20 Valentine’s Day Snacks That Make Sweet Lunchbox Treats
Can we confess? We kinda love Valentine’s Day. Conversation hearts and temporary tattoos that say “UR CUTE” might be cheesy, but they also make our grade-school heart flutter. With that in mind, we’re keen on these 20 Valentine’s Day snacks that would delight any kid, whether you stick a berries and cream cookie in their lunchbox or whip up a batch of strawberry shortcake cupcakes for an after-school treat. Make ’em for your sweeties (but save a few for yourself).
60 Fun and Easy Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids
1. Berries and Cream Cookies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
Instead of food coloring, the cookies get their pink hue (and flavor) from freeze-dried berries, which you can find online and in stores like Trader Joe’s or Target. We like a mix of strawberry and raspberry for the holiday spirit, but you can use any kind you like.
2. Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
For a cutout cookie that looks super impressive but is simple enough for beginner bakers, try swirling food coloring into a simple icing, then dipping heart-shaped cookies for a tie-dye effect. Groovy, right?
3. Confetti Crust Hand Pies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
Normally we’re all for shortcuts, like frozen pie crust. But here, homemade is worth the extra effort since you’ll incorporate sprinkles for a festive touch. Fill them with store-bought jam and you won’t lose any time.
4. Heart Thumbprint Cookies
Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 40 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly
Roses are red, violets are blue. These cookies are cute, and so easy…too. Use a seedless jam for the easiest, cleanest filling. This beats conversation hearts, no?
5. Jammy Shortbread Bars
Photo: Mark Weinberg/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
FYI, these layered bars are surprisingly stackable for lunchbox treats. Just let the frosting set for a few hours before you pack them up.
6. Animal Cookie Blondies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 35 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
You’ll swoon over the short ingredients list and bake time (hello, 35 minutes), while your kids will go gaga over the pink and white cookies they already know and love. Rainbow sprinkles are optional, if you want to go all out.
7. Three-Ingredient Chocolate Truffles
Colin Price/Dinner Then Dessert
Time Commitment: 4 hours, 25 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
Sure, chocolate truffles might sound too fancy for a Valentine’s Day snack, but hear us out. These come together with just three ingredients (and very little skill), so basically anyone can make them.
8. Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bark
Sally’s Baking Recipes
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, no cook
For a more low-brow (but no less delicious) chocolate treat, swirl together this chocolate bark and top it with seasonal candies. Last minute classroom parties have met their match.
9. Homemade Marshmallows
A Cookie Named Desire
Time Commitment: 55 minutes
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
If you’ve never tasted a homemade marshmallow, you’re in for a treat. They’re fluffier, softer and less cloying than the bagged kind—one bite and you’ll never go back. Bonus points for heart-shaped sprinkles.
10. Strawberry Half-Moon Cookies
Katherine Gillen
Time Commitment: 50 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
When February rolls around, we’ll take any excuse to transform a recipe into a fever dream of pink and red…hence these strawberry sweeties. They’re a fruity take on the classic chocolate and vanilla treat (also known as a black and white or half-and-half cookie), and come Valentine’s Day, no one will miss the chocolate.
11. Valentine’s Hugs
Spend with Pennies
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, <15 minutes
With four ingredients and almost no cooking time, even little hands can help put together these Valentine’s Day bites. We like the mix of white and milk chocolate, but regular Hershey Kisses would work too.
12. 5-Minute Valentine’s Snack Mix
Oh Sweet Basil
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: <15 minutes, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly
See ya later, peanuts and raisins. This snack mix is all about sweet, salty and festive mix-ins, like pink and white chocolates, cinnamon-flavored candies, X and O pretzels and cereal for good measure.
13. Vegetable Flower Bouquets
Fork and Beans
Time Commitment: 20 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
What kid wouldn’t want to eat their veggies if cut into flower-like shapes? This bouquet won’t get traded for a store-bought cupcake. (OK, it might, but at least someone’s kid will love it.)
14. Heart Shaped Valentine’s Caprese Skewers
A Pretty Life In the Suburbs
Time Commitment: 15 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, <15 minutes, beginner-friendly
If you’re already maxed out on sweets, channel your inner cupid with these sweet skewers instead. Older kids will love the tomato-mozz-basil flavor profile, and the heart shapes are too cute.
15. Salted Caramel Brownies
Pinch of Yum
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy, crowd-pleaser
These gooey brownies are entirely homemade, but if you need to save time, start with a boxed mix. Not sure which one is the best? Check out our guide.
16. Rice Cereal Valentine’s Lollipops
Foodie Crush
Time Commitment: 25 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Valentine’s Day sprinkles make them holiday-ready, but you could also swap in toasted coconut, chopped nuts or a chocolate dip. The red food coloring is optional, but adds a festive touch.
17. Love Bug Applesauce
Fork and Beans
Time Commitment: 5 minutes
Why We Love It: no cook, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Even non-bakers can get in on the holiday love with a handful of googly eyes and some pipe cleaners. Lunchtime has never been cuter.
18. Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
For an after-school Valentine’s Day snack, quickly bake up a batch of these fluffy cupcakes. What’s that? You don’t think it’ll be quick? The frosting is whipped cream, and the cakes can be made up to three days ahead.
19. Easy Chocolate Marshmallow Cups
Photo: Matt Dutile/Styling: Erin McDowell
Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
The combination of milk chocolate and coconut oil means you can make these treats without having to temper the chocolate. The filling does require a stand mixer, but you could use jarred marshmallow fluff instead.
20. Valentine’s White Chocolate Popcorn
Gimme Some Oven
Time Commitment: 10 minutes
Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, <15 minutes
Sweet and salty are the key to your kid’s heart. Toss this white chocolate–coated popcorn in pink and white sprinkles or go the extra mile and add conversation hearts. XOXO.
