We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and itspublishingpartners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Dare I say it — move over, candy.
1. A value pack of favor bags that's earned the top spot on this list for a reason — each set comes 👏fully pre-assembled👏 with two pencils, two erasers, a stamper, a sheet of stickers and a sweet note. You can thank me later, fellow lazy parents.
Promising review: "Valentine'sDay done in one order!I am so excited about this purchase. This just made my job easy because these valentines are adorable and they are completely finished. I'm surprised by all the goodies we get for this great price. And I also appreciate the variety (four options)."—Lynne Kappler
Promising review: "I totally loved getting this in the mail! These are prepackaged Valentine gift bags ready to hand out! This saved me so much time and energy to have these sent to me already completed! Made my shopping and gifting easy! Thanks!"—Jennifer Andrus
Shipping Info:Available onAmazon Primewith 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 28 from Amazon for$19.99.
2. A pack of mini Tic-Tac-Toe foam games which conveniently come individually wrapped...but not for long. Your kiddo will (lovingly) challenge their friends to a game ASAP.
Amazon
Promising review: "Bought these as a Valentine's party favor for my daughter’s class. I’m very pleased — they are really cute and individually packaged." —EEM
Shipping Info:Available onAmazon Primewith 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $12.50.
3. A pack of heart-shaped scratch cards to keep the little love bugs busy while they scratch off the black surface to reveal a vibrant Valentine message underneath. It even comes with string so they can proudly display their artwork.
Amazon
The value pack includes 96 cards, 48 scratch sticks, and 96 ribbons.
Promising review: "My students enjoyed decorating these for Valentine's day. I like that the kit came with a lot of scratch sticks."—Stuph Steph Buys
Shipping Info:Available onAmazon Primewith 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 96 for $22.99.
4. A pack of mini pop its with cards sporting sweet punny messages like *you make my heart pop* and *so glad you popped into my life.* Guaranteed to be ~pop-ular~ in any classroom.
Amazon, amazon.com
The value pack includes 24 cards (4.7" x 3.9") with blank spaces to write special messages and 24 mini push pop bubbles.
Promising review: "My daughter is SO excited to hand these out next month. As soon as we got them she wanted to get them all ready for her friends. Cute designs, easy to put together. Great value for the price. Popits are all the fad right now, much better than handing out candy in my opinion!!" —Amazon Customer
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $17.99.
5. And a handmade pop it keychain favor for a gift with a personal touch that really pops.
Beyer Creations / Etsy
Beyer Creations is a small biz based inHaines City, Florida that specializes inhandmade earrings, masks, t-shirts, bows, signs, and more.
Shipping Info:Processing time is three to four days and orders ship from Florida, so delivery time varies by your location.
Get them fromBeyer Creations on Etsy for$2.49+each (also available in larger quantities).
6. A value pack of temporary Vday tattoos with impossibly cute monsters, llamas, and dinos. But, if your child is anything like mine, they'll try to cover their entire body with all 160 tattoos rather than helping stuff their classmates' goodie bags. You've been warned.
Promising review: "Love these!! Arrived the morning after ordering. Great color and quality! 168 tattoos total, comes in 28 sheets with 6 tattoos to a sheet. Each individual tattoo can be detached from the sheet. Great idea for school goodie bags on Valentine’s Day." —Allanzo
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 160 from Amazon for $4.99.
7. A card and rainbow pencil combo where half the fun will involve choosing whether their bestie will get a magical greeting from Unicorn, Caticorn, Narwhal, or Llamacorn. 🦄
amazon.com, Amazon
The value pack includes 24 cards with rainbow pencils.
Promising review: "Totes adorbs. These cards are so cute and come with a high quality rainbow pencil. My kid rocked Valentine’s Day and loved choosing different animals for different friends." —JDubJ
Promising review: "Daughter is a unicorn freak. These were PERFECT for her school party, she loved them. No damage in shipping." —His Little Angel
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $9.99.
8. A pack of love bugs in jars perfect for any child who is seriously *bugged* by mushy gifts.
Amazon, amazon.com
Package includes 30 cards and bugs.
Promising review: "This was an adorable option for school valentines. Very unique unlike the store bought flimsy ones. Her teacher complimented on how great they were. Easy assembly with twist tie. The jar and love bug concept is super cute!!!" —Rebecca Davis
Promising review: "I got these for my son’s Valentines for school because he loves bugs. The bugs look great and look high quality. Not cheap looking and the cardboard is thick and nice. Very adorable! Glad I got them." —Etoiles
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 30 for $9.99.
9. A pack of Smencils aka scented pencils emanating yummy aromas like strawberry cheesecake, jelly donut, and chocolate milkshake. Literally, yummy enough to eat.
Amazon, amazon.com
PS: These are HB No. 2 graphite pencils made from 100% recycled newspapers.
Promising review: "Cute! We used these to make candy-free Valentines (pic on the right above). My daughter and her friends LOVED them." —SAP
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $15.99 and get a pack of pencil topper cards (to create your own valentines) from Amazon for $8.99.
10. A pack of foam airplanes that reviewers say actually fly, unlike some junky favors, and come packaged in a cool box. Why ~wing it~ this year when you can make their little hearts ~soar~?
Amazon
The value pack includes includes 28 foam airplanes, greeting cards, and envelopes.
Promising review: "My son is in kindergarten and is celebrating valentines day tomorrow. They all dress up and pass out valentines to their classmates. Every year I try to find something unique that gives the kids a toy or surprise that is fun and my son really like these. They each come with a little box (to write too and from on the outside). Inside are all the peices to make a mini airplane and there are a few different colors and plane patterns the box comes with. They wont stay intact forever but they are such a fun little surprise and I know his classmates will get a kick out of." —Jason & Stefanie
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $24.69.
11. And a pack of parachute toys ingeniously designed not to tangle despite being tossed excitedly from the top of the stairs, a balcony, or on the playground (sorry teachers!) over and over.
Amazon, amazon.com
Promising review: "Best parachute men we've ever bought! The parachute is a silky cloth, not plastic, or paper so it floats really well. Nothing ever tangles on these and I was super glad I found them in time for Easter! I'm considering buying more as part of party favors for the kids." —JSW
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $8.99.
12. A gamer controller eraser with personalized card reviewers swear will get older kids ~actually~ excited to hand out Valentines (without feeling uncool).
Fantasy Moon Prints / Etsy
Fantasy Moon Prints is a small biz based inPlainfield, Illinois, owned by a mom, that specializes inpersonalized signs, goodies, and magical furbaby gifts.
To personalize, please enter the child's name in the box.
Promising review: "What a perfect and useful Valentine for a 7-year-old boy! I ordered the game controllers and they came out perfect. Patty was great to work with! She helped ensure my order was here in time so they could “quarantine” for the week before being exchanged in school. I would highly recommend!" —Kelly LaVallee
Shipping Info:Processing time is seven to eight days and orders ship from Illinois, so delivery time varies by your location.
Get it fromFantasy Moon Prints on Etsy for $2.30+ (available in five assembly options and five favor choices).
13. A pack of mini bubble wands that go hand in hand with lovey-dovey animal valentines because what kid won't be ~blown away~ by these?
amazon.com, Amazon
The value pack includes includes 32 Valentine’s day cards and 32 mini bubble wands.
Promising review: "My son is almost 4 and I wanted a nice set of valentines with a gift. I love how these came with bubbles instead of traditional candy. Most toddlers love bubbles and they came in a big enough set that I only needed one for his class. Note: they do have to be assembled. The bubbles attach to the cards with gold bread ties. I watched my favorite show on tv and my husband and I assembled together, took no time at all." —Layla Simons
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 32 from Amazon for $8.99.
14. A pack of light up spinning bracelets for making fidgety wee ones shriek with delight.
Amazon
Promising review: "These are perfect for a partyfavor! They fit a variety of ages, I used them on kids ages 5-11 and they all loved them! They light up and are fun to spin!" —Rachel R.
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 14 from Amazon for $15.99.
15. A pack of smiley, palm-sized heart stress balls that'll make it impossible not to have Pharrell's 🎶 Happy 🎶 stuck in any child's head while they squeeze to their hearts' content.
Amazon
Promising review: "The little hearts are perfect for my daughter's 4th grade class for Valentines Day. With all the stress of covid. They can all squeeze the stress away." —Amanda Scanlon
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of 12 for $9.99.
16. A personalized dinosaur valentine to cement your dino-obsessed kid's status as the most ~rawr-some~ gift giver ever.
Inky Rose Design / Etsy
Inky Rose Design is a small biz based in Chicago that specializes in invitations. chalkboard signs, party supplies and t-shirts.
To personalize, please enter the child's name in the box.
Promising review: "Rose did a great job on these; they are perfect for my son’s Valentine’s Day little party at school. They are beautifully packaged and she makes good on the rush shipping option. Love them!!! Worth every cent!!" —karalm4
Promising review: "These are precious and perfect. Literally flawless. I love that all the dinosaurs are different colors and different types. The seller is so kind and lovely I would absolutely recommend and shop again. Also the packaging was thoughtful and a nice bright spot in an otherwise bleak day. So happy with this purchase!" —W L
Shipping Info: Processing time is six to seven days and orders ship from Illinois, so delivery time varies by your location.
Get it from Inky Rose Design on Etsy for $1+ (available either fully assembled or DIY, with cards only, no toys, and in larger quantities).
17. A pack of Lucky Fortune collectible bracelets that comes with four individually wrapped fortune cookies. Crack 'em open to reveal an adjustable surprise bracelet with a charm and a paper fortune. Who wouldn't feel lucky to be your mini-me's valentine?
Amazon, amazon.com
Each package contains a fortune cookie shaped bracelet holder with a surprise Lucky Fortune charm bracelet and matching paper fortune. This pack includes four cookies and four bracelets.
Promising review: "Daughter loved the bracelets and I personally think they’re one of the best blind box items I’ve ever seen. So much is just plastic junk but this is well-designed and may actually be worn and used for a long time!" —Andrew L.
Promising review: "100% worth the buy! My daughter loved these! The presentation from the beginning to end makes the perfect gift! My daughter got the Ultra Rare on opening her first one! She was so excited she couldn’t even take it! The price is right, the cookie part you can close back up and reuse. I thought you had to throw that part away and I’m happy I was wrong about that. If you're not sure on buying these just do it! My daughter was SO happy and thanked me all day long! Thank you!" —Kindle Customer
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $4.99.
18. A pack of scratch-off Valentine's Day cards so your little one can handwrite a message, then cover it with the scratch-off sticker provided! Scratching the "screen" will magically reveal their hidden note to their classmates. ❤️
Inklings Paperie / Etsy
Inklings Paperie is a Michigan-based small biz specializing in scratch off cards and adorable paper party favors.
Promising review: "Got these for my students for Valentine’s Day. They loved them! So easy to put together and worked great!"—Jennifer Gaines
Shipping Info:Processing time is three to five days and orders ship from Michigan, so delivery time varies by your location.
Get a pack of six from Inklings Paperie on Etsy for $9+ (available with or without envelopes and in larger quantities).
19. A Peanuts-themed chocolate gift box because kids love Snoopy & Co. and chocolate. Each bar comes wrapped in an adorable Charlie Brown design with the phrases "Be My Valentine" or "You Are So Loved." They'll be delighted to bring this ~heartwarming~ candy bundle on Valentine's Day.
Amazon
Each box comes with five chocolate flavors: Almond, caramel, toffee pretzel, milk, and dark.
Promising review: "So cute!💜 Perfect for Peanuts fans out there! These chocolate bars are delicious. They come packaged very nicely which makes them great for a gift.🎁 Each bar is in a colorful wrapper with a different Peanuts character on it. I love the variety of the different chocolate bars. There is something for everyone — milk and dark chocolate, dark almond and milk toffee pretzel. My favorite is the toffee bar! I need more to give as gifts." —Jenn Butterfield
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a box of five chocolates from Amazon for $14.99.
20. A pack of Crayola Globblesdesigned for squishing and rolling — but don't worry, these won't leave residue behind. They're great for kids of all ages!
Promising review: "Amazing toys! My 1- and 2-year-old LOVE them! They scream 'sticky balls!' and run around throwing them on the fridge, windows, cabinets, walls, etc. Easy to wash and air-dry, and don't lose their stickiness! My new go-to gift! Love them!" —Rachel
Shipping Info:Available onAmazon Primewith 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $11.74.
21. Light saber chopsticks so everyone in class can enjoy sushi ~in a galaxy far, far away~. These babies glow and grip well on sushi and noodles, making their next lunch break a super fun and mess-free experience.
amazon.com, Emma Lord/BuzzFeed
My colleague Emma owns these and said, "I love them to pieces, TBH, I use them as decor every bit as much as I use them to eat." Read more of her lightsaber chopsticks review.
Promising review: "Bought these for a white elephant and everyone loved them! My friends are huge Star Wars fans and absolutely love these chopsticks. Great color quality and great LED light quality. They're well made, easy to clean, and a nice weight! Would recommend for sure, very fun and cute gift!" —Nik
Shipping Info: Available on Amazon Prime with 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get it from Amazon for $10.98+ (available in 11 colors and multi-packs).
22. A dozen squishy cat stress toys practically made to be class party favors. If I received one of these cuties on Valentine's Day, I would be so excited!
Amazon
Promising review: "These are weirdly delightful! I put them in stockings and inpartyfavorbags and both small children and adults couldn't stop playing with them." —Kindle Customer
Shipping Info:Available onAmazon Primewith 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get the set of 12 from Amazon for$8.99.
23. And apack of stretchy fidget noodlesthat'll be helpful *and* fun to play with — you can order these in bulk and add them to Valentine's Day goody bags!
Amazon
Promising review: "I got these for a goodie bag for my daughter's first birthday. All the other kiddies loved them and kept them occupied for a little."—Jordan Machemer
Shipping Info:Available onAmazon Primewith 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get a pack of five from Amazon for $12.99.
24. Maya's Cookies, because you can't go wrong with softly-baked cookies for a Valentine's Day treat. They're vegan, available in yummy flavors like Double Chocolate Chunk and Birthday Cake, and packaged in pretty tins. 🍪
Maya's Cookies
There are also gluten-free options available for select flavors.
Maya's Cookies is Black woman-owned business known for their delicious vegan cookies. Each cookie is baked to perfection with plant-based ingredients (no eggs, dairy, and animal products) and customers love the variety of flavors spanning from Classic Chocolate Chip to their Famous "Everything" Cookie, which has chocolate chips, pretzels, oatmeal, pecans, caramel chips, *and* marshmallows.
Shipping Info: All orders received after 12 pm Wednesday (PST) are shipped out the following week. Once your order ships, average delivery times are 2-5 business days depending on your location.
Get them from Maya's Cookies: the Double Chocolate Chunk box for $28 (left; comes with six cookies) and the Birthday Cake box for $28 (right; includes six cookies).
25. Or! A Baked by Melissa Valentine's Day gift box for an easy and cute class treat: They'll love sampling 25 bite-sized cupcakes including Dark Chocolate, Red Velvet, and more flavors when you surprise them with this adorable assortment.
Baked by Melissa
There are also gluten-free and vegan options available, making it a perf gift for anyone who loves cupcakes.
Shipping Info: Standard, expedited, and priority shipping are available for orders.
Get 25 cupcakes from Baked by Melissa for $47+ (available in five assortments).
26. A set of glow-in-the-dark dinosaur decalsthat'll make everyone say "woah!" the minute they receive them. These may not be candy, but why not switch it up and hand out a cool decor gift instead?
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Got these for the grandsons because they are in that 'love everything dinosaur' stage. They are considerably more substantial than I expected and this makes removal easy. Pretty sure they'll love these stocking stuffers. And if not, grandfathers sometimes like dinosaurs too." —Edward R. Woods
Shipping Info:Available onAmazon Primewith 2-day shipping, non-Prime shipping options will arrive by Valentine's Day.
Get it from Amazon for $14.97+(available in three styles).
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
