Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples; kids love getting in on the fun too! If you’re looking for the best Valentine’s recipes for kids, you’re in the right place. From delectable cookies and strawberry treats to easy no-bake snacks, there are so many ways to bring a little love into the kitchen. 

Cooking together not only makes the day extra special. It’s also a great way to get kids involved, spark their creativity, and sneak in a little hands-on learning. Studies even show that children who help out in the kitchen are more likely to try new foods. So Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to whip up something cute and tasty. 

Ready to find some kid-approved treats that are simple, fun, and full of love? Let’s dive into the sweetest recipe ideas.

Explore Stress-Free Eating with Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids

More than cards and cupcakes, Valentine’s Day is a chance to get creative in the kitchen. With a little imagination, even the fussiest eaters can be tempted to try something new when it looks festive and fun.

Dr Nick Fuller’s Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids shares loads of clever tricks for making this easier, like playful food games, creative plating, and simple swaps that take the stress out of mealtimes. Mix those ideas with some festive Valentine’s recipes and suddenly you’ve got a day that’s not only fun and tasty, but also good for your child’s health.

Grab your copy of Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids to discover even more ways to make mealtimes stress-free and full of love!

5 Kid-Friendly Valentine’s Recipes

These 5 kid-friendly Valentine’s recipes are simple enough for children to help with, yet fun and festive enough to make the day feel extra special.

Strawberry Chocolate Bark

Sweet, simple and oh-so-pretty, this strawberry chocolate bark makes the perfect Valentine’s Day treat for kids. It’s quick to whip up and only needs a handful of ingredients. Break it into colourful shards and enjoy straight away, or store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Contains Nuts, Snacks, Kid Friendly

Serves 5

Prep Time: 10 minutes (+2hrs refrigeration)

Cooking Time: 0 minutes 

Ingredients

• 1 punnet strawberries
• 3 tablespoons natural 100% peanut butter
• 100g 80% dark chocolate 

Recipe

1. Line a baking tray with baking paper. 

2. Wash the strawberries and pat dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. 

3. Thinly slice the strawberries and arrange the slices in a single layer on the tray. Try to fit the slices as close together as possible so there are no gaps in between. 

4. Place the peanut butter into a small bowl and microwave for 15 second increments until the peanut butter is thin and runny. Spread the peanut butter in a thin layer on top of the strawberries. 

5. Place into the fridge for at least 1 hour to set. 

6. Break the chocolate into small pieces and place into a small bowl. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. 

7. Spread the melted chocolate in a thin layer on top of the peanut butter. It won’t be perfectly even, but ensure that all the strawberries are covered. 

8. Place into the fridge for at least 1 hour until the chocolate is set. 

9. Use a large knife to cut the strawberry bark into roughly 10 square pieces. 

10. Eat immediately and enjoy!

Apple Slice Doughnuts

These apple slice doughnuts are a fresh, fun and healthy twist on a Valentine’s snack. They’re great for after school or as a light treat the whole family can enjoy. For a nut-free option, swap the peanut butter for creamy yoghurt, then let the kids get creative with their toppings. Try granola, sunflower seeds, dark chocolate chips or anything colourful and crunchy you’ve got on hand. 

Type: Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Contains Nuts, Kid Friendly

Makes 10 ‘doughnuts’

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes 

Ingredients

• 2 large pink lady apples
• 3 tablespoons natural 100% peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons of assorted toppings

Recipe

1. Use an apple corer to remove the core of each apple. 

2. Place the apple on its side so that the empty core is parallel to your chopping board. Trim off both ends of the apple, then slice the apple into 5 even slices.  

3. Place the apple slices, cut side facing up onto a flat chopping board or plate. 

4. Spread the top of each slice with peanut butter. 

5. Sprinkle the assorted toppings on top of the peanut butter. 

6. Serve the apple ‘doughnuts’ immediately and enjoy!

Strawberry Banana Santas

These little strawberry banana Santas aren’t just for Christmas. With a Valentine’s twist, they make a super cute and healthy snack for kids. The bright red strawberries and sweet banana slices are perfect for adding a pop of love to your Valentine’s Day spread. They’re quick to assemble, fun for little hands to help with, and just right for festive family snacking. 

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Kid Friendly 

Makes 12

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Cooking Time: 0 minutes 

Ingredients

• 12 medium-sized strawberries
• 1 large banana 
• 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
• 24 black sesame seeds

Recipe

1. Slice the stem/leaves off the strawberries to create a flat base for each strawberry. Make another slice parallel to the base, approximately half a centimetre thick. 

2. Slice the banana into 12 slices, approximately half a centimetre thick. 

3. Place the bottom piece of a strawberry onto a plate. Spread with some cottage cheese to create Santa’s beard. Top with one slice of banana, then the remaining piece of strawberry.  

4. Top each strawberry ‘hat’ with a small dollop of cottage cheese. Arrange two black sesame seeds as ‘eyes’ onto the slice of banana. 

5. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to create 12 Santas.

6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Chocolate Stars

These chocolate stars are a simple yet impressive Valentine’s treat that kids will love helping to make. Swap out the Christmas colours for pinks, reds and whites. Think freeze-dried strawberries, raspberries or even heart-shaped sprinkles. They’re a healthier homemade option, easy to customise with your child’s favourite fillings, and just the thing to add a little sparkle to your Valentine’s Day spread. 

Type: Vegetarian, Kid Friendly 

Makes 12 stars

Prep Time: 10 minutes 

Cooking Time: 0 minutes (+2 hours refrigeration) 

Ingredients

• 1x 12-hole star shaped silicone chocolate mould or ice cube tray
• 1x 200g block dark chocolate
• ½ cup selection of dried fruits and nuts (we chose toasted slivered almonds, pistachios, white chocolate chips and dried cranberries)

Recipe

1. Break up the chocolate into small pieces and place into a heatproof bowl. 

2. Melt the chocolate slowly in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring often, until melted. Alternatively, place the bowl of chocolate over a pot of simmering water and stir often until melted. 

3. Using approximately half of the dried fruit and nut selection, sprinkle each star-shaped hole of the chocolate mould or ice cube tray with your selection of dried fruits and nuts. 

4. Pour enough melted chocolate into each star-shaped hole to cover the fruit and nuts. Sprinkle each star-shaped hole with the remaining fruit and nuts, then top each with the remaining melted chocolate. 

5. Hold the ends of the chocolate mould or ice cube tray and firmly tap onto the bench a few times to release any air bubbles.

6. Place the chocolate tray into the fridge to set for at least 2 hours. Remove the stars from the mould and keep in the fridge until ready to serve, as they will melt quickly. Enjoy! 

Festive Stuffed Strawberries

These stuffed strawberries are a sweet, bite-sized Valentine’s treat that look as good as they taste. Filled with creamy goodness and topped with colourful extras, they’re perfect for adding a pop of red to your Valentine’s Day dessert platter. Swap the green-and-red Christmas look for romantic touches like pink sprinkles, dark chocolate drizzle or crushed freeze-dried berries. Best enjoyed fresh, they’re a fun and tasty way to celebrate love with the kids. 

Type: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Contains Nuts, Snacks, Kid Friendly

Makes 10 strawberries

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 0 minutes 

Ingredients

• 10 medium to large strawberries
• 10 heaped teaspoons cottage cheese
• ¼ cup pistachios, roasted
• 1 tablespoon dried cranberries

Recipe

1. Use a small sharp knife to slice off the top of the strawberry, and to carefully remove the core of the strawberry.

2. Use a small spoon to fill each strawberry with one heaped teaspoon of cottage cheese. 

3. Chop the pistachios and dried cranberries into small pieces. 

4. Sprinkle the stuffed strawberries with the pistachios and cranberries, ensuring that they stick to the cottage cheese. 

5. Arrange the stuffed strawberries on a festive serving platter. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Final Thoughts

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to get a little messy in the kitchen and create sweet memories with your kids. Whether it’s colourful chocolate bark, playful apple slice doughnuts or love-themed stuffed strawberries, these recipes are simple, fun and delicious for the whole family. Cooking together not only makes the day feel special, but it also encourages kids to explore new flavours and enjoy healthy foods in creative ways. So grab your aprons, sprinkle on some love, and make this Valentine’s Day one your little ones will always remember.

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Meet Dr Nick Fuller

My Story

As a father, I know first-hand that raising healthy and happy children is tricky. Children are fussy, particularly at the end of the day when they are shattered. We also live in a society where companies seek to profit from what we feed our kids; incorrect and damaging advice is pushed on us and marketed towards our children, and we have no time.

But with these recipes and resources, you and your children can enjoy simple and well-founded food and lifestyle choices for lifelong health.