Valentine’s Day is a natural opportunity to talk about Jesus’ love with young children.
For toddlers and preschoolers, love is best understood through simple, hands-on experiences they can see and touch.
Easy crafts like this one give children a gentle way to begin a foundational basic understanding of the love Jesus has for us.
This Valentine craft keeps the focus on Jesus while staying developmentally appropriate, relaxed, and fun for young learners.
This “Jesus Loves Me Craft” Matters for Early Faith
Toddlers are just beginning to learn who Jesus is and what faith means.
At this age, faith grows through simple experiences, repetition, and loving relationships rather than long explanations.
This craft introduces Scripture in a way children can feel and see, not just hear.
It helps little ones understand:
- Jesus loves them deeply and personally
- God’s Word is full of love and care for them
- Faith is something joyful, safe, and connected to everyday life
Early experiences like this can shape how children view Jesus and the Bible for years to come, building a foundation of faith rooted in love.
If you’re looking for other more Jesus Loves Me crafts ideas, check out my adorable Jesus Loves Me Valentines crafts for toddler-friendly inspiration.
Materials You’ll Need
Both versions of the craft use simple supplies that are easy to find at home, in a classroom, or at church.
Basic Supplies
- Printed craft pages (Jesus page and heart pages)
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Child-safe scissors
- Glue stick or school glue
For the Paper Plate Craft (Option 2)
- Paper plate
- Cotton balls (for the clouds)
- String or yarn
- Hole punch (or scissors with adult help)
Using simple materials helps keep the activity focused on the message rather than complicated setup, making it perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
If you want a few more creative craft options, see this cute Valentines craft for kids.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own Jesus and the hearts craft:
Option 1: Jesus with a Heart Booklet
This version creates a small heart-shaped booklet with Bible verses that is attached to the picture of Jesus.
1. Color the pictures
Invite children to color the picture of Jesus and the four heart pages.
They can use any colors they like to decorate the hearts and the banner that says “Jesus Loves Me.”
2. Add cotton balls to the clouds
Pull small pieces of cotton balls apart and glue them onto the cloud shapes around Jesus.
This gives the clouds a soft, fluffy look and adds a fun textured element to the craft.
Let the glue dry before moving on.
3. Cut out the pieces
Carefully cut out:
- The four heart shapes with Bible verses
Younger children may need adult help with cutting.
4. Fold the hearts
Fold each heart down the center so the verse is on the inside of the fold.
This creates pages for a small heart-shaped book.
5. Assemble the heart booklet
Place the folded hearts together and glue the outer edges so they stack like pages.
The hearts will open like a small heart-shaped Bible verse booklet.
6. Attach the booklet
Glue the finished heart booklet onto the large heart area above Jesus where it says “Glue Here.”
Option 2: Paper Plate Jesus Loves Me Craft
This version turns the craft into a hanging decoration with fluffy clouds and a heart booklet that hangs below the plate.
1. Color the Jesus page
Have children color the picture of Jesus and the “Jesus Loves Me” banner.
2. Decorate the clouds
Glue cotton balls onto the clouds around Jesus to make them look soft and fluffy.
This step adds texture that toddlers especially enjoy.
3. Prepare the paper plate
If desired, children can lightly color or paint the paper plate before attaching the craft pieces.
Let it dry if paint is used.
4. Attach the Jesus image
Cut out the colored Jesus picture and glue it to the center of the paper plate.
5. Make the heart booklet
Cut out the four heart shapes and fold each heart in half.
Glue the folded edges together so the hearts create a small heart-shaped booklet with Bible verses inside.
6. Attach the hanging hearts
Punch a small hole at the bottom of the paper plate.
Tie a piece of string or yarn through the hole and attach the heart booklet to the end so it hangs below the plate.
Now the craft becomes a hanging reminder that Jesus loves us.
Looking for other Scripture-based crafts? Try this Days of Creation craft for kids for another simple activity.
Talking with Toddlers About Jesus’ Love
As you work on the craft together, keep conversations simple and gentle.
Remember that toddlers learn best through repetition and short phrases rather than long explanations.
You might also enjoy playing the “Jesus Loves Me” song by the Cedarmont Kids in the background for a fun tune to set the atmosphere.
Tip: Repeat this craft or phrases over a few days. The repetition helps toddlers remember the Scripture and the idea of Jesus’ love as something they can feel and see, not just hear.
If you’re looking for more seasonal craft ideas, you might also enjoy this easy Christian Valentines crafts for kids.
Create a Meaningful Moment This Valentine’s Day
Simple activities can have a powerful impact, especially for young children.
This Jesus Loves Me Valentine craft is an invitation for children to experience faith through love, creativity, and connection.
These moments of showing up, sitting alongside your child, and sharing a calm moment together can shape how children understand Jesus and faith for years to come.
If you try this craft at home, in your classroom, or with a small group, I’d love to hear how it went.
Comment down below and share how your kids responded or how you used this activity!
Looking for an easy, meaningful way to talk about Jesus’ love with toddlers and young children?
This FREE Jesus Loves Me Printable uses a “What does the Bible say?” approach with familiar verses, simple language, and hands-on fun.
Kids can see, color, and come back to Scripture—helping the truth of Jesus’ love stick.
Click below to grab the printables and use them at home or in Sunday School.
FAQs
What age group is this craft best for?
This craft works best for toddlers through early elementary-aged children. Toddlers may need more hands-on help with cutting and folding, while preschoolers and kindergarteners can often complete most steps with light guidance.
Can this craft be used in a classroom or church setting?
Yes, it’s a great fit for classrooms, Sunday school, homeschool groups, or church nurseries. The simple steps and minimal supplies make it easy to prepare for small groups or stations.
How long does this activity usually take?
Most children can complete the craft in about 15–25 minutes, depending on age and how much time they spend coloring. It works well as a short standalone activity or paired with a Bible story or song.
What if my child can’t read the Bible verses yet?
That’s perfectly okay. Adults can read the verses aloud, or simply talk about them in their own words. Hearing Scripture spoken gently still helps children become familiar with God’s Word.
How can I store or display the finished craft?
The completed craft can be hung on the fridge, taped to a wall, added to a Valentine display, or kept in a memory box.
