How to Make a Simple Paper Heart DIY for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to embrace all things heart-shaped! Instead of sticking to the usual cards and chocolates, why not make this paper heart DIY project for your Romeo or Juliet?

This festive way to celebrate love doubles as a thoughtful handmade gift and a charming decoration. Learn how to craft a paper cone Valentine heart that’s sure to fill your home with vibrant Valentine vibes!

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Does anyone else feel like Valentine’s Day sneaks up on them every year? After the whirlwind of the holidays, it always takes me by surprise—like, “Here we go! Another reason to decorate!”

But honestly, it’s a nice surprise. It’s the perfect excuse to share a little extra love and brighten up the house with pops of cheerful color.

I used to love cutting out paper hearts to give to my school friends.

But now I have a paper heart DIY that is a little more sophisticated!

If you’re looking for a fun idea to make your Valentine’s Day even more special, I’ve got you covered with this simple craft project.

I promise, if you can make a paper cone (You know you can!), you’re already halfway to creating this adorable Valentine’s heart. Easy, right? Let’s dive in!

Supply List

• Red or Pink Cardstock  (construction paper will work but this project is better with a thicker paper like scrapbook paper)
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Hot Glue or Scotch Tape
• Cardboard

No need to overthink the cardboard…I used a leftover box!

How to Make a Paper Cone Valentine Heart

The first step is to create your cardboard base.

Draw a heart shape on your piece of cardboard and cut it out using sharp scissors

You can free-hand this but I always prefer to use a felt heart from the dollar store when drawing a heart.

Without a template, my hearts tend to look like they need some pick-me-up surgery!

Next, cut (lots) 3′ x 3″ hearts from your cardstock.

I’m going for shades of red!

Making the Paper Cones

Take one square piece of paper and twist it into a cone.

This took me a few tries to get the cone shape that I wanted… tight tip at the bottom and a rounded opening at the top.

Once I got the hang of it, I was a paper-twisting machine! (I watched “Emily in Paris” while twisting!)

Add a touch of hot glue to seal the cone. I tried scotch tape but they kept popping open. Just go for the glue!

Twist LOTS of cones!

The number of cones that you need depends on the size of your cardboard heart. So if you have a larger heart, you need lots of cones!

I loved seeing my pile of red cones grow as I twisted them!

Creating the Paper Cone Heart

Starting at the bottom of the cardboard heart, glue each cone with the tip toward the middle and the opening facing out. Continue to glue the cones around the perimeter of the heart.

Angle them as needed so the cone openings face out and create a border around the cardboard. Don’t worry about spacing between the bottoms of the cones…they will eventually be covered.

Once you get the first layer completed, add another!

For the secondary layers, pull the cones back slightly so there is an angled “stack” of cones.

Keep layering!

I decided to change the shade of red on the fourth layer to a burgundy red.

As you add layers and try to fit them all in, you will find that you need to glue the cones in a more upright position…and then the cones are too long!

Just bend the bottom or cut the tip of it off.

How about some shocking pink for the center?

Yes, please!

I love how sculptural this turned out!

It reminds me of a museum sculpture, a bee’s honeycomb, and a box of chocolate…all in one paper cone heart!

Display Ideas for Your Paper Heart DIY

You could…

• Hang from a door.
• Set on a coffee table beside a book of poetry.
• Prop on a fireplace mantel.
• Leave it on the doorstep of someone special.
• Use as a table centerpiece flanked with, of course…chocolate kisses!

I styled it as a centerpiece on our kitchen island.

Chocolate kisses and Gran Marnier are ready to go for Valentine’s Day!

If you want to make someone feel special this Valentine’s Day, try making them this paper heart DIY. You can make handmade gifts that will put a smile on anyone’s face!

Now get out there and start spreading the love!

Cheers and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

Pin the image below to your boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!

Valentine’s Day with The Handcrafted Society

More Valentine Inspiration!

A Valentine’s Day Decor Idea Using Tulips

14 Easy Valentine’s Day Decor Ideas

A Valentine Table

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