Looking for a simple preschool Valentine’s craft? This wooden lacing toy is inexpensive, quick to assemble—even last-minute—and perfect for little hands.
Finding an original preschool Valentine craft can feel impossible after seeing the same ideas everywhere. When I spotted plain wooden shapes online, they instantly reminded me of classic wooden lacing toys used in early childhood programs. These mini lacing toys make thoughtful, developmentally useful Valentines for classmates and preschool friends.
Lacing toys support fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and basic problem solving in young children (usually appropriate for ages 3 and up). They’re easy to customize, attractive, and simple to put together with minimal supplies.
Make a batch for your child’s class, tuck them into party goodie bags, or hand them out at a preschool celebration—this tutorial walks you through an efficient and kid-friendly process.
Supplies Needed for the Wooden Lacing Toy
- Wooden shapes — I used 80mm wooden hearts.
- Cording or rope — a faux-suede cord works well in a short length for threading and tying.
- Painters tape (or masking tape, though painters tape tends to perform better on thin wood)
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Electric drill and drill bit sized for the cord
- Optional: paint, paint markers, crayons, permanent markers, or wood stain for decorating
How to Make an Easy Preschool Valentine (DIY Lacing Toy)
1. Decorate the wooden shapes
Decide whether you want to leave the wooden pieces plain or decorate them. If you choose decoration, paint, draw, or stain each shape before drilling holes.
Quick decorating ideas:
- Stain the front and back a slightly different shade for subtle contrast.
- Let your child paint simple designs with fast-drying paints or paint markers.
- Have kids draw with crayons or markers for a cheerful, hands-on activity.
We mixed plain hearts with painted ones. Paint markers or paint sticks are ideal because they’re less messy than traditional paint and dry very fast—often in under a minute—so kids can help and finish decorating quickly.
2. Tape a stack together
Stack 5–10 wooden shapes and secure them with painters tape. Cover any area that will be drilled so the wood is less likely to split. Painters tape adheres well and peels cleanly from thin wood; masking tape is an alternative if needed.
3. Mark the hole pattern
Use a pencil to mark where you want the holes on the tape-wrapped stack. You can place one hole in the center, a few around the edge, or create a simple pattern that the child can follow when lacing.
4. Drill the holes
Carefully drill through the stacked shapes at the marked points. Drill at a moderate speed and consider using a lower power setting to minimize splintering and keep the cuts clean.
5. Remove tape and clean
Peel away the tape and brush out any wood dust or debris from the holes. If needed, sand the edges lightly for a smoother finish.
6. Cut and attach the cord
Cut lengths of cord long enough to thread through the holes and tie into a small bundle or knot at the end so pieces don’t slide off. Bundle one cord with several shapes to make a single lacing toy or package individual hearts with shorter cords.
Package each toy in a small envelope, glassine bag, or mini drawstring pouch for a pretty classroom-ready presentation.
7. Add a printable or handwritten message
Include a short message on a tag that ties to the theme of lacing or sewing. Cute sample phrases:
- We have a common THREAD Valentine.
- You make me SEW happy.
- Our class would KNOT be as fun without you.
- I like you SEW much.
- You’re the best! SEW will you be my Valentine?
Variations and embellishments
Customize each lacing toy with stickers, glitter glue, googly eyes, or adhesive gems. Use wooden alphabet letters to spell out short messages like BE MINE on a series of hearts. The basic kit can be dressed up or kept simple depending on time, age group, and materials on hand.
These make thoughtful, educational Valentines that children enjoy both making and using. They’re hands-on, help develop important early skills, and are simple to produce in multiples for a classroom.
Easy Preschool Valentine Craft (DIY Lacing Toy)
Brittni
Equipment
- Scissors
- Drill and drill bit
Ingredients
- Wooden shapes
- Cording or rope
- Painters tape
- Pencil
- Optional: paint, crayons, markers, or wood stain
Instructions
Embellish the wooden shapes
- Decide whether you want to leave the shapes plain or personalize them. If personalizing, paint, draw, or stain before drilling.
- Quick-dry paint markers work well and allow kids to participate—most pieces can be decorated in minutes.
Tape a stack together
- Stack 5–10 shapes and wrap them with painters tape to prevent splitting when drilling.
- Painters tape usually peels cleanly and protects thin wooden pieces better than other tapes.
Mark and drill
- Mark hole placements on the taped stack with a pencil.
- Drill carefully at a moderate speed; using a lower power setting helps keep the wood from splintering.
Finish assembly
- Remove tape and clean out wood dust. Sand lightly if desired.
- Cut lengths of cord, thread through the holes, and tie or bundle them for gifting. Package in small bags or envelopes for distribution.
- Add a themed message or tag and they’re ready to hand out at Valentine’s Day.
That’s it—this wooden lacing toy is an easy, practical, and charming preschool Valentine craft. It’s a great project to make with kids and to give to young friends in the classroom.
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