First there’s Halloween… then Christmas… and just when you think your kids’ bellies have finally detoxed, boom. February 14 rolls around and it’s Valentine’s Day. Well, in recent years there has been a movement among parents and teachers to pivot away from the sugar overload that ruins our kids’ teeth and digestive tracts, and opt for non-candy Valentine ideas instead. And as a parent of a very hyper 9-year-old who has many food allergies and chronic GI issues, I personally am a big fan of the switch. Because as it turns out, we can show our kids how much we love them and they can shower their friends and family members with sweetness in the forms of cute pictures, fun toys, and little trinkets. And none of the Valentine’s Day gifts for kids have to actually include a bunch of sticky sugar.

Related: If you’re too exhausted to deal with Valentine’s Day cards, here’s the solution

What types of things can parents buy as candy alternatives for Valentine’s Day?

Let’s be real here. Most of the cute gadgets and sticker crafts and fidget toys that kids bring home on Valentine’s Day aren’t going to be life-long toys that get passed on to the next generation. This is a day to share our love for one another and maybe have your 3rd grader give their friends a cute keychain or a plastic heart ring or a small bottle of bubbles with a note that reads, “My heart bubbles over for you.” You don’t need to break the bank and buy an expensive gift for every child in your kid’s class. Instead, grab some heart erasers and maybe a few sticker sheets, and you’re probably good to go.

Related: 13 Valentine’s Day coloring pages we absolutely love

Skip the sugar this year and try these non-candy Valentine ideas instead.

Pottery Barn Kids You Are Brilliant Classroom Valentines, Set of 8

Pottery Barn Kids

You Are Brilliant Classroom Valentines Set of 8

$19.50

With a sweet message and a pair of fun glasses that make the world look just a bit groovier, these card and glasses combo are candy and stress free.

Joyin Zoo Animal Valentines

Joyin

Zoo Animal Valentines-28 Pack

$13.99

These pun-perfect card and animal figurine treats are a great choice for the animal-loving kiddos.

Joyin Die-Cast Racing Cars Valentines

Joyin

Die-Cast Racing Cars Valentines

$19.99

If cars are more their thing, these clever Valentines include die-cast race cars to show their friends a little a love.

Peaceable Kingdom Valentine Kid Power

Peaceable Kingdom

Valentine Kid Power Bracelets and Cards- Set of 28

$14.95

Unleash their inner superhero with these comic-inspired slap bracelets. Each one comes with a card that slides right onto the bracelet to make addressing them easy-peasy.

ooly Heart to Heart Stacking Crayons

ooly

24 Heart to Heart Stacking Crayons

$65

Art supplies are always a great idea for classroom treats–and none are more Valentine’s Day appropriate than these 12-piece stackable heart crayons. They’ve got all the colors of the rainbow and then some!

Valentines Day cards 32 count

32-Count Scented Food-Related Valentines Day Cards

$7.99

OK, so if food isn’t allowed for the Valentine’s Day party at school, how about passing out these adorable Valentines that look yummy and smell delicious? These scratch-and-sniff cards and stickers come in all sorts of fun and “sweet” shapes and designs, making them the perfect alternative to candy Valentines. (Full disclosure, the stickers come in a sheet that need to be cut out.)

JOYIN Valentines Straws

Joyin

Valentine's Day Loop Drinking Straws 28-Pack

$19.99

Twisty drinking straws are always a hit—and they’re way more fun than disposable ones. Each colorful design comes with a matching card and are super easy to assemble.

sticker craft sheet

60 Sheets – Valentines Sticker Crafts

$13.99

Kids love stickers and kids love crafts. These individual sticker sheets provide a quick craft activity: Make the face of a fox or a llama or even a gnome! The children’s little hands will be busy for a minute or two and they’ll have a cute creation to take home for the fridge.

26 pieces mini stuffed animal plush set

26-Pack Mini Animal Plush Toy Set

$17.99

Young children tend to love tiny friends (mine certainly do!) so taking home a mini- stuffed animal they can hang from their backpack or keep in their pocket is a super cute non-candy related Valentine’s Day idea. This pack comes with a huge assortment of animals so everyone should get something they love or can trade with friends.

Valentine's Day Mini Notebooks

48-Count Valentines Day Mini-Notepads

$14.99

How about these sweet little Valentines Day notepads? Kids can write each other letters, play tic-tac-toe, or draw pictures to keep their minds active. My kids love taking notepads when we travel or even just go on a walk to write about all the things they see. An easy add to the Valentine’s Day gift pile that won’t go to waste.

Joyin Valentine Bug Rings

Joyin

Valentine Bug Rings

$25.99

With a super cute presentation, these bug rings are destined to be a hit with kids and parents alike.

The Berenstain Bears Funny Valentine book

The Berenstain Bears Funny Valentine

$4.07

Another wonderful candy alternative is a book about Valentine’s Day. This adorable story about The Berenstain Bears also includes two Valentines in the back of the book that the child can cut out and give to a special someone they love.

Other Valentines Day books we adore include “I Love You, Little Pookie” by Sandra Boynton, “Llama, Llama, I Love You” by Anna Dewdney and “Love From The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle.

Natalie Cheng Valentines Day Kids Cups-Set of 6

Natalie Cheng Valentines Day Kids Cups-Set of 6

$16.50

Here’s a fun and eco-friendly idea! Rather than filling a plastic bag with goodies that will end up in a landfill, gift them a cup they can reuse instead. These cute reusable cups come with a lid and paper straw and can be filled with pencils, markers, stickers and a fun keychain to make the perfect gift for kids.

12-Pack Play-Doh

Play-Doh Bright Delights 12-Pack

$6.59

You can’t go wrong with Play-Doh. Provide endless entertainment and spark creativity by gifting kids a container of Play-Doh instead of a sugary pile of candy. Save their teeth and watch their imaginations soar!

Wiki Stix

Wiki Stix-15 packs of 12

$14.25

Wiki Stix are bendable, reusable, and non-toxic. And they don’t make a mess! This imaginative toy is a fun candy alternative that provides endless entertainment. Watch your kids and their friends turn their Wiki Stix into all sorts of shapes and images as they engage in creative play and avoid a tummy ache.

DIY coloring bookmarks

36-Piece DIY Coloring Bookmarks

$6.99

Keep kids busy and foster their love for reading with these bookmarks that they can color themselves. This pack offers 12 different cartoon animal designs, including tigers, lions, dolphin, dinosaurs, owls and rabbits. Whatever color to make each animal is up to the kids!

metallic glitter markers

TWOHANDS Metallic Glitter Markers

$9.99

Bright and fun metallic glitter pens? Yes please. (For adults or kids!) If you’re filling goodie bags for your child’s class, you can toss one or two of these fancy pens in each one and you’ll probably be labeled coolest parent ever.

Oriental Cherry Valentines Day Pop it Keychains

Oriental Cherry

Valentines Day Pop Ball Keychains

$21.99

One thing that will usually get kids just as excited as a sugary snack is a fun toy, and fidget toys like these poppers are a top choice these days. This set comes with 24 pieces, so pass them out and your kids’ friends won’t miss the candy at all.

Heart Smiley Stampers Set

24-Pack Heart Smiley Stampers Set

$18.25

Stamps are another age-appropriate and fun gift idea to offer as an alternative to food this Valentine’s Day. Kids love stamping each other’s hands or adding their stamps to a paper craft. Grab a set like this and you’ll have a stamp for everyone in the class.

Valentines Day pencils

28-Pack Valentines Day Heart Shaped Pencils

$16.99

Why write with a regular pencil when you can write with a cool heart-shaped one? These Valentine’s Day themed pencils are a great alternative gift if candy and chocolate are a no-go. Every kid needs a pencil!

Valentine's Day Shovel

Spring Flower Store

24-Pack Valentine's Day Shovels

$19.99

From playing in the sandbox, to scooping water in the tub, a plastic shovel always comes in handy. These come with stickers and heart-shaped cards to attach and make them a little more special.

Super Hero Masks Scratch Art Valentines

Playhouse Store

Super Hero Masks Scratch Art Valentines

$17.99

With a sweet message on one side and fun scratch art on the other, these superhero masks are creative way to show their classmates some affection.

A version of this story was published December 31, 2022. It has been updated.