A Simple Valentine Monoprinting Project for Kids

If your social feeds are filled with Valentine’s day basket hauls that give you the hives just imagining all the extra junk that would be in your house, FULL STOP on this blog post. I will admit I have a beef with holiday baskets of any kind, but particularly Valentine’s day baskets. Valentine’s Day should be about love, connection, and little gestures of joy—not about scrambling to buy a $20 basket filled with trinkets things my child didn’t ask for and will forget by next week. At the end of the day, love isn’t something you buy in a plastic-wrapped basket. It’s something you create, together. So, if you are looking for a fun way to spend Valentine’s day together, try this art project at home! Grab your favorite little artists and get ready to create some magical monoprints! Today, we’re diving into a playful monoprinting process that’s EASY—perfect for busy moms who want to spark their kids’ artistic imaginations without too much fuss.

Everyday supplies for printmaking/Monoprinting

I find that printmaking can be a very intimidating artistic process for many, with its specialized supplies and potential for mess. In this project, children simply paint the back of the pan using a splash of pinks, reds, and purples—colors that shout “Valentine’s Day!”–then draw with q-tips and pull a beautiful print. Instead of worrying about perfection, the focus is on enjoying the messy, joyful process of creating art. (Though honestly, this did not turn out to be messy for us!) Here is a full list of what you’ll need. Please note some of the links below are Walmart Creator Affiliate links, and qualifying purchases may earn me income, which is much appreciated! I love being able to provide free educational content like this for you.

• Tempera Paints (These are by far the least expensive, best tempera paints I have found for everyday home use)
• Printing surface such as the back of a brownie pan or cooking sheet, piece of acrylic, plastic frame, etc. I like the Dollar Tree for these items!
• Q-tips
• Mixed Media paper

The Process: Monoprinting

1. Paint the Pan: Lay out your protective covering (newspaper or an old tablecloth works great) and let the kids choose their favorite Valentine hues. They can paint the back of the brownie pan however they like, even just swaths of color works!
2. Add Some Detail with Q-Tips: Once the pan is covered in color, hand over some q-tips and watch some magic unfold! They can draw in the freshly applied paint, making swirls, hearts, flowers, or even little doodles. (My daughter who is currently 5 chose hearts on one print and roses for her others.) There’s no right or wrong way here—just a fun exploration of color and movement.
3. Pull a Print: Now for the exciting part: placing paper over the painted surface. Press gently, peel off, and voilà—a monoprint is created! Each print is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. It can slip a bit if there is too much paint, so caution that!
4. Repeat the Fun: If your kids are up for it, let them repeat the process. Every print is a new adventure, and soon you’ll have a stack of vibrant, heart-filled art ready to be displayed. If you’re working in a palette with similar colors such ass valentine’s day colors you really don’t even need to wipe the leftover paint off inbetween prints. Just paint right over it.

Why We Love This Project

• Simple Setup: With just a few materials, you’re ready to roll! No complicated steps or expensive supplies required.
• Not too much mess: Kids love the tactile experience of painting and printing, and moms love watching their little ones create without stress.
• Perfect for Valentine’s Day: Using a palette of pinks, reds, and purples adds a festive twist that’s perfect for the season, making it an ideal activity to celebrate love and creativity at home.
• Encourages Artistic Expression: This project isn’t about perfection—it’s about the joy of the process. Your kids will feel proud of every imperfect, colorful print they create. It is SO exciting to pull that paper back and reveal the print!

Tips for a Smooth and Enjoyable Experience

• Preparation is Key: Lay out all your supplies in advance. A covered work surface and some old clothes can help keep the mess contained. I usually keep some baby wipes on hand, too but in this case, my daughter did not really make much mess.
• Be Chill: Encourage your kids to experiment with the colors. Ask them to share stories about what they’re making, and even consider displaying their prints as part of your home décor for an extra dose of love. Don’t panic about the mess, it can be cleaned!
• Embrace Imperfection: Every print will be different. Celebrate the unique outcomes as special, one-of-a-kind pieces of art.

This monoprinting project is a wonderful way to mix art education with a bit of Valentine’s Day magic. It’s simple, joyful, and perfect for moms looking for a creative, stress-free activity to do with their kids at home. So, gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and let the art-filled adventure begin! Happy printing, and may your Valentine’s Day be as vibrant and creative as your little ones masterpieces!

Looking for more simple ideas to create with your kiddos today?

If you need more ideas now, try the following easy at projects at home, and then get yourself a free copy of “Ultimate Guide to Age-Appropriate Art Supplies for Kids.”

• DIY Paint Palette Valentines
• Simple ways to celebrate Valentine’s day with kids
• DIY Suminagashi Paper Marbling
• DIY Wall Easel/Paper roll holder
• Magic Watercolor Drawings and Secret Messages
• How to Draw Pumpkins
• The Best Science and Art Projects to do with Snow
• Watercolor Resist Snowflakes
• The Easiest Paper Snowflakes

Ready to try this with your kids? Click on the links above to grab everything you need, or pin this for later and don’t forget to share your creations in the comments below or on social media!