3D Paper Hearts: A Fun and Easy Valentine's Tutorial
3D Paper Hearts: A Fun and Easy Valentine's Tutorial
The heart wants what the heart wants. And this Valentine's Day, how about a fun craft project that is perfect for older children (yet is good for children of all ages), helps strengthen fine motor skills.
You can use recycled painted papers or you can head to your local craft store and buy some pretty papers and cardstock. Honestly, the possibilities are endless - so be creative!
Materials You’ll Need
Before we dive into the different heart art projects, here’s a list of common materials you might need. You don’t need to have everything on hand at once, but it’s good to know your options:
Painted scrap papers A blank surface for your artwork. Be sure to use a thicker paper, but not as thick as poster board because it will clog the hole puncher.
Watercolors or acrylic paint: For painting heart shapes or creating vibrant backgrounds. You will only need paints if you choose to paint your own papers first.
Markers/Pens/Pencils: For adding details or outlines.
Stamps or Stencils: For easier designs and uniform shapes (optional).
Paintbrushes or Sponges: For applying paint to the paper
Thread or Yarn: For embroidery or string art.
Rhinestones (optional)
Paint pens (optional): These are good for adding more patterns and textures to your art.
Piece of firm paper like watercolor paper in the size of the shadow box frame.
Ruler
Pencil
How to Make 3D Paper Heart Art
Now that you've for your supplies, let's start making some beautiful papers. One way to do this is to start saving scrap papers from old art projects. The more colorful, the better. Here are some ideas for creating papers:
1. Prepare for the project
Gather all of the papers that you plan to use
Cut up the double sided foam if
Have your heart punch ready for action!
2. Begin punching the hearts
Find the most beautiful pattern or section of paper and insert the paper into the hole punch and press down. You might need to trim the paper to get to the middle.
Punch as many hearts as you will need for the size of your frame. The bigger the frame, the more hearts you will need. You can always make more hearts and make a Valentine's Day card or other fun heart art projects.
You can use the rest of the hearts and put them on popsicle sticks or use them to decorate gifts. Do not throw these away, there is always a purpose for them.
3. Add adhesives
If your foam adhesive comes in a roll, you will want to cut them into small squares. The reason we do this is so that your DIY hearts can look 3D inside of the shadow box.
Take the foam adhesive and peel off the back. Do not peel the other side just yet.
Take out your piece of white paper (watercolor) and measure to see where you want the hearts to go. With younger kids, we do not measure and I tell them to put the hearts wherever they choose. It is fun to see all of the different ways the kids arrange their diy wall art.
With older kids, this project is a fun way to teach math and grids and measuring.
Using a pencil, make a small mark where you want each heart to go. Once you are happy with the design, peel off the back of the heart. You will want to work on these one at a time.
3. Create art with your hearts
Lay out the hearts in the order you want them to go. It is very important to do this before attaching to the paper because you want the colors of the hearts to look balanced.
Sometimes stepping away from the project can help to see things with new eyes. For example you wouldn't want to put a pink heart next to another pink heart if you want the colors to look balanced. Spread the love. See what I did just there?
Place each individual heart shape onto the spot where you've made a marking
Once you are happy with the design, peel off the back of the heart. You will want to work on these one at a time.
Keep going until each spot has a heart on it.
Sign your name at the very bottom of the project.
3. Put the artwork inside the shadow box
Put your finished project into the shadow box. Place it on the wall, a shelf or add gift wrap and give it to someone you love. These make great gifts and can be made by kids of all ages.
Tips and tricks
Make sure your hands are clean before starting! This might sound intuitive, but I have seen cheeto hands destroy art projects
There are so many ways to embellish these hearts. You can add colorful tissue paper, rhinestones, paint pens or even make this into a sewing craft and add stitches. The possibilities are endless.
Use a heart stencil if you do not have a heart punch. Or, simply draw your own heart - sometimes a lack of symmetry is a great way to bring out one's creative energy.
If you do not have double sided adhesive, you can use a hot glue gun, rubber cement or craft glue. You can also cut up foam core and glue it onto the backs of the hearts to make them more 3D
Keep the extra hearts. These are great for valentine's day decor as well as valentine cards or really any other heart activity.
Final Thoughts
I've been making this project with my classes for years and years. Why? Because it is a low frustration art activity which is good for both little artists and adults. This is something you can do as a family or on your own.
If you do not have the right supplies, you can just use paper and use crayons or acrylic paint to make these. If you don't have paper, try using paper towel tubes and cut hearts out of that.
These beautiful keepsakes are so much fun to make and really they only take a few simple steps with stuff you probably already have laying around the craft room.
Hey, if you have more fun art projects, please let me know so that I can try them. You know I love making pretty much any type of art these days!
Want to make more Valentine’s Day projects? Check out this heart wall art or these DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas!
