5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids (2024)

Valentine’s Day is getting closer, and I’ve been searching for some fun, easy ideas for decorating heart-shaped cookies with my kids. Emphasis on easy. Because as much as my kids and I love a wow-inducing, Instagram-worthy Valentine’s Day cookie, we live in the real world. You know, the one where little hands and attention spans make ‘grammable cookie art a bit…difficult.

But we do love Valentine’s Day cookies and can’t help but want to join in on all the decorating fun. So check out these fivecreative yet simple ideas for kids to decorate heart cookies for Valentine’s Day.

And really, who cares if they don’t look professional: Go ahead, take pics, and post your cookie art proudly. You can even tag @coolmomeats if you do so we can reshare some favorites — I’d personally love to see each and every one.

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Related: 8 easy last-minute Valentine’s Day treats for lunch boxes. We’ve got you fellow procrastinators!

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine’s Day

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids (1)

1. Dip in chocolate and add sprinkles

Sara’s tutorial forHeart Cookies on her site, Dinner At The Zoo, are simple yet so eye-catching and lovely. Her method also happens to be one of my favorite ideas for decorating heart cookies. In fact, the dipping and sprinkling is fun for kids of all ages and I use it year round, not just on Valentine’s Day.

I like to work over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to help with catching chocolate drips and sprinkles, as well as giving you a place to let the cookies dry. Another good tip is to use a mug or bowl deep enough for dipping half of the heart. Things get pretty messy when you try putting the melted chocolate in a shallow bowl or plate. (Been there.)

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids (2)

Drizzle cookies photography © Chelsea Cavanaugh

2. Drizzle with an icing bottle

Since my kids can work a bottle of glitter glue like a pro, I imagine they could use an icing bottle to draw various squiggles, shapes and designs on their Valentine cookies. And no one does it better than – surprise, surprise! – Martha Stewart. Check out her inspired ways to decorate cookies for Valentine’s Day including drizzling heart cookies with an icing bottle, and then let the kids go icing wild. You can find icing bottles in different sizes(and in vastly different price ranges) on Amazon, as well as places like Michael’s and Bed, Bath & Beyond.

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids (3)
3. Color heart cookies with edible markers

Inspired by the Heart to Heart cookies at Ever Mine, I chose this heart cookie decorating idea with older kids in mind. I’ve never actually used edible food markers personally, but I my teen neighbor has a set that I’m rather envious of — and other members of our team swear by them.

Kids can use their artistic skills to draw pictures, designs, and funny messages to friends — or maybe even a sweet message to Dad or Mom or Grandma or their favorite aunt or teacher or sitter. Store-bought cookies work just as easily as homemade here, just sayin’.

Related: 9 extremely cool Valentine cookies for teens, no cutesy stuff.

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids (4)

4. Use a paintbrush…and a smart little trick

Make the loveliest little Valentine Heart Cookies with Sara’s brilliant idea and recipe on her site, The Dessert Chronicles. No icing needed – just a paintbrush (a clean one!), a little corn syrup, and some sprinkles to make this an afternoon of cookie decorating fun. By the way, check her tip for using tiny heart-shaped cookie cutters, which is just what my precise daughter needs to keep all those finicky little sprinkles in perfect formation.

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids (5)

5. Crush up some candy

Ignore the toothache for a minute and admire these fantasticCrushed Conversation Heart cookies at The Decorated Cookie. Meaghan’s step-by-step instructions are clear and easy to follow, and the cookies are totally adaptable depending on the skill level of your kids. While the original Necco “Sweethearts” conversation hearts are not available this year, you should be able to find comparableconversation candy hearts from Brach’s pretty easily.

You can also skip the sticks if you’re gong for this heart cookie decorating idea, and make your cookies hand-held. And feel free to use whatever frosting or icing you wish — or simply top with any crushed candy you want. You can even swap out the cookies for heart-shaped brownies. Whatever your heart desires — it’s Valentine’s Day, and that’s the rule!

Tags: baking, chocolate, cookies, cooking with kids, dessert, party ideas, tips and tricks, valentine's day

Tags: baking, chocolate, cookies, cooking with kids, dessert, party ideas, tips and tricks, valentine's day

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids (2024)

FAQs

5 easy ideas for decorating heart cookies for Valentine's Day with the kids? ›

For kids aged four and under, we recommend using a "spread and sprinkle technique." Kids five to 12 can do some design work, like our marbling technique. The older kids may want a bit more of a challenge. For kids 12 and over, make some piped cookie designs.

How to decorate cookies with little kids? ›

For kids aged four and under, we recommend using a "spread and sprinkle technique." Kids five to 12 can do some design work, like our marbling technique. The older kids may want a bit more of a challenge. For kids 12 and over, make some piped cookie designs.

Are cookies a good Valentine's Day gift? ›

Gourmet cookies are the yummiest tradition disrupter around. Your loved ones deserve the very best, the yummiest, and the most creative gifts to celebrate their sweetness! This Valentine's Day, share your love with gourmet, handcrafted, organic cookies. It may just become a new Valentine's Day tradition.

How to decorate cookies with candy? ›

Candy melts do the job of both, and it works the very same way as if you were using sugar icing. Start by outlining each cookie with a border, then allow it five to ten minutes to firm up before flooding the cookie center with more of the melted candy chips.

How to decorate cookies with candy melts? ›

Place treats on parchment lined cookie sheet or over parchment. Place Candy Melts in a disposable decorating bag, parchment bag, or Cookie Decorating Bottle and melt. Cut a small hole in the tip of bag. Drizzle strings of melted candy from bag.

How do you decorate cookies quickly? ›

Use Squeeze Bottles to Decorate Cookies with Icing

I find that squeeze bottles work just as well for decorating and are easier for us non-pro bakers to work with. Plus, they're easy to clean! My favorites are little eight-ounce squeeze bottles that you can find at Michael's and other craft stores.

How to decorate fancy cookies? ›

Start by outlining the cookie with piping-consistency icing in any color you choose. Then, use flooding-consistency icing to fill the outlined area, starting by flooding around the edges and working your way towards the center. If the flooding is inconsistent in thickness, redistribute the wet icing with a toothpick.

What is the easiest way to decorate sugar cookies? ›

Here are a few ideas:
  1. Use colored sugars, sprinkles, and edible decorations.
  2. Use melted chocolate and colored icing to create patterns.
  3. Use cookie cutters to create shapes and use icing and decorations to embellish.
  4. Use a toothpick or small brush to create designs with icing.
Jan 23, 2018

When can kids decorate cookies? ›

Some generalizations: The youngest of the group, ages 2, 3, maybe 4, go for speed and volume. That means they are in and out in minutes, but still manage to pile several inches of icing on their cookie. The older kids, ages 10 to 14, usually (but not always) the girls, take their time.

What do children learn from decorating cookies? ›

Cooking and baking is a huge part of the holiday season. Making and decorating cookies is fun for all ages, and can give your child's fine motor skills a good workout. Of course, there is always the reward of a yummy decorated cookie when you are all through as well.

What are the benefits of decorating cookies with kids? ›

Baking and decorating cookies with your child is a fun and creative way to bring the whole family closer together. Not only can you create together, but kids can use cookie kits to express themselves in all sorts of ways!

What are the top 3 items consumers buy for Valentine's Day? ›

“With consumers prioritizing their spouse or significant other this year, retailers expect to see a shift in spending for certain gifting categories.” The top gifts include candy (57%), greeting cards (40%), flowers (39%), an evening out (32%), jewelry (22%), clothing (21%) and gift cards (19%).

What is the most popular Valentine's treat? ›

Chocolate covered strawberries are a classic treat on Valentine's Day but the store-bought variety are often pretty expensive. Luckily, they're easy to make at home and you can even get creative with decorating them: sprinkles, chopped nuts, or crushed freeze-dried strawberries!

Does a girl buy Valentine gift? ›

It is common for both men and women to give gifts to their partners on Valentine's Day. It is not limited to a specific gender, both men and women can give gifts to their partners as a way to show their love and affection.

How do you set up cookie decorating for toddlers? ›

Take 3 cookie sheets, place baked cookies on one, parchment and jar/bowl of sprinkles on another and candies such as M&M's on the third. Place colored frosting next to the cookie sheet with cookies. Let your toddler know it's time to decorate cookies, when you're all set up.

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