Valentine’s Day Craft: Accordion Folded Paper Hearts

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My daughter came home from her friend’s house the other day so excited to show me a Valentine’s Day craft they did together.  Accordion folded paper hearts are so simple to make and she turned them into a decoration for her door. My girls love to decorate their bedrooms for the holidays and this was a fun and easy way to do it! They would also be great to decorate a classroom. 

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time for a heartfelt handmade craft.  These accordion-folded paper hearts are a simple, beautiful way to add a personal touch to your Valentine’s Day decorations or gifts. This is a great craft project for all ages! Made from a circle of paper, folded accordion-style, and then shaped into a heart, this DIY Valentine’s craft is fun for kids and adults alike. Let’s dive into the step-by-step tutorial and creative ways to use them!

How to Make Accordion Folded Paper Hearts:

Materials Needed:

• Colored or patterned paper (construction paper, scrapbook paper, or even recycled paper) We used origami paper for ours, so it was already cut into small equal-sized squares. 

• Scissors

• Glue or double-sided tape

• A pencil

• A small plate, bowl or circular object for tracing

How to Make the Accordion Paper Hearts:

1. Trace and Cut the Circle – Use a small plate or any round object to trace a circle onto your paper. Cut it out carefully.
   
   

2. Accordion Fold – Start at one edge of the circle and fold it back and forth in small even folds (about ½ inch wide), like an accordion.
   
   

3. Fold in Half – Once the entire circle is folded, you will do a center fold. Fold the accordion in half so that the edges meet. This will naturally create a heart shape.
   
   

4. Secure the Heart – Use glue, double-sided tape, or even a stapler to hold the folded edges together at the center.
   
   

5. Fluff and Adjust – Carefully adjust the folds to make the heart symmetrical and rounded.

Creative Variations for the Accordion Folded Paper Heart Craft:

Change them up and make some different variations! Here are some ideas:

• Layered Look: Use two different sizes of circles and layer them for a dimensional effect.

• Lace or Doily Hearts: Use paper doilies or lace-patterned paper for an elegant, vintage style.

• Stamped or Hand-Drawn Designs: Before folding, decorate your circles with stamps, drawings, or handwritten messages.

• Mini Origami Hearts for Cards: Make smaller versions and attach them to DIY Valentine’s cards for a pop-up effect.

• Glitter or Metallic Paper: Use specialty papers to make your hearts shimmer and stand out.

Educational Benefits of This Valentine’s Day Craft:

Crafts are fun, but also educational!  Here are some benefits beyond just making something pretty. 

• Fine Motor Skills – Folding and cutting help improve hand-eye coordination and dexterity in children.

• Math Concepts – Learning about circles, symmetry, and fractions through folding is a subtle way to incorporate math.

• Creativity & Self-Expression – Kids can personalize their designs with colors, patterns, and messages.

• Patience & Focus – This step-by-step Valentine’s craft encourages concentration and following instructions.

• Gift-Making & Social Skills – Handmade Valentine’s Day gifts foster thoughtfulness and appreciation among friends and family.

Looking for more Valentine’s Day activities? Check out these:

Geometric Heart: Valentine STEM
Heart Tessellation- Valentine Math
Printable Valentine’s Day Mad Libs