Easy non-candy Mermaid Valentine classmates, friends and family will love. Made with no-mess magic play sand, mini sand toy and FREE mermaid printable (find the printable below).
If you’re looking for a fun non-candy valentine all the kids will love, this is it!
This easy no-mess Kinetic Sand Valentine with FREE mermaid valentine printable (PDF printable file below) is the perfect way your child can show their friendship and love to classmates this Valentine’s Day!
I’m all about saving money without losing quality, flavor or fun! There’s no exception to this fun mermaid valentine.
I’ve included a large quantity cheaper version. You can skip the pricy Kinetic Sand containers and make your own.
To learn more about making this valentine for less, read below. 🙂
NEEDED SUPPLIES TO MAKE THIS EASY MERMAID VALENTINE:
- No-mess magic sand (Kinetic Sand, Sand Alive, Wonder Sand)
- Mini sand toy
- cellophane bag (I used 4×6 inch bags)
- Twistie tie, ribbon or string
- FREE mermaid valentine printable (below)
- Portion cups (if using a bulk bag of sand – cheaper option, learn more below)
- scissors or craft punch
Looking for other inexpensive Valentine’s ideas? You may also like these:
- DIY Valentine’s Clothespin Wreath (reversible to St. Patty’s Day)
- Easy Valentine’s Glitter Burlap Wreath (under $5)
- Valentine’s Buttermilk Pancake Bites
- Vanilla Oreo Truffles – only takes about 20 minutes to make!
- Valentine’s Turtle Pretzels (under 5-minutes)
WHERE DO I FIND KINETIC SAND?
I won’t lie, Kinetic Sand (the name brand stuff) is a little price. When you’re talking about making a valentine for each member of your child’s classroom, that adds up fast.
I have two kiddos in school right now, one in preschool and the other in elementary. We needed 36 Valentines this year. These small 5oz castle containers of Kinetic Sand are about $2 a piece. That would have cost me over $75 just for the no-mess sand! Ouch!
If the price isn’t an issue for you, feel free to use the 5oz Kinetic Sand containers to go with these cute mermaid valentine printables. You can find them on Amazon (here -more expensive) or at Walmart/Target (about $2 a container).
I made 4 Kinetic Sand versions for my girls for Valentine’s Day.
IS THERE A CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE?
YES!
For classmates, we went the more frugal way… I purchased the magic sand in a bulk bag. I actually found a 5.5lb bag of Sand Alive at a liquidation store about a month back for $6. CRAZY!
You can find large bags of Kinetic Sand or generic brand no-mess magic sand on Amazon and at stores like Walmart or Target for a reasonable price (under $15).
I bought little 2-3oz portion cups from Dollar Tree. They came in a 10 pack for $1. I divided the 5.5lb bag of no-mess sand into those cups and snapped the lid down.
To add a special but inexpensive touch to this toy valentine, I added a sand toy and created a mermaid valentine tag to go with each non-candy valentine.
I also found a pack of 12 mini sand toys at Dollar Tree. Aren’t they so cute!
PRICE AND COST: 5oz KINETIC SAND VS 2-3oz PORTION CUP
50z KINETIC SAND VERSION:
- $1.97 – 5oz Kinetic Sand (Walmart)
- $0.09 – (1) Sandcastle toy (12 count pack for $1 at Dollar Tree)
- $0.03 – Cellophane bag (4×6 inch 40 count pack for $1 at Dollar Tree)
- $0.00 – FREE Mermaid Valentine printable
Total : $2.09
2-3oz PORTION CUP VERSION:
- $0.51 – Kinetic Sand (bulk 3lb bag bought on Amazon portioned into about 20 cups or use a 40% off coupon at JoAnns and get a 3lb bag for under $11)
- $0.10 – Portion cup (10 count pack for $1 at Dollar Tree)
- $0.09 – (1) Sandcastle toy (12 count pack for $1 at Dollar Tree)
- $0.03 – Cellophane bag (4×6 inch 40 count pack for $1 at Dollar Tree)
- $0.00 – FREE Mermaid Valentine printable
Total: $0.73 (I was able to find a 5.5lb bag of Alive Sand for $6 which made my cost only $0.29 each!)
3 DIFFERENT SIZES FOR THE MERMAID VALENTINE PRINTABLE
There are 3 sizes of tags; 2-inch (20 to a page), 2.5-inch (12 to a page), and 3.5-inch (6 to a page).
You can choose which fits your mermaid valentine best.
I used the 2.5-inch and used a 2.5-inch round punch to quickly cut them out. You can find a round craft punch like the one I used here or you can save some money and check out your local Michael’s, JoAnns, or Hobby Lobby craft store. All of these stores usually have a 40%+ coupon you can use on regular price items.
FREE MERMAID VALENTINE PRINTABLE:
Click the size you’d like to print. It will open a PDF that you can then print.
I hope you all have a sweet Valentine’s Day!
What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day tradition?
Ryan, my husband, takes each of our daughters out on a one-on-one date of their choice.
I love it!
He loves it too and most importantly, our girls look forward to this special Valentine’s date every year. <3
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OP: 2.6.19 Updated: 2.12.20