29 Valentine's Keepsake Crafts for New Moms
Did you know that most parents say they wish they had created more keepsakes during their baby's first year? From my experience as a mom of 5, I can tell you—those tiny fingers and toes don't stay tiny for long, and you'll want to capture every precious moment.
As a new mom, you're probably drowning in diapers and surviving on coffee (trust me, I've been there five times!). But Valentine's Day offers the perfect excuse to pause and create something truly special. These Valentine's keepsake crafts for new moms aren't just adorable decorations—they're tangible memories you'll treasure for decades.
Whether you're looking to capture those impossibly small handprints or create a heartfelt gift for grandparents, I've gathered the most creative and doable projects. You won't need a Pinterest-perfect craft room or hours of free time (because let's be honest, what new mom has that?). From salt dough ornaments to handprint art that'll make you cry happy tears, these crafts celebrate the extraordinary love between you and your little one.
And if you're looking for more creative activities to do with your growing family, check out our collection of crafts for kids that siblings can enjoy together.
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Valentine's Keepsake Crafts for New Moms
Handprint and Footprint Valentine's Keepsake Ideas
This is where the magic happens. Handprint and footprint crafts are my absolute favorite because they're simple but incredibly meaningful.
Heart-Shaped Handprint Art
This one's a classic for a reason. You paint your baby's hand with red or pink paint and press it onto white canvas. Then you add another handprint to form a heart shape—it's stunning and surprisingly easy.
I messed this up the first time because I used too much paint. The key is a thin, even layer applied with a foam brush. Work fast because babies don't stay still, and have that canvas positioned exactly where you need it before touching paint to skin.
Footprint Butterfly Cards
These are adorable for sending to grandparents. Baby's feet form the butterfly wings when you press them onto cardstock. After the footprints dry, add antennae with a marker and write a sweet message.
The trick here? Do this right after a diaper change when baby's feet are already clean and they're lying on the changing table. It's opportunistic crafting at its finest.
Parent and Baby Handprint Heart
This one always gets me when I look at it. You overlap your handprint with your baby's tiny print to show the size comparison. It's a beautiful representation of how you're holding and protecting this little person.
I recommend using contrasting colors—like your hand in a dark red and baby's in a light pink. The visual contrast makes both prints stand out clearly.
Footprint Roses
For this project, baby's foot becomes a rose bloom. You press their foot in red or pink paint, and once it dries, you add a green stem and leaves with a marker or paint. It sounds unusual but it actually looks like a legitimate flower.
My tip? Do multiple prints on the same canvas to create a whole bouquet. It fills the space better and gives you backup options if one print doesn't turn out great.
Quick tips for successful prints:
Always work when baby is calm and fed
Have everything prepped before involving baby
Press firmly but gently for 3-5 seconds
Clean baby's skin immediately with warm wipes
Make extras—seriously, make at least three attempts
Salt Dough and Clay Valentine's Keepsake Ornaments
Salt dough is incredibly practical for new moms because it costs almost nothing and lasts forever when sealed properly. I've been making salt dough ornaments since my first was born, and they still look perfect years later.
Classic Salt Dough Recipe
Here's the exact recipe I use every time:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
1 cup cold water
Mix the flour and salt together first. Then slowly add water until you get a dough consistency similar to playdough. If it's too sticky, add more flour a tablespoon at a time.
Knead it for about 5 minutes until smooth. Then roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut out heart shapes with cookie cutters.
Heart-Shaped Ornaments with Handprints
Once you've cut your heart shapes, gently press baby's hand or foot into the dough. Don't push too hard or it'll go all the way through—you want a clear impression about 1/8 inch deep.
Use a straw to poke a hole at the top for hanging ribbon later. This is important and I forgot it on my first batch, which meant I had to super glue ribbon to the back like an amateur.
Bake these at 200°F for 2-3 hours until completely hardened. They should sound hollow when you tap them. Let them cool completely before painting.
Painting and Sealing Techniques
I paint mine with acrylic craft paint after they're fully cooled. You can leave the handprint area natural and paint around it, or paint the whole thing and use a contrasting color for the print details.
The sealing part is crucial—this is what makes them last. Apply 2-3 coats of Mod Podge or clear acrylic sealer, letting each coat dry completely. I learned this after my first ornaments got gross and started deteriorating because I skipped this step.
Air-Dry Clay Keepsake Bowls
For something a bit different, you can make small clay bowls with baby's fingerprints pressed into the rim. These are perfect for holding jewelry or trinkets on a dresser.
Use air-dry clay and mold it around a small bowl as a form. Press baby's tiny fingerprints around the edge before it dries. Once hardened, paint and seal it the same way as salt dough.
Clay and dough project tips:
Work on parchment paper for easy cleanup
Make extras because some will crack or break
Label the back with baby's age and date using a toothpick before baking
Store in airtight containers away from humidity
These make excellent gifts for grandparents
Photo-Based Valentine's Memory Crafts
Sometimes you're just too tired for paint and clay, and that's completely understandable. Photo crafts are lifesavers because you can do most of the work while baby sleeps.
Month-by-Month Photo Collage
I wish I'd started this from day one instead of month three. Take a photo of your baby each month with the same Valentine's prop—a stuffed heart, a red blanket, whatever works for you. Then create a collage showing their growth from birth to their first Valentine's Day.
You can do this digitally through services like Shutterfly or print photos and arrange them in a large frame yourself. The visual progression is incredible and makes you emotional in the best way.
Heart-Shaped Photo Mobile
This project is actually easier than it looks. Print photos in different sizes and cut them into heart shapes or place them in heart-shaped frames. Hang them from an embroidery hoop with fishing line at varying lengths.
The mobile can hang in the nursery and gently spin, showing different angles of your baby's precious face. Just make sure it's hung securely and out of baby's reach.
Love Timeline Scrapbook Page
For this, you create a horizontal timeline showing special moments and milestones from birth to Valentine's Day. Include photos alongside written details about when they first smiled, rolled over, or grabbed your finger.
I'm not going to lie, my handwriting is terrible so I printed labels instead. No judgment here—do what works for you.
Photo Transfer Canvas Art
This one's fancy but totally doable. You can transfer printed photos onto canvas using Mod Podge and create gallery-worthy art. There are plenty of tutorials online, but basically you coat the canvas with Mod Podge, place the photo face-down, let it dry, then gently rub away the paper backing.
It gives this really cool vintage look that's perfect for nursery decor. I messed up my first attempt by rubbing too hard and tearing the image, so be patient with the paper removal part.
Photo craft advantages:
Can work on them during naptime
Less messy than paint projects
Easy to create multiple copies for family
Digital options require zero crafting supplies
Perfect for moms who aren't naturally "crafty"
Poem and Letter Keepsake Valentine's Crafts
This section is where you might need tissues because writing to your baby hits different than making handprints.
Handwritten Love Letter to Baby
I wrote a letter to each of my kids during their first Valentine's Day, sealed it, and labeled it "Open on your 18th birthday." In it, I wrote about what they were like as babies, how I felt becoming their mom, my hopes for them, and how much I loved them even during the sleepless nights.
It took me three tries because I kept crying and smudging the ink. But it's done, it's sealed, and someday they'll read it and (hopefully) understand how much they were loved from day one.
Use nice stationery if you have it, but honestly, even notebook paper is fine. It's the words that matter.
Footprint Poem Prints
There are many beautiful poems about tiny feet and baby hands. You can print these poems and pair them with actual footprints on the same page or canvas.
One of my favorites is "Walk a Little Slower, Daddy" or the classic "These tiny feet won't be tiny for long." Search online for baby footprint poems and you'll find dozens.
The combination of the words and the actual print makes it incredibly special. Frame it and hang it in the nursery or give it to grandparents.
Time Capsule Valentine's Box
Fill a decorated box with letters, predictions about your baby's future, current newspaper clippings, photos, and small mementos from their first months. Include things like:
Letter from you and your partner
Predictions about what they'll be like at age 5, 10, 18
Current photos
Their hospital bracelet
A onesie they wore as a newborn
Your favorite photo of them
Seal it and date it for opening on a future Valentine's Day—maybe their 10th or 18th birthday.
"Reasons I Love You" Jar
This project is ongoing rather than one-and-done. Decorate a jar and throughout your baby's first year, write little notes about things you love about them or funny things they did.
"I love the way you grab my finger when you're falling asleep." "Today you smiled at me and my whole world lit up." "You discovered your toes and it was the cutest thing I've ever seen."
By their first birthday, you'll have a jar full of memories to read together.
Voice Recording Keepsakes
Technology makes this very easy now. Record yourself reading a Valentine's message to your baby, or capture their baby coos and giggles. Some parents create QR codes linked to these recordings and attach them to photo albums or memory boxes.
There are apps that let you record yourself reading children's books so your baby can hear your voice anytime. These digital keepsakes are wonderful because you're preserving not just images but sounds.
Letter and poem craft ideas:
Date everything so you remember when you created it
Don't worry about perfect handwriting—authentic is better
Include specific details about your baby's personality
Write honestly about the hard moments too
Store letters in archival-quality materials
Make copies of important letters just in case
Practical Valentine's Keepsake Gifts for Family
Let's talk about grandparent gifts because honestly, they really appreciate these. Handmade gifts from the baby are often more meaningful than anything you could buy at a store.
Customized Grandparent Handprint Frames
Make a handprint in a frame with text that says "I Love Grandma" or "Grandpa's Little Valentine." You can buy frames with these sayings pre-printed, or use vinyl lettering to add text yourself.
I make these every year and grandparents genuinely treasure them. It's become a whole thing in our family.
Photo Calendar Featuring Baby
Most photo printing services let you create custom calendars with your photos. Put a different baby picture for each month and mark important family birthdays and dates throughout.
It's practical, personal, and they'll look at it literally every single day for an entire year. My mom still has calendars I made years ago stored in her closet because she can't bear to throw them away.
Handprint Aprons or Kitchen Textiles
If grandparents love to cook, get a plain apron or tea towel and add baby's handprints using fabric paint. These hold up really well through washing if you heat-set the paint properly (iron it after it dries according to the paint instructions).
My mother-in-law uses the apron we made and every time I see it I get a little emotional thinking about how tiny those hands were.
Canvas Tote Bags Decorated with Baby's Artwork
Similar to aprons, but tote bags are useful for everyone. Use fabric paint or markers to let baby "paint" on a canvas tote (basically you hold their hand and make marks). Add their name and age, and suddenly it's art.
Grandparents can use these for groceries, library trips, whatever. They'll show it off to everyone.
Coffee Mugs with Footprint Hearts
You can buy special ceramic markers or take plain mugs to a pottery painting place and create footprint hearts. Make sure they're dishwasher-safe if you use DIY methods—some aren't and that's disappointing to discover later.
Every morning coffee becomes a reminder of baby's love. It's sweet and it works.
Gift-giving tips:
Make multiples so all grandparents feel included
Package handmade gifts nicely—presentation matters
Include a card explaining what it is and when it was made
Take photos of baby making the gift to include
Don't forget great-grandparents if they're in the picture
Mail gifts early if family lives far away
Budget-Friendly Valentine's Keepsake Craft Ideas
Babies are expensive, and crafting can add up quickly. Here are ways to make meaningful keepsakes without spending a fortune.
Free Printable Templates
The internet is full of free printable templates for cards, frames, and craft backgrounds. Pinterest and Canva have thousands of options. Print them at home or use free prints from places like CVS that often offer promotional deals.
I've probably made a hundred crafts using free printables, and they look just as good as expensive store-bought versions.
Household Item Crafts
Use materials you already have at home. Empty baby food jars become memory jars. Cardboard boxes transform into time capsules. Old picture frames get new life with handprint decorations.
I made a beautiful keepsake box from a shoebox covered in scrapbook paper from the dollar store. Total cost: $2.
DIY Paint Alternatives
Mix food coloring with plain yogurt or pudding for edible baby-safe paint. It washes off easily and you don't panic if baby puts painted fingers in their mouth. The colors aren't as vibrant as real paint, but it works fine for handprints.
You can also make paint by mixing flour, water, and food coloring, though it's messier.
Repurposed Container Projects
Mason jars, glass bottles, tin cans—all of these can become memory keepers with a little decoration. Cover them with wrapping paper, add ribbon, decorate with stickers, and fill them with photos, letters, or small keepsakes.
Nature-Based Crafts
Incorporate leaves, twigs, flowers, and natural elements into your crafts for free materials. Press flowers in a book and add them to handprint cards. Use twigs to create frames around photos.
Nature crafts have this organic, beautiful quality that you can't buy.
Homemade Clay Recipes
Salt dough costs pennies compared to store-bought clay. You probably have flour, salt, and water at home right now. The recipe I shared earlier makes enough dough for 10-15 ornaments for about $1.
Digital Keepsakes
Create photo books, collages, and albums digitally that require no physical materials. Many services offer free options or very affordable prints. Shutterfly, Chatbooks, and Google Photos all have good options.
I make a digital photo book every year through Shutterfly when they run their free book promotions. I just pay shipping.
Budget-saving strategies:
Wait for sales at craft stores (seriously, never pay full price)
Use coupons—Michael's, Hobby Lobby, JoAnn's always have them
Buy supplies at dollar stores when possible
Share craft supplies with other mom friends
Focus on one or two special projects rather than many mediocre ones
Remember that homemade doesn't mean cheap-looking when done with care
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of paint is safest for newborn handprint and footprint crafts?
Use non-toxic washable tempera paint or baby-safe ink pads. Crayola washable paint works great. For edible options, mix food coloring with yogurt. Always supervise and wipe baby's skin immediately after printing.
How do I get a clear handprint or footprint from my baby without a mess?
Prepare everything first. Apply thin paint with a foam brush, press firmly for 3-5 seconds. Work when baby is calm after feeding. Paint baby's hand while lying down, then bring paper to them.
Can I make Valentine's keepsake crafts if my baby was born after Valentine's Day?
Absolutely. Create "First Valentine's Day" keepsakes during baby's first February regardless of birth month. Make Valentine's crafts anytime and save them. Memories matter more than exact timing.
How should I preserve salt dough ornaments so they last for years?
Bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours, cool overnight. Apply 2-3 coats of clear sealer, letting each dry completely. Store in a cool, dry place with silica gel packets.
Are there Valentine's keepsake crafts I can make while my baby is sleeping?
Yes. Create photo collages, scrapbook pages, or design digital photo books during naptime. Prepare craft supplies for later. Save handprint projects for when baby is awake.
How can I involve my partner or older children in Valentine's keepsake crafts?
Partners can hold baby steady during printing. Older siblings can add their own handprints, decorate frames, or choose colors. Family handprint art creates especially meaningful keepsakes.
Final Thoughts
Valentine's keepsake crafts with your baby capture irreplaceable moments—those tiny handprints become priceless treasures. Yes, there'll be mess and maybe tears, but you'll never regret preserving those impossibly small fingers.
Whether it's a simple footprint card or elaborate memory box, you're creating a meaningful gift. Years later, these keepsakes will flood you with memories of holding that tiny hand. Grab non-toxic paint, embrace the chaos, and make something beautiful.
Pick one project this week. Even if it's imperfect or wonky, you're creating memories—and that's what truly matters.