotch tape to secure the heart to the center of the cardstock. You'll want to ensure the heart shape does not move easily, but can be removed after the painting is complete.

4. Pour: Pour a small amount of the paint colours you'd like to use onto the paper plate (or other surface). We've chosen red, white, and blue so that we can mix colours to make pink and purple.

5. Paint: Have your child dip the sponge into the paint and then dab the paint onto the cardstock. Show them how to dab (press down and lift up) rather than smearing or dragging the sponge. This will ensure paint does not get under the heart shape.

Optional: For added learning, have your child do some colour mixing! Start with red, then use a paintbrush to mix red and blue to make purple, or red and white to make pink!

Ready to learn about colours? Our Colours Preschool Starter Pack includes a variety of print-at-home activities to introduce and practice nine basic colours with your little one! Click below to get started!

6. Reveal: Once your child has finished painting, carefully remove the heart shape before the paint dries. This will leave a crisp heart-shaped space in the middle of the artwork, creating a beautiful contrast against the painted background! Try to do this step quickly, as it can be more difficult to remove the heart once the paint has dried.

7. Dry: Allow the painting to dry completely.

8. Sign (optional): Once dry, write a note in the heart space and have your child sign their name! Your child can then gift their artwork to a loved one as a Valentine's surprise!

Looking for more February fun? Our February Morning Basket contains an assortment of February themed printables for learning at home with your little one! Click below to grab yours today!

Did you enjoy this Valentine's Day activity? Let us know or tag us in your photos on instagram @littlenorthernlearners!