Turn an old puzzle into this adorable Love You To Pieces Craft with free printable. This is the perfect activity to make with the kids and so much fun.
You are going to have so much fun with this new craft DIY. Every February, I try to make something fun but special while also being inexpensive for Valentine’s Day. We also love these 15 Easy kids Valentine Cards They Can Make At Home.
This is the simplest idea but so cute and can be used year after year for the cutest Valentine’s Day decor! You can make these for Grandma, Aunty, family members, mother figures, stepmoms or any special person in your life. It’s an adorable Valentine’s keepsake to show appreciation.
We actually made one for a gift and one to keep. I loved it so much that I wanted one. I don’t decorate a lot for Valentine’s Day, but this is perfect and even more special because it was handmade.
Table of contents
Why We Love This
You can use an old puzzle or grab one from the dollar store. The frame can also be from the dollar store, and we have the free printable for your convenience. This artwork is very budget friendly and turns out so cute.
The kids can help sort the puzzle pieces and it is a really fun kids craft, and the entire family will enjoy it too. Plus, this I love to pieces’ children activity is the perfect fine motor craft because of the small pieces while also being fun to make.
This Valentines Day idea is super easy but so cute and the perfect decor to use in your home or office. It’s also the perfect gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day and even preschoolers can make it.
Supplies
- Love you to Pieces free template (Get free printable template.)
- Paper Trimmer or Scissors
- 8×10 frame
- Dollar Store Puzzle (I used a 300 piece puzzle.)
- Scrap piece of card board or use a brown grocery bag
- Painter’s Tape
- White spray paint
- Red spray paint
- Hot Glue and Hot Glue Gun
- Old Toothbrush (optional)
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1. Get out the puzzle pieces.
Step 2. First, you need to start by spray painting the puzzle. I find the easiest way to spray paint puzzle pieces is to affix them to a piece of cardboard. If you do not, they tend to fly across the surface you spray them on, so this just makes it easier. Affix the tape, sticky side up onto the piece of cardboard into strips. Press puzzle pieces onto the tape to stick.
Step 3. Next, spray with white spray paint, as a primer. If you skip this step, you will most likely see the puzzle colors through the red paint. Let dry completely.
Step 4. Now it is time to spray the puzzle pieces with red spray paint. Let dry completely.
Step 5. Print the printable and use a paper trimmer to cut along the edges. Place into an 8×10 frame, in front of the glass. You can use an old one or one from the dollar store.
Step 6. Gently pull puzzle pieces off of the tape.
Step 7. Affix with hot glue to the large heart on the frame.
Step 8. I like to start with the outer edge of pieces first.
Step 9. Continue to add puzzle pieces until the heart is completely covered. Once you have your first layer, use a toothbrush to remove the hot glue strings. Then apply a second and third layer and use the third toothbrush to remove the hot glue strings.
Step 10. I used about 60 puzzle pieces for this love you to pieces craft.
Pro Tips
- I love you to pieces template – freebie. Make sure you use the pdf format – edit for printing so that is the correct size. When you are printing, uncheck the “fit to page” or “reduce to print” box when you print. If you skip this step, it could skew the size, and it won’t fit into the frame. Always double check after printing to make sure it measures 8×10 and fits into the frame.
- Paper. You can use regular copy paper, but I recommend printing on cardstock. This will give you more support when putting the puzzle pieces on the I love you to pieces pdf.
- Spray the puzzle pieces. It does take an extra step but it’s worth it to spray the pieces white first. If you don’t, you will some of the puzzle pieces thru the red.
Do I Have to Use Puzzle Pieces?
The puzzle is super fun and looks adorable but there are other options. Maybe you don’t have time to paint the puzzle or just need something else to do in this creative zone.
I actually needed a craft for when I volunteered to teach at children’s church and needed a fun way that could be done in a shorter time period. You can use contact paper, tissue paper or pieces of construction paper to make this fun Valentine’s day craft.
Print the I love you to pieces template just like above. Cut the red paper that you choose to use into small pieces. You can also use different coloured paper. This colorful impact will let the kids creativity shine and practice find motor skills for prek – k and k – 3rd and more for excellent skill.
Kids can put the small pieces of paper on the heart template just like you would the puzzle pieces. For the paper, a glue stick will work just fine for this heart template activity.
Let the kids help with the holiday prep and cut the pieces too. It really is a low-prep activity. You can adapt the love you to pieces craft for kids in any grade.
If You Love This, Try More Valentines Day Ideas
- Valentine’s Day Homemade Slime
- 25 Fun Printable Valentine’s Day Cards for Kids
- Valentine’s Day Craft – Heart Suncatcher
- How to make a Valentine’s Day Centerpiece
- How to make a Candy Wreath for Cheap
- Easy Candy Bouquet DIY
Try this creative craft activity today! We love hearing about projects you make so please share a picture with us once you make this and leave a comment.
I Love You to Pieces Craft
Equipment
- Love you to Pieces Printable
- Paper Trimmer or Scissors
- 8×10 frame
- Dollar Store Puzzle (I used a 300 piece puzzle.)
- Scrap piece of card board or use a brown grocery bag
- painters tape
- White spray paint
- Red spray paint
- hot glue and hot glue gun
- Old Toothbrush (optional)
- Free I love you to pieces template
Instructions
- First, you need to start by spray painting the puzzle.
- I find the easiest way to spray paint puzzle pieces is to affix them to a piece of cardboard. If you do not, they tend to fly across the surface you spray them on so this just makes it easier.
- Affix the tape, sticky side up onto the piece of cardboard into strips. Press puzzle pieces onto the tape to stick.
- Next, spray with white spray paint, as a primer. If you skip this step, you will most likely see the puzzle colors through the red paint.
- Let dry completely.
- Now it is time to spray the puzzle pieces with red spray paint. Let dry completely.
- Print the printable and use a paper trimmer to cut along the edges. Place into an 8×10 frame, in front of the glass. You can use an old one or one from the dollar store.
- Gently pull puzzle pieces off of the tape and affix with hot glue to the heart on the frame.
- Once you have your first layer, use an old toothbrush to remove the hot glue strings and apply a second and third layer, using the third toothbrush to remove the hot glue strings.
- I used about 60 puzzle pieces for this project.
- Display or gift the frame as desired. So fun!
