Chocolatiers and florists would have us believe Valentine’s Day is all about romance, but we know the truth. It’s all about cutting out 8 zillion classroom valentines. (Ha.)
The truth is, when you become a parents, any excuse to shower our kids with a little extra love is a good one, but there’s no reason to blow our whole budget on Valentine’s gifts for the kids. We’ve found some fun, affordable Valentine’s gifts for kids, toddlers to teens — that are all under $15.
Put the savings toward that extra-large box of gourmet chocolate for yourself.
I mean, uh, your partner. Obviously.
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Related: Dozens of creative last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts that don’t seem last minute at all
The fun sock trend isn’t going away this year, and these Conversation Heart socks are a cool but affordable Valentine’s gift fo kids that that your teen (or tween with big feet) will love. ($4 at Target)
I wasn’t sure I could love anything more than Doby loves socks, but these Harry Potter engraved pencils from Etsy shop Life is Rosier are pretty close. These will be going in my own HP-obsessed tween’s Valentine’s Day gift bag this year. And be sure to browse through the shop for lots of fun options. ($12 at Life is Rosier on Etsy)
Our kids are always excited to get cool tattoos from Tattly for any occasion, and these simple I (Heart) You tattoos will be on their skin before they’re out the door for school this Valentine’s Day. ($5 at Tattly)
Related: 10 easy Valentine’s Day crafts that make cool handmade gifts
Not every Valentine’s Day gift for kids has to be pink or red. This blue kawaii narwhal notebook would thrill so many of the narwhal-obsessed little loves in our lives. ($13.70 by Sugarhai on Zazzle)
With all of the times I’ve told my kids “no” when we pass the Godiva store at the mall, this classic heart-shaped box of Godiva chocolates would feel like a totally splurgy Valentine’s gift for kids — even though it totally isn’t. ($7 at Godiva)
Related: 19 wildly creative, free printable valentines for the classroom
In the book Love Is by Diane Adams, a little girl and a baby duck form a special bond as they grow and care for each other, but they learn that sometimes love means letting go. Oof, this one is a tear-jerker for those of us parents with kids getting older before we’re ready for it. Which is all of us, right? ($11 at Amazon)
I love getting my kids a Jellycat plush for Valentine’s Day each year, because OMG they are soooo soft. This big-eared Jellycat Mouse plush is calling my name this year. In fact, add it to our list of 10 of the cutest first Valentine’s Day gifts for babies because it totally is. ($15 on Amazon)
I love the simple, creative coloring books by XO-LP, and her Valentine’s All Hearts coloring book is a sweet, affordable Valentine’s gift on its own or as part of a little goodie bag. ($6 at XO-LP)
Can you even look at this Crazy Little Thing Called Love tee by Junk Food without singing along? I can’t. Adorable and affordable gift for kids 2-5T. ($10 at Target)
Related:10 of the cutest first Valentine’s Day gifts for babies
This wobbly wooden stacking tower for toddlers are in the perfect Valentine’s gift-ready colors. It’s not only beautiful, it’s wildly affordable on sale right now. ($12.97 on sale from Land of Nod)
You can never go wrong with sugar, and for a Valentine’s Day gift for kids, they’d tell you that layering sugar-upon-sugar is even better. That’s why I have my eye on these chocolate-and-sprinkles covered Valentine’s Day Oreos. Yum. ($9 at Dylan’s Candy Bar)
The geeky pixel heart stud earrings spotted on Etsy are so awesome for your little gamer, whether they’re an Undertale fan or not. ($7.99 on sale at Straight Up Geek)
Love, the new book from Newbery-award winning author Matt de la Peña (with illustrations by Loren Long), is joyful and beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. It covers the childhood experiences of love and loss, and the way back to love again, all described with poetic beauty. ($12 at Amazon)
This non-toxic pink “Pucker Up” nail polish by Ella + Mila is the perfect shade for any tween or teen who wanting to feel extra fancy on Valentine’s day. ($10.50 at Ulta)
If you’ve got a cynical teen to shop for, and you’re willing to get a little edgy, we’re laughing so hard at this set of candy heart enamel pins on Etsy featuring…less conventional conversation heart messages. Frankly, we might keep them all for ourselves. ($8 from Mouthn Trousers)
