Family-Friendly Valentine’s Day Ideas Under $50

By Felice Bochman, February 4, 2009

Need ideas for spending Valentine’s Day as a family unit, but without spending a ton of dough? Check out these gift and craft ideas for toddlers to teens (or both!), broken down by budget:

Under $50

Multiple Children on the Cheap
When buying for several kids, check the clearance racks at your local Gap, Old Navy, Children’s Place, or similar department store. There you should find plenty of Valentine-able items: headbands, socks, boxers, hats, and mittens (but check end-caps and impulse buys). Visit your local bookstore or Amazon.com for pens, calendars, and journals on sale now. (I bought journals and pens for six nieces and nephews for less than $50 total at one local chain!)

The One Kid Splurge
For the teen gal, go for a manicure or pedicure (or a mini mani-pedi combo, including tip). For a teen guy, check out Target or Eastbay for gift cards and logo hoodies and T-shirts from their favorite teams. If they’re more of an individual, try an “out to eat with Mom/Dad” night. Make your child or teen an invitation on a note card decorated with Valentine’s Day stickers. Pick a date and then head to the restaurant for a late lunch or early dinner as soon as school gets out to rack up serious savings. Depending on the restaurant, you can do this for two kids (even if you bring each kid separately) as long as you skip the sodas.

Under $25

Blockbuster Bargains
For a teen who loves movies, $25 is the perfect amount to get them both a ticket and a snack. Check out Fandango to buy gift certificates online that they can then redeem at the theater of their choice.

Arts & Crafts

Crafting supplies can set you back a bit, but below you’ll find four crafting categories and activities that’ll keep your budget intact.

Painted frames: Use spray paint to decorate inexpensive frames from your local craft store (but read those warning labels first!). When dry, use glue to decorate your frame with buttons or shells. If your kids are really young, forget the spray paint. Use tempera paints or markers. You can always make a popsicle stick frame—especially good for large groups of kids. Don’t forget the self-sticking magnets or magnet tape so those frames can stick to the fridge.

Wreaths: Buy wreath frames (five to seven inches in diameter) made from grapevine and a few silk flowers or flowering vines and berries from your local craft store. Attach to wreath with florist wire (available in the same aisle, usually for around $4.00) and add a bow (if you’re still on budget).

Handprint kits (ceramic or paints): Most craft stores carry ceramic handprint kits for $10 to $15, sometimes less online at Amazon. They’re easy to use, but you need drying time, which is not good for a last minute gift. Paint may or may not be included in the kit. If you like ceramics and want something even easier, you’ll also find paintable mugs or animals at your local craft store. For painted handprints and footprints, paint the underside of your little one’s hand or foot and press gently on a small sheet of watercolor paper. Be sure to double check that the paint or ink is safe to put directly on skin. Let dry and frame. Or, paint your toddler’s feet and have them walk all over a poster-sized sheet of paper—results are great, though your tot might be little unpredictable!

Fabric paint: You can purchase inexpensive sweatshirts, T-shirts, handkerchiefs, and aprons for under $10 at your local craft store. Buy fabric paint in squeezable bottles. Do a sketch of your painting before applying paint to fabric. Then, lightly draw the sketch again on the fabric and apply paint—squeeze gently and always do a “test squeeze” on a piece of paper first. Read the back of the paint bottle to see if the garment should be washed before painting, and whether or not it will be washer-safe afterwards, for best results.

Under $10

Drugstore to the rescue! Don’t limit yourself to just the holiday aisle, either. A little candy in a mini gift bag (with tissue paper) is perfect. Sounds too easy, but kids love it. Anti-candy? There are a ton of mini-gifts kids will love to be found at the drugstore: nail polish, crayons, markers, funky little toys from the “toy” aisle, mini-hairbrushes, playing cards, hair accessories, small journals, drawing paper, and more. Tip: Stay on budget buy finding a gift for around $5.00—with tissue, bag, and tax you’ll be near $10 before you know it.

(Practically) Free

We love coupons for kids. Use note cards, construction paper, or index cards (and envelopes, if you have them). On each card, write down the special bonus your kid will receive from you when they redeem the coupon.

Here’s a sample set of six coupons that would work great for kids ages 8 to 11:

1. You’re great, stay up late! Stay up 30 minutes later than your usual bedtime on the night of your choice (but ONLY if your homework is done!)

2. Chores a bore? A “get out of chores” free card! Take a break for a week. This one’s on mom or dad.

3. Meal Steal. Mom or Dad is the chef and you’re the customer. Order up your favorite dinner menu on any weekend evening.

4. Handy Candy. Get one sweet treat from the grocery store on the next trip. Yes, it can be the one you always ask for at the check-out!

5. Extra-Extra, read all about it. Get one extra “thing” at your request (an extra cookie? An extra book at bedtime?) Your “extra” wish is my command! Due to the unpredictable nature of this coupon, parents will have final approval.

6. Bonus Onus. Turn in this coupon and your brother or sister of choice will tell you that you’re the total bomb-diggity! [Note to parents—a major sense of humor is required pull this one off—do NOT use to fix a fight or for other therapeutic results.]

Finally, the classic $0 Valentine’s Day gift: pink pancakes! Use a few drops of red food coloring in your pancake batter—pour on to grill in a heart shape (or not!).

“Love coupons” work great for your significant other too (wink, wink)! Check out this week’s guide, Cheapskate Cupid: Valentine’s Day on a Dime, for more ideas to spending time with your sweetie on a Shoestring.

And, remember: kisses and hugs—and love—are always free.