How to Make a Basic Valentine Box
The base method every themed box uses: a covered shoebox with a card slot in the lid.
30 min Cost $ 4 items
23 Valentine Box Ideas
Card boxes for the school Valentine’s party, made from a shoebox or tissue box and things you already have. Plus gift box ideas for grown-ups.
23 ideas
Dinosaur Valentine Box
A green box dinosaur whose mouth is the card slot, with paper spikes down the back.
1 hr Cost $ 5 items
Unicorn Valentine Box
A white box with a glittery card horn, closed eyelashes and a rainbow mane.
45 min Cost $ 5 items
Hungry Monster Valentine Box
A furry monster that “eats” the valentines through a big toothy mouth.
40 min Cost $ 4 items
Robot Valentine Box
A silver robot with bottle-cap dials, a heart control panel and a card slot mouth.
1 hr Cost $ 5 items
Claw Machine Valentine Box
A box with a clear front “window”, mini prizes inside and a working pipe-cleaner claw.
2 hr Cost $$ 5 items
Vending Machine Valentine Box
A tall box with a clear front showing rows of “snacks” and a slot to post cards.
2 hr Cost $$ 4 items
Mailbox Valentine Box
A classic red mailbox with a working flag — simple and perfect for cards.
45 min Cost $ 4 items
Hot Air Balloon Valentine Box
A basket box with a paper-lantern or balloon “hot air balloon” floating above.
1 hr Cost $ 4 items
Cat Valentine Box
A tissue box cat with pointed ears, whiskers and a heart nose.
30 min Cost $ 4 items
Puppy Valentine Box
A puppy with floppy felt ears and a tongue made from a red heart.
35 min Cost $ 4 items
Football Field Valentine Box
A green box with painted yard lines, mini goalposts and a football card slot.
1 hr Cost $ 3 items
Basketball Hoop Valentine Box
Cards are “shot” through a hoop and net on the top of the box.
1 hr Cost $ 4 items
Monster Truck Valentine Box
A box truck on four giant paper-plate wheels, with the slot as the window.
1 hr Cost $ 4 items
Rocket Ship Valentine Box
A tall rocket made from an oatmeal tub or crisps tube with fins and a cone nose.
50 min Cost $ 3 items
Gumball Machine Valentine Box
A round “globe” filled with pom-pom gumballs on a red box base.
45 min Cost $ 4 items
Mermaid Tail Valentine Box
A sparkly box with a scaled mermaid tail rising out of the top.
50 min Cost $ 4 items
Camera Valentine Box
A retro camera box where cards go in through the “photo” slot.
40 min Cost $ 4 items
Date Night Box
A gift box with everything for a night in: a film, snacks, a candle and a handwritten “ticket”.
Cost $$ 5 items
Breakfast in Bed Box
A box with good coffee or tea, a pastry mix, jam and a note promising breakfast in bed.
Cost $$ 5 items
Spa Night Box
Bath soak, face masks, fluffy socks and a candle for a relaxing night.
Cost $$ 5 items
Galentine’s Snack Box
A shareable box of sweet and salty snacks for friends or coworkers, with a pun card.
Cost $ 4 items
Valentine Boxes questions
What box is best for a Valentine box?
A shoebox is the most versatile; a tissue box is quicker because it already has an opening. Cereal boxes work for tall designs like vending machines.
How big should the card slot be?
About 1 cm wide and 12 cm long works for most cards. Make it wider if classmates attach lollipops or pencils.
When do kids need their Valentine box?
Usually for the class Valentine’s party in the week of 14 February. Check with your child’s teacher for any size rules.
Can I buy a ready-made Valentine box kit?
Yes — kits are widely available, but a covered shoebox costs almost nothing and kids enjoy decorating it.