Do you know those adorable little conversation hearts that are all the rage on Valentine’s Day? Do those pastel-pressed morsels of sugar fill your mouth with sweetness? Well, this year you may want to stock up on those tasty little treasures because there’s a myriad of things you can do with them in your classroom! From activities and crafts to lesson ideas, you can utilize these tasty treats in a variety of ways that your students will love!
1. Sweethearts Name Practice
This activity is an adorable, low-prep idea for preschool and kindergarten students who are learning how to spell their names. It’s colorful, crafty, and educational, and offers kids a chance to practice putting the letters of their names in order.
Learn More: Etsy
2. Conversation Hearts Math Stations
Kindergarteners and first-graders will love practicing math using these conversation hearts math worksheets. Basic addition, graphing, and patterns serve as practical and independent practice stations for littles to review during math center time.
Learn More: Etsy
3. Candy Hearts Investigation
Little scientists will enjoy investigating what happens to sweethearts when they’re placed in various liquids. This recording sheet follows the scientific process for experiments. It also makes the activity low-prep for teachers and visually appealing for kids.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
4. Candy Heart Fractions
Learning fractions is often a difficult task for kiddos. Add in some candy and instantly turn it into tons of fun! After giving each child a handful of conversation hearts, they’ll be able to track and compare the amount of each color heart they have.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
5. Conversation Heart Stories
Challenge students to write funny and original stories using the phrases available on their conversation hearts combined with their own writing. They can work in partners, groups, or individually depending on your classroom environment.
Learn More: Education World
6. Student Research
Older students will get a kick out of writing a research paper on conversation hearts. Have them utilize the websites like the one linked here to do some research on this old-fashioned candy and write a short paper.
Learn More: Mental Floss
7. Alphabetized Hearts
Young students learning the alphabet will benefit from this fun and challenging activity. Using a box of conversation hearts, learners will put their hearts in alphabetical order. Mix it up and have kids group the hearts by the sound of the first letter on each of them.
Learn More: Our Journey Westward
8. Candy Hearts Painting Project
All teachers will love this adorable painting project. It can be customized to suit whatever purpose you want the candy hearts to serve. For example, they can become candy grams, random acts of kindness, or just be used as a simple take-home for mom.
Learn More: Deep Space Sparkle
9. Fun With CVC Words
What kid wouldn’t want to practice their CVC words and then eat them? This website allows you to personalize candy hearts and use them to create CVC words on conversation hearts. Kids can then use them for individual practice or within a center activity.
Learn More: My Custom Candy
10. Practice Sight Words
Students in pre-primary through third grade need continuous practice with sight words. This conversation heart-themed pack is the perfect version to print and pass out during the month of February. Bonus if you can print it in color!
Learn More: Teach With Me
11. Conversation Heart Bingo
No celebration is complete without a good game of bingo! The best part? Kids will get to eat their conversation hearts when the game is over, so everyone wins!
Learn More: Artsy Fartsy Mama
12. Conversation Heart Valentine
These happen to be adorable valentines made to look just like conversation hearts! Kids can simply follow the tutorial to make these cute valentines that they can then gift to friends and family or keep for themselves!
Learn More: Barley and Birch
13. Salt Dough Hearts
Salt dough is the perfect medium for kids elementary kids to use for sculpting. It’s non-toxic and dries easily; meaning that no ovens are necessary. They make great ornaments or gifts that can be personalized to express a special message.
Learn More: The Best Ideas for Kids
14. Candy Heart Stacking
Give each team a box of conversation hearts with one and only one objective: create the tallest stack. There are no specific rules other than the hearts cannot be supported by anything. Kids will find this 1-minute challenge exciting as they work together in teams to win!
Learn More: Party Game Ideas
15. Letter Tracing
Little hands will enjoy this activity the most. Letter tracing allows kids to practice their motor skills and letter shapes at the same time. Simply have your learners place conversation hearts over various letters to trace them.
Learn More: Playdough to Plato
16. Pattern Match
Pre-K students need a lot of practice when it comes to patterns. Pattern strips are the perfect way to foster this skill! These candy heart strips will help little ones learn and understand the basics of patterns as they match the hearts to those on the strip.
Learn More: Prekinders
17. Ghost Candy Hearts
This fun science experiment changes the colors of the candy hearts to white; creating “ghost” candies. It tests and displays the power of the sun and its ability to change and fade coloration. This experiment is also a great conversation starter for lessons centered around harnessing the sun’s energy and power.
Learn More: Moments With Mandi
18. Opinion Writing
Students are always interested in sharing their opinions. Ask them about their favorites and they could chat for hours! This simple, yet effective candy heart project allows them to do just that. With the help of a writing prompt and graphic organizer, students will give their opinions on this timeless candy.
Learn More: Pinterest
19. Candy Heart Oobleck
I don’t know any child who doesn’t enjoy playing with a good batch of oobleck! It’s squishy, messy, and colorful. This candy-filled version incorporates candy hearts, making it perfect for the month of February!
Learn More: Friends Art Lab
20. Dancing Hearts
Help kindergarten students understand how carbonation works using this quick and easy science investigation. The only supplies you need are conversation hearts and a glass of carbonated soda water, and you can let the bubbles do the rest!
Learn More: Pinterest
21. Candy Heart Catapult
This STEM project will be the talk of the classroom! Have students use a few easily found supplies and challenge them to create a catapult. Whichever team’s candy hearts go the furthest wins!
Learn More: Stir the Wonder
22. Practical Skills: Weight
When it comes to teaching a practical skill like using a scale, adding a variety of practice ideas is essential! Kids will remain entertained and interested using candy hearts and classroom objects to compare weight.
Learn More: The STEM Laboratory
23. Valentines Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are great tools for encouraging little ones to discover new textures. Using conversation hearts and other edible treats, this sensory bin will help kids learn and discover through play.
Learn More: Normal Life Mom
24. Candy Heart Estimation
Challenge your learners to estimate how many conversation hearts are covering a given picture. The learner who makes the closest guess gets to keep all the hearts!
Learn More: Pinterest
25. Candy Heart Sculptures
Paper mache is a fun and messy way to help kids express themselves! It’s been around for years. Newspaper, glue, and cardboard turn into these pastel beauties that kids can make, take, and be proud of!
Learn More: Cassie Stephens