DIY Paper Heart Wreath – easy Valentine’s Day Craft

This year is all about love! Whether you’re preparing for Valentine’s Day, hosting a cozy family gathering, or simply in the mood to add a little extra love to your home, I’ve got the perfect DIY project for you: a DIY paper heart wreath! It’s a simple, inexpensive, and totally customisable craft that you can make with the kids or during a quiet afternoon when you want a little me-time. 

One of the best things about this DIY paper heart wreath is how easy it is to create. If you’ve got some basic craft supplies on hand, you’re already halfway there. And don’t worry if you’ve never made a wreath before – this one is super forgiving! You don’t need to be a craft expert. A little creativity and a bit of time will lead to something truly special for your home. The heart shapes are a lovely, timeless symbol of love and affection, so whether you’re decorating your front door, living room, or even your kids’ playroom, it’ll instantly brighten up any space.

Another great thing? It’s a project that you can totally personalize! You can go for a classic red-and-pink theme, or get creative with metallics, pastels, or even bold, unexpected colors. Want to incorporate a bit of pattern? Use scrapbook paper, old magazines (like I have done), or newspaper pages to create a fun collage effect. And if you enjoy making things that tell a personal story, you can even use the DIY paper heart wreath as a chance to showcase memories—maybe through photos, hand-drawn notes, or little trinkets. The options are endless!

As mentioned, this DIY paper heart wreath doesn’t require a ton of money or complicated tools. All you need are a few supplies and a bit of free time. It’s also a great way to teach your younger children about crafting, shapes, and working with different textures. Grab your scissors, get cozy, and let’s dive into how you can make your very own paper heart wreath that will add a lovely, homemade touch to your decor.

Supplies You’ll Need for Your DIY Paper Heart Wreath

Before you get started on your DIY paper heart wreath, here’s what you’ll need:

Colourful craft paper or construction paper (Red, pink, white paper, or whatever colour combo you like!)

Scissors

A pencil or pen for tracing

Hot glue gun (or regular glue stick if you don’t have a glue gun)

Wire wreath form (or a circle cut out of a piece of cardboard if you prefer a budget-friendly option)

A piece of ribbon or twine (for hanging your wreath)

Optional embellishments: Stickers, glitter, buttons, or pom poms for extra flair!

How to Make a Heart Shape Out of Craft Paper

Let’s start with the fun part! To create your DIY paper heart wreath, you’ll first need to make a bunch of paper hearts. Here’s how:

Choose your paper. Start with the colours and patterns you love. If you want a simple, classic look, stick to solid reds, pinks, or whites. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try mixing patterns like stripes, polka dots, or even floral designs.

Cut out your shapes. To create our folded hearts, we’ll curve the edges of a stack of small squares. I am starting with a standard sheet of A4 paper, and am cutting it in half twice, to get four A6 pieces. We now cut the shorter edges of our paper to a curve. The outline of the curve will define how rounded the upper parts of your hearts get, so choose as flat or round as you like. 

Fold the paper. To create the hearts, take a piece of your now oval-ish shaped paper. Fold the long edge in an accordion pattern until the whole paper is folded. I made each fold about 1/4 inch wide. 

Glue the hearts. Fold each accordion into half along the long edge. Then glue the two inner edges together. A glue stick is sufficient, but you can use a dab of hot glue of your glue gun is ready. 

Open the hearts. Once the glue has dried, gently pull the outer edges apart to create a nice, full heart shape. 

How to Make a Perfect Heart Shape

If you’re wondering how to get those perfect heart shapes, don’t stress! Crafting should be fun, not stressful. But if you want to make sure your hearts look polished and neat, here are a few tips:

Use a template: As mentioned, folding a piece of paper in half and cutting half a heart is an easy way to get perfectly symmetrical shapes. You can also get free printable heart templates, which can be quite useful.

Use a pencil lightly: If you’re tracing a template, use a pencil first so you can erase any mistakes. Once you’re happy with your shapes, go over them with a pen or marker if needed.

Smooth out the edges: If you cut too quickly or unevenly the first time, don’t be afraid to take a few minutes to trim and smooth out the edges to give the hearts a neat appearance.

How to Style Your Paper Heart Wreath

Now comes the fun part—putting everything together! Styling your DIY paper heart wreath is all about getting the right balance of coulors, shapes, and textures. Here are some simple styling ideas:

Colour blocking: If you’re using multiple colours, group your hearts in blocks of colour (e.g., reds together, pinks together). This gives your wreath a more organized, clean look.

Layering: Try layering your hearts in different sizes. Place the large hearts at the bottom of the wreath and the smaller hearts toward the top for a balanced, three-dimensional effect.

Add something special: For a little extra sparkle, glue on some glitter, sequins, or a pom pom to the top of the heart. You could even add a small photo or handwritten note on a few hearts to make it super personal.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your DIY Paper Heart Wreath

Prepare your heart shapes: Start by creating as many small hearts as you think you’ll need (around 20-30 hearts depending on your wreath size). Follow the instructions listed above.

Attach hearts to the frame: Take your wire wreath base or cardboard circle and begin gluing the hearts onto it. Start with the first heart and overlap the top half of the next heart over the tip of the hear you have just glued on. A small amount of white glue or hot glue will be sufficient. Continue to glue one heart after the other until the whole wreath has been filled.

Add a ribbon for hanging: Once your wreath is looking fabulous, attach a ribbon or twine to the back of the wreath. I usually use hot glue or a straight pin to attach the ribbon. If your wreath is uneven, attach the ribbon to the widest point of the wreath shape. You can tie a simple bow or leave the ribbon hanging loose for a more rustic look.

Finishing touches: Add any finishing touches you like—glitter, stickers, or a bow. 

Hang and enjoy: Hang your DIY paper heart wreath where it can be admired by an audience to spread some love this Valentine’s Day. 

Tips and Tricks for Your DIY Paper Heart Wreath

Don’t overthink it: Your hearts don’t have to be perfect—crafting is all about having fun and being creative. This is the time to embrace uneven shapes, different colour and textures. 

Use double-sided paper: This gives your wreath a more polished look from all angles. 

Get the kids involved: Crafting as a family can be so much fun! Let your younger kids help by picking out paper or arranging the hearts. They’ll love seeing their work come to life on your wreath. Older children might enjoy crafting their own valentine decorations for their bedroom door. 

Go bigger: If you want a larger wreath, just use a bigger frame and more hearts. You can even make multiple smaller wreaths for different rooms.

I’m excited to see how you execute this easy craft. Make sure to leave a picture in the comments!