17 Valentine's Day Gifts for Kids Under $10

I love chocolate, so I don’t have beef with Valentine’s Day. But I have plenty of friends who find the holiday to be a bummer. Either they’re single and then, ugh, it seems as if everyone else is coupled, or they’re in a relationship and their expectations for February 14 are sky-high and likely not to be quite as fabulous as they hope.

Once you have kids, though, Valentine’s Day becomes delightful in an entirely different, more low-key way. I’m talking baking, helping your children write cards for their classmates and, yes, always and forever, chocolate. Want to give your mini sweetheart a little something? Here are 17 presents under $10.

How clever is this? A Valentine I Love You Magic Bean Kit ($3.75 at Lillian Vernon) grows magic beans that say, “I Love You.”

Heart Crayons ($8.95 for a set of five at Etsy) are lovely for sweet scribbling.

The Canvas Wall Art Love kit ($9.99 at Alex Toys) includes everything they need to make like Robert Indiana.

Foxes are still saying stuff in 2015. This Lovable Fox Stuffed Animal declares, “Kiss Me Quick” ($9.95 at Hallmark).

Hot Pink Holographic Tumbler ($9.95 at Etsy) for love with every sip.

Just another boring card? Think again! These Valentine Cookie Cutter Gift Cards ($6.25 for 12 at Oriental Trading) contain a recipe and actual cookie cutter attached for a memorable, affordable present for all the kids in your family.

My kid saves all of her cards in a big cardboard box shoved under her bed, where it collects dust. This Mini Backpack Valentine Card Holder (on sale for $9.99 at PersonalCreations.com) is a much better option.

Want to give your MasterChef Junior the best gift of all? Permission to cook! He can bake for everyone he loves with the Valentine Stamp Cookie Cutter Set ($9.95 at Williams-Sonoma).

Now this is brilliant. The Sweet Talks Rubiks Cube ($7.95 at Elizabeth’s Embellishments) puts an adorable twist on an otherwise familiar game.

Fill this Valentine’s Day Round Cookie Tin ($4 at Target) with candy or cookies, and then they can reuse it for Legos, 90 bazillion Rainbow Loom bands or anything else.

Sometimes, simplest is bestest: 18-inch Red Foil Heart Balloon ($1.49 at Walmart).

You can write the first message, and then their new Etch a Sketch Wipey Board ($5.99 at Perpetual Kid) will keep them entertained for a long time.

A bag of Red M&Ms ($6.99 at My M&M’s) can be summed up with one word: yum.

So they’re the practical type. Hello, fire-engine red Mini CREE LED Flashlight Torch ($4.39 at Amazon)!

Sure, a Customized (Love-Themed) Pacifier ($9.99 at BooginHead) is silly, but c’mon, how can you resist?

Raise your hand if you know anyone who doesn’t need a Gummy Bear Light Keychain ($5.95 at High Fashion Home).

Banish chapped lips the cute way, otherwise known as with Eos Smooth Lip Balm Sphere in Strawberry Sorbet ($3.29 at Drugstore.com).