Yessss! The season of LOVE has officially arrived! We absolutely adore Valentine’s Day and all the affection that comes with it! We also enjoy changing up our crafts after the Christmas season .. so if you enjoyed our Christmas Origami Gnomes, take a look at how adorable they become as Valentine’s Origami Gnomes! I love that you can write little notes on the back and give them as sweet Gnome Valentine’s Day Cards!
Origami is suitable for everybody. Even preschool children can give it a try. In fact, this simple origami activity is an excellent Origami Project for preschoolers and beginners because the instructions are fairly straightforward and easy to recall.
One thing I love about origami is that you don’t need a printable pattern to enjoy it! Any paper works!
Want more Valentine’s Gnome Crafts – take a look at:
Valentine’s Origami Gnome Ideas
These tiny paper gnomes are incredibly quick and simple to create, so you can make plenty of them.. you can
- use them as gift labels on presents
- place them on the front of a Valentine’s greeting card
- attach two back to back to create a small origami ornament for a Valentine’s tree, or join 3 paper gnomes together to create a 3d Gnome Ornament (see image below)
- create an entire collection, fasten them to ribbon or baker’s twine and make a Valentine’s garland
- use them as cheerful little Valentine notes to hide around the house or tuck into a lunchbox (write on the gnome’s back or invite the recipient to unfold it to reveal a secret message)
One small paper gnome craft.. and countless possibilities!! Woohoo.
Best Valentines Day Gnome Puns
Gnomes are a charming Valentine’s Day theme for children of every age. Here are some adorable Gnome Puns to pair with your Valentine Gnome Craft:
- Gnome-body loves you quite like I do!
- I love you Gnome matter what!
- You Gnome me really well.
- Will you be my Gnomie
- Be my gnomie
- You are my favourite gnomie
- I am your Gnome #1 Fan
- I gnome you
- Gnomies forever
Make an origami gnome – supplies:
The materials for this craft are straightforward – simple paper crafts are our favourite!
- a square sheet of paper* (any measurement works; I actually used leftover paper cuttings, although 15 cm x 15 cm is a good starting size)
- colouring pencils, markers or pens, or even paints! In Valentine’s Day shades
- optional – a small piece of tape or a glue stick to hold the back in place, though it is not essential!
* we used printer paper – this origami project does not require special craft paper or origami paper! But if you have some pretty Valentine’s Paper, feel free to use it too!
We also offer a very useful one-page worksheet that you can download from the Teacher’s Pay Teacher’s store. Purchasing this worksheet makes a small contribution toward maintaining this blog AND provides you with a convenient one-page guide for use at home or in the classroom (and as an extra bonus, the worksheet is ad free!).
How to make an Origami Gnome for Valentine’s Day
This very easy origami activity centres on the triangle shape. It also makes a lovely little craft for practising symmetry and shapes in the classroom.
You can watch the video tutorial on auto play (which features our Christmas Origami Gnome designs), or use the straightforward step-by-step photo directions below!
Start by creating a few guide folds
I AM using red and white origami paper in the step photos – simply so it is easy for you to see when and where to turn the paper… BUT, you should make these using ordinary white paper, since you will be decorating them for Valentine’s!
As noted – a useful one-page (Christmas themed) printable can be found here (and it is ad free too!)
First, make a single guide fold. Turn the square sheet of paper 90 degrees so that a diamond shape is positioned in front of you.
Bring the bottom point upward until it touches the top point. Press down to form a clean crease. You should now see a triangle in front of you.
Open it back up.
The paper should once again be square, with a diagonal crease across it.
Forming the gnome’s hat
Turn the square piece of paper so the crease extends vertically in front of you.
Bring the left corner inward, matching its edges to the centre line.
Do the same thing with the right corner.
A kite-like shape should now be positioned in front of you.
Fold the kite’s longer point across until it reaches the opposite tip, then press down to create a tidy crease.
Creating the gnome’s beard
Turn the origami over and rotate it until the straight edge rests at the bottom.
Bring the upper corner downward, stopping just before it reaches the bottom edge.
Press along the fold to form a clean crease. This creates the foundation for the gnome’s beard.
Add one more narrow fold, only a few mm in width, to create the brim of Santa’s or the gnome’s hat.
Completing the origami gnome shape/ triangle
Turn the origami piece over once more.
Fold the right side across, then smooth it down to make a crisp edge.
Do the same on the left-hand side.
Turn it back over to reveal your simple origami gnome! Of course, white paper will produce a white gnome shape.
Decorate your gnome for Valentine’s Day!
Your little paper gnome is ready for personalising. As noted, you can create any style of dressed-up gnome by decorating it with pens in different colours.. Alternatively, it can quickly become an Origami Valentine’s Gnome.
For the Diy Valentine Gnomes:
SELECT VALENTINE’S DAY COLOURS (see below). We especially enjoyed lilac, pale blue, pink and red shades. Experiment with different designs. Try striped hats, spotted hats or solid-colour hats. You could also draw one big heart or several tiny hearts. Stickers and assorted pens work well too. Decorating is one of the best parts of this “doodle craft”.
To make things easier, I open out each section while adding the gnome’s nose or colouring the beard. However, unfolding it is not essential.
Optional: accessories for your Valentine’s gnomes
Finish by attaching a few small paper hearts to the gnome’s hat or “heart.”
Valentine’s Origami Paper is also a lovely choice!
As mentioned earlier, this simple Valentine’s Origami Gnome can be used in many creative ways!
Add cheerful Valentine’s Gnome puns, decorations and accessories to your Valentine’s cards if you like!
If you are feeling romantic and would like to discover more lovely Valentine’s Day card-making ideas, try these:
Find additional Valentine’s Day crafts for kids here:
