Think outside the candy box
It is great when people can show their love and appreciation for each other through the celebration on Valentine's Day. In case you forgot, it's on Feb.14, so you better start looking for that special Valentine's Day card. But the special day isn’t just limited to adults, as it is also the perfect time for parents and family members to show the youngsters in their family some extra love and appreciation.
But with Halloween and Christmas still fresh in the memory of most, candy might not seem like the best gift idea. So why not think outside the box and give something educational, scientific or personal? A memorable gift and a love-filled Valentine's Day will be cherished for much longer than a card and a bag stuffed with candy.
Best toy-building and craft kits for kids
This glue-on mosaic kit provides teenagers or kids with a creative activity when the weather is good enough to go outside. The kit includes everything they need to decorate their own photo frame using colorful mosaic pieces made from mother-of-pearl shells. It comprises a wooden frame that can fit either a 4-inch by x 6-inch or 5-inch by 7-inch photograph, an assortment of mosaic mother-of-pearl shells in various colors, nontoxic glue and a spreader stick.
If you have an older kid who’s into LEGO and interior design, this is an excellent gift. The kit lets them create a heart-shaped ornament decorated with artificial flowers that they can modify using the included bricks. When complete, it measures 7 inches high and 7.5 inches wide and comes with two images to trigger inspiration.
Best toys for kids
This adorable elephant teether is made from all-natural-grade silicone, which is similar to the material used for pacifiers. It has a small hole in the middle for little hands and the elephant’s trunk is just the right size to stimulate even a toddler's teeth and molars.
Perfect for fidgety fingers, this genuine Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty can be stretched, bounced and twisted without ever drying out. The cherry-scented putty comes in a reusable container with a twist-off lid and is sure to provide hours of hilarious fun.
JellyBoards give kids a unique and innovative art experience that allows them to create art without any mess. They are sensory drawing pads that consist of two layers of nontoxic gel, vacuum-sealed to keep the drawings intact. You can blend the colors with your fingers or the stylus that comes with it and the gel's squishy texture provides a finger-painting-like experience.
The biggest problem with a trusty flying disc is that they are incredibly difficult to see at night. This gadget, however, changes all of that. It has 36 LED lights built in and provides up to a thousand throws on a 30-minute charge. It features adjustable brightness levels, a timer mode and motion sensors that automatically turn the LEDs on and off to conserve battery life.
Best kids books
This heartwarming and humorous board book takes a playful twist on the phrase “I’ll love you till the cows come home,” extending it with whimsical scenarios involving various animals like yaks in Cadillacs and sheep sailing, all accompanied by colorful illustrations. It celebrates the immense depth of family love and is particularly suitable for young readers.
Valentine's Day is usually filled with chocolates, but there should never be a shortage of laughs to go with it. This joke book for kids includes hilarious knock-knock jokes and other illustrations that will have everyone rolling on the floor.
Not everybody is fortunate enough to celebrate Valentine's Day. This book, used by parents, educators and therapists, can help anybody cope with separation anxiety, loss and grief. It addresses themes such as love, connection and emotional resilience and is told through the touching narrative of “the invisible string.”
Best kids fashion
This T-shirt is the perfect way to signal that you are lovable with a geeky side. The bright red design makes a cheeky play on the hugely popular Pac-Man, but in this iteration, he isn’t chasing the ghosts, but rather hearts. The shirt is made from 100% cotton and comes in different fabric colors.
This adorable sweatshirt is the best of both worlds, especially since Valentine's Day can be a bit chilly. The long sleeves will keep the arms warm, while the candy heart design on the front is enough to project a warm smile.
Love dinosaurs and want to show it on Valentine's Day? Then, this sweatshirt is the perfect accessory in February. The design features a long-necked dinosaur with a heart inside its body and is made from cotton and polyester.
This sherpa blanket hoodie is specially designed to keep children warm and comfortable. It boasts a reversible design with smooth microfleece on one side and a sherpa lining on the other, ensuring that the child stays warm from head to toe. The hoodie is equipped with a large kangaroo front pocket, which is perfect for holding snacks, a mobile phone, a remote controller, or simply for keeping hands warm.
Whoever is wearing these socks is sending a clear message not to be disturbed while playing video games. Whether they are in the middle of a heated sports game, racing around tight corners or going for a high score, these socks will definitely keep their feet warm.
Best kids jewelry
These sterling silver post-stud earrings are designed in the shape of hearts and you can customize them with the initials of whoever will be wearing them. They come with a see-through backing on the post, which is designed for easy use by small fingers.
If your loved one is enamored with unicorns, this gorgeous necklace is the perfect gift on Valentine's Day. It is made from gold-plated brass and inlaid with cubic zirconias along one edge of the heart and a few inside the unicorn’s mane. It comes with an 18-inch necklace and a 2-inch extension.
Best gift boxes
There are a few ways to snuggle and stay warm, and this Valentine's Day, these original Squishmallows will definitely do the trick. This mystery box contains three 8-inch plushies, chosen at random. They are made from soft, high-quality materials and make for the perfect companion.
If you want to make Valentine's Day memorable, there is no better option than this incredible display of cake and fake butterflies. Coming in a small box with a lid, butterflies race out when opened, leaving a delicious 3-inch chocolate bunt cake behind. The butterflies are already primed to burst out of the box, so there is nothing you need to do.
This eight-piece bundle makes for an excellent gift, especially if given to someone who is interested in empowerment and growing their inner strength. Each individually wrapped gift comes with a task that must be completed before opening. The contents include items such as fluffy socks, heart-shaped friendship bracelets, an eye mask, paper clips and colorful stickers.
Best candy and chocolate gifts
If you want to give someone a truly unique gift for Valentine's Day, freeze-dried Skittles is the way to go. With their crunchy texture, the freeze-drying technique lets them burst with flavor when snacked on. The delicious treats come in a 10-ounce resealable bag.
The "Explosive Yummyness" candy-making kit is a fun and educational way to engage kids in STEM concepts. With crystal rock candy, jelly candies, chocolates and fizzy lollipops, kids create delicious treats while learning valuable skills. The kit includes an easy-to-use lab guide for over 29 experiments with colorful pictures and straightforward instructions.
There is probably not a single person in the world who doesn’t enjoy the chocolate goodness of Oreos. Combined with Valentine's Day, few sweet treats will put you in someone’s good books as much as this gift box. It holds 8 ounces of Oreo cookies covered in milk chocolate with sweet red and pink hearts on top.
Best self-care gifts
These colorful bath bombs are effervescent, won’t stain your tub and are designed to last long. They come with a squishy dragon toy surprise, and have fruity scents like fruit punch, citrus, banana, fruit loops, berry and grape. Made in the U.S., these bath bombs are safe for the skin and are made from skin-safe ingredients.
Everybody needs a bit of self-care every now and again, and this facial gua sha is the perfect tool. Made from rose quartz stone, it is used to massage and sculpt your face and neck. It is ergonomically cut so that you always have a firm grip, and it measures about 3 inches.
More of the best Valentine’s day gifts for kids
Make every day, not just Valentine's Day, a day to remember with this instant print camera for kids. It has a two-megapixel camera sensor and automatically prints off a black-and-white photo within a second. It has 15 filters and digital stickers available and you can save color photos to an SD card.
This "Hidden Pictures" puzzle book is an excellent gift for young puzzle enthusiasts. It comes with a neon pink highlighter and contains over 300 Valentine's-themed hidden objects within the puzzles. It is a great way to spend some quality time sharpening puzzle-solving skills while coloring. Each page has a list and images of what needs to be found.
Who doesn't love Pusheen? Children ages 8 and older will love snuggling with this Pusheen and her teddy bear named Kai. It's 9.5 inches tall and made out of material that can be spot-cleaned. This gift is sure to put a smile on your kid's face this Valentine's Day.
Savor the sweetness with Bell's Reines cookies. This Black-owned business (mother and daughter team) only uses natural, high-end ingredients from around the world. With gluten-free and vegan options, there's a premium, soft cookie for everyone.
Melissa & Doug toys are well-known for their excellent quality and creativity, and this scratch art box is no different. The 125 mini notes include a wooden stylus to scratch the surface and reveal vibrant colors. There are no pre-drawn objects or illustrations, so kids must use their imagination to bring them to life.
Compatible with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, this sturdy case features colorful oil paint brush strokes to form rows of hearts. The case is made from durable plastic with an impact-absorbing inner layer and there is a raised edge around the camera lens. It is compatible with wireless chargers and can withstand a drop of about 10 feet.
For anybody who wants a peaceful night’s sleep, a weighted blanket is the perfect option. This blanket weighs 7 pounds and provides a comforting sense of safety for kids. For durability, the blanket features tightly stitched 5-inch by 5-inch compartments, each secured with high-density stitching to ensure the glass beads remain evenly distributed without leakage. It measures 41 inches by 60 inches and is suitable for kids between 60 and 90 pounds.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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Charlie Fripp writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.