Valentine’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to show your grandchildren how much you love them. As a grandparent, you want to get them something special but also stay within your budget. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot to find meaningful and fun Valentine’s gifts for grandchildren.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!With a little creativity and thoughtfulness, you can come up with inexpensive DIY presents and choose affordable gifts that will make your grandchildren feel loved this Valentine’s Day. This guide will provide you with the best Valentine’s Day gift ideas that won’t break the bank.
Homemade Valentine’s Gifts
One of the best ways to give your grandkids inexpensive but heartfelt Valentine’s Day gifts is to make something for them yourself. Homemade gifts show how much time and care you put into finding just the right present. Here are some ideas for valentine’s gifts for grandchildren will cherish:
Photo Frames
Make your grandkids a special photo frame using craft supplies or recycled materials you have around the house. Decorate a simple wooden or cardboard frame with stickers, glitter, ribbons, etc. Print out a favorite photo of you and your grandchild and put it in the frame so they can display it in their room.
Baked Treats
Bake your grandkids’ favorite Valentine’s Day goodies like sugar cookies decorated with pink and red icing or chocolate-dipped strawberries. Bake the treats in the shape of hearts for an extra adorable touch. Homemade baked goods are always a delicious way to say “I love you!”
Handprint Crafts
Crafts featuring your grandchildren’s handprints or footprints make for heartwarming homemade Valentine’s Day gifts. Some ideas include having them put paint on their hands/feet and press them onto canvas or paper to make artwork for you. Or you can use craft supplies like glitter and stickers to decorate their handprints.
Coupon Books
Make your grandkids cute homemade coupon books full of special “prizes” they can redeem with you. The coupons can be for things like a movie night sleepover, baking cookies together, a trip to the zoo, etc. Let your grandchildren cash in the coupons to spend quality time together.
Sentimental Gifts
Sentimental gifts that remind your grandchildren of your special bond are some of the best Valentine’s Day presents. These meaningful gifts will be cherished for years to come:
Personalized Jewelry
Give your granddaughter a necklace or bracelet with her name or initials engraved on a charm. Or gift your grandson a monogrammed watch. Personalized jewelry makes your grandkids feel loved whenever they wear it.
Scrapbooks
Make a scrapbook filled with photos and mementos of special memories you have shared together. Include ticket stubs, drawings they made you, birthday cards, etc. This homemade scrapbook will become a treasured keepsake.
Throw Blanket
Customize a cozy throw blanket for your grandchild with cherished photos of the two of you printed right onto the fabric. They’ll love snuggling under a blanket covered with heartwarming memories.
Engraved Photo Frames
Select several favorite photos of you and your grandchild and put them in a set of engraved photo frames. Engrave each frame with a message like “I Love You to the Moon and Back” for a thoughtful loving touch.
Experience Gifts
Gift your grandchildren shared experiences that you can enjoy together. Make memories doing fun activities with them instead of just giving material objects. Some ideas include:
Tickets to a Game
Take your sports-loving grandson to a pro basketball or baseball game. Or get tickets to a local minor league game which are more budget-friendly. He’ll be thrilled to share his favorite sport with you.
Membership to a Museum
Give your granddaughter a year-long membership to an art, science, or children’s museum. She’ll love being able to visit regularly and share her developing interests with you.
Cooking or Baking Classes
Sign up yourself and your grandchildren for cooking or baking classes. They’ll have so much fun learning new recipes and kitchen skills alongside you.
Horseback Riding Lessons
If your grandkids love animals, gift them horseback riding lessons. They’ll be over the moon spending time with horses while you cheer them on. This creates priceless memories.
Creative Gifts
Valentine’s Day is a great chance to encourage your grandchildren’s creativity with fun gifts focused on self-expression. These presents will let their talents shine:
Art Supplies
Know a grandson or granddaughter who loves to draw and make art? Gift them a deluxe set of art supplies like quality sketchpads, colored pencils, watercolor paints, acrylic paints and brushes.
DIY Craft Kits
Give your crafty grandkids a DIY kit for making jewelry, candles, soap or other fun projects. Choose an age-appropriate kit so they can create start-to-finish.
Cookbooks
For the budding chef in the family, give a cookbook full of delicious recipes they’ll have fun trying with your supervision. Go for a desserts cookbook or an all-around kids cooking guide.
Magic Tricks
Does your grandson love performing magic tricks? Fuel his hobby with a magic set full of props, tricks and illusion ideas that will wow the family at the next gathering.
Science Kits
Encourage your granddaughter’s curiosity with hands-on science kits for studying nature, doing experiments, and exploring STEM topics like chemistry, engineering, and physics.
Tech Gifts
In today’s digital world, tech gifts can be perfect for older kids and teens. Just make sure to get age-appropriate tech your grandkids will use safely. Some smart ideas include:
Digital Camera
Let your photography-loving teen grandson capture family memories with his own digital camera. Look for an affordable beginner model with handy features like HD video.
Kindle E-Reader
Does your granddaughter always have her nose in a new book? Surprise her with a Kindle e-reader loaded with several novels you know she’ll love.
Wireless Headphones
Give your music-obsessed grandson new wireless headphones to replace his old broken pair. Look for headphones with comfortable ear pads and good sound quality.
Fitness Tracker Watch
Your athletic teen granddaughter will love tracking steps, distance, calories and more with a fitness tracker watch in her favorite color.
External Battery Charger
A portable phone battery charger is a useful gift for teens who are always on their devices so they can recharge quickly on the go. Pick a compact size.
Educational Gifts
Make the most of Valentine’s Day by gifting your grandchildren something educational that nurtures their growth. These presents will boost their skills and knowledge:
Chess Set
Playing chess helps develop critical thinking, planning, and pattern recognition. Gift a quality chess set to your clever grandson and teach him this engaging game.
Map Puzzle
This jigsaw puzzle of a world map will teach your geography-loving granddaughter about different countries, borders, capitals, and more in a fun hands-on way.
Educational Games
Look for board games that sneakily teach skills like spatial reasoning, problem-solving, vocabulary, math, and more. Playing and learning together is quality time.
Globe
A globe is a neat gift for curious kids. They can learn about world geography and cultures as they spin and explore the globe.
Microscope Kit
Young scientists will be fascinated exploring the microscopic world with a beginner microscope kit. Pick one designed for young kids with prepared slides.
Sentimental DIY Gifts
Adding a personal DIY touch to shop-bought gifts can make them extra meaningful. Here are ways to give basic gifts more heartfelt meaning:
Decorated Picture Frames
Take simple wooden picture frames from a craft store. Add sparkly gem stickers, ribbon, lace or paint to decorate them before inserting photos of you and your grandkids.
Personalized Notebook
Make a trip to the craft store for a blank notebook or journal. Decorate the cover with your grandchild’s name, favorite colors, stickers and more to customize it just for them.
Embellished Blanket
Adorn a cozy fleece or knit blanket from the store with ironed-on patches, fabric paint, embroidery of their name, and other handmade embellishments.
Scrapbook Photo Album
Personalize a classic photo album scrapbook for your grandchild. Decorate the pages with patterned paper, stickers, washi tape and add in cherished photos old and new.
Decorated Piggy Bank
Paint and decorate a plain ceramic piggy bank from a craft store to create a sentimental place for your grandchild to store their money and treasures.
Affordable Store-Bought Gifts
You can also find great deals on charming Valentine’s Day gifts for your grandchildren at stores without breaking the bank. Shop sales and clearance racks for budget-friendly gift ideas like:
Sweet Treats
Kids love candy and treats! Make up gift bags or boxes filled with your grandkids’ favorite sweets like chocolate hearts, candy necklaces, lollipops and more.
Stuffed Animals
Cuddly stuffed animals are sure to delight your grandkids. Look for extra affordable stuffed animals in clearance bins after other holidays.
Books
Books are inexpensive but cherished gifts. Know your grandchildren’s reading level and interests to pick books they’ll get engrossed in. Buy used books in good condition.
Coloring Books
Grab an inexpensive coloring book in a theme your grandchild loves like animals, nature, superheroes or princesses. Include a pack of markers, crayons or colored pencils.
Board Games
Check sales and thrift stores for gently used board games the whole family can play together like Monopoly, Scrabble, Guess Who, and more. Game night gifts are hours of fun.
Puzzles
Puzzles are an affordable way to give your grandkids a screen-free activity to enjoy. Get a 100-500 piece puzzle suited to their age and interests. Build it together.
Arts and Crafts Kits
Pick up affordable arts and crafts kits at discount stores that let kids make projects like beaded jewelry, painted flower pots, and more. Get creative together.
Gift Card Ideas
Gift cards make great presents because they allow your grandchildren to pick out exactly what they want. Here are gift card ideas to show you care:
Movie Theater Gift Cards
Treat your grandkids to a fun movie night out with gift cards to your local theater so they can pick the film. Add extra for snacks.
Restaurant Gift Cards
Let your grandchildren enjoy choosing dinner at their favorite family restaurant with a gift card. Make reservations for a special meal out together.
Ice Cream Shop Gift Cards
What kid wouldn’t love gift cards for cones, sundaes and other sweet treats from a favorite ice cream shop? Indulge their cravings.
Book Store Gift Cards
Know a bookworm? Gift cards to book stores like Barnes & Noble give them books galore to dive into. Offer to take them shopping to pick titles.
Toy Store Gift Cards
Toy store gift cards allow your grandchildren to pick out a new game, craft kit, stuffed animal or whatever they’re currently into. Shop together for bonding time.
Experiences to Share
Spending quality time together will mean more to your grandkids than any material gift. Try these experience ideas to make memories:
Bake Fest
Plan a special baking session to make homemade cookies, cakes and other Valentine’s Day goodies together. Set up a decorating station with frosting and sprinkles.
Arts and Crafts Day
On Presidents Day or another day off school, set up a table at home filled with craft supplies to make Valentine’s cards, gifts and decorations. Get creative side-by-side.
Museum Tour
Take your grandkids to a museum full of fun interactive exhibits they’ll enjoy exploring with you like a children’s museum or science center. Chat about what you see.
Game Day
Invite your grandkids over for an afternoon of board games, video games, or playing with toys and dolls. Providing hands-on fun means more than toys alone.
Movie Marathon
Make popcorn and grab cozy blankets for a movie marathon at home. Let your grandchildren pick out their favorite family-friendly films to watch back-to-back. Snuggle up together.
Valentine’s Day Card Messages
Along with your gift, be sure to give your grandchildren thoughtful Valentine’s Day cards too. Here are sweet messages to write:
- You fill my heart with love every single day. Happy Valentine’s Day!
- I love you to the moon and back, always and forever.
- Wishing my wonderful grandchild a very happy Valentine’s Day.
- You make my heart smile. Love you!
- Thank you for all the love and joy you bring me.
- Sending big hugs and so much love to you this Valentine’s Day!
- I’m so lucky to have you as my valentine all year round.
FAQs
1. Should grandparents give gifts to grandchildren for Valentine’s Day?
Yes, grandparents can give small gifts or treats to grandchildren on Valentine’s Day to make them feel loved. Simple, thoughtful gifts are a nice gesture without overdoing it. Homemade and personalized gifts mean a lot.
2. What are good inexpensive Valentine’s Day gifts for grandchildren under 10?
Great budget-friendly gift ideas for young grandchildren include stuffed animals, sweet treats, coloring books, board games, puzzles, arts & crafts kits, books, movie gift cards, toy store gift cards, photo frames you decorate, and homemade coupons or baked goods.
3. What are appropriate tween Valentine’s Day gifts from grandparents?
For grandchildren ages 8-12, consider gifts like craft kits, board games, books, journals, educational games, kinetic sand, DIY jewelry kits, tech like wireless headphones or tablets, sport gifts, gift cards for clothes, movies, restaurants or experiences.
4. What are thoughtful Valentine’s gifts for teenagers from grandparents?
Teens will appreciate useful gifts like wireless tech, electronics, earbuds, fitness trackers, polaroid cameras, gift cards for Amazon, Visa, movies, restaurants, or experiences like concerts, as well as care packages, backpacks, wall art, photo keepsakes, and high quality coffee mugs or water bottles.
5. What are Valentine’s Day gift ideas for a granddaughter vs. a grandson?
Consider your individual grandchild’s interests. For granddaughters, typical gifts are crafts, jewelry, hair accessories, makeup, books, journals, feminine tech accessories, clothes gift cards. For grandsons, ideas include sports gifts, STEM toys, gaming gift cards, books, LEGO sets, tech gear, nerf guns, and skateboards or bikes.
Final Thoughts
Valentine’s Day offers the perfect chance to make your grandchildren feel extra loved. You don’t need to spend a lot to give them meaningful gifts and create memories together that they’ll cherish. This Valentine’s Day, show the man in your life just how much you care with thoughtful homemade presents like photo frames, baked treats, and handprint crafts that come straight from the heart; or opt for sentimental gifts such as personalized jewelry and photo books to create lasting reminders of your special bond.
Experience Valentine’s gifts for grandchildren and provide quality time to strengthen your relationship through fun new adventures. And affordable store-bought presents can still make your grandkids smile when chosen thoughtfully. This Valentine’s Day, get creative with budget-friendly ways to show your grandchildren how much you care. The love behind any gift you pick will mean the most.