Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Easy Magnetic Perler Bead Valentines Anyone Can Make (Cute + Kid-Friendly!)
Looking for a cute, affordable, and kid‑friendly Valentine’s Day craft that doesn’t involve candy overload? These easy magnetic Perler bead Valentines that magnetize to Valentines via a SECRET METAL PLATE are fun to make, simple enough for little hands, and double as a keepsake kids can actually use all year long. Perfect for classroom exchanges, playdates, or a cozy craft afternoon at home.
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The Perler magnet is held on by a metal plate
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Why Magnetic Perler Bead Valentines Are a Win
I love Perler Bead projects. I made many Perler bead projects as a kid and I still find it satisfying as an adult. So, this is an adult-friendly craft too! I came up with this magnetic Valentine because I thought about it being a cute craft, but also the magnet can be taken off the Valentine and kept as a gift! It’s an easy Valentine’s Day gift idea!
The secret is in the metal plate!
Perler Bead crafts are:
Easy enough for beginners and kids
Budget‑friendly Valentine idea
Customizable colors, shapes, and messages
Candy‑free Valentine option
Turns into a functional fridge magnet (a functional art keepsake)
See our easy wax seal DIY valentine cards in my tutorial here or via my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
The Perler magnet sticks onto the card via a metal plate
Tips for Crafting with Kids + Mess Solution
If you think they’ll be too messy, place your kiddos (or yourself) sitting at a table, then put down some silicone mats or large plastic trays to catch the beads in case of a spill!
Pre‑sort beads by color to save time
Use mini pegboards for faster results
Make extras in case of ironing mishaps
Turn it into a Valentine craft party activity
I made hearts but you could do other designs
Easy Variations
You can easily adapt these Perler Bead magnets to suit your own creative ideas. You could try the following with your designs:
Spell names or initials for classmates
Use color combinations you like. Never saw a pink cat? Well, make a pink Perler Bead cat head for your craft!
Add googly eyes before magnet attachment
Create themed sets (emoji, hearts, animals, there’s even a Mario set!)
Pair with a non‑candy treat like stickers
My finished craft!
How to Make Magnetic Perler Bead Valentines
Now for the craft! Links go out to either the brand website, Amazon, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, or Temu (code afe55197 gets you 30% off your first order), where we source our supplies based on discounts, budget and pricing.
Check out my 1-minute video tutorial for this project on my TikTok now or coming soon here and to my YouTube channel @carolynjbraden!
Supplies You’ll Need
Perler beads (Valentine colors like pink, red, white, purple, I used a kit I had that had many colors and Amazon has a similar fuse bead kit as mine and Walmart does too, and if you want to make something bigger, they make “biggie beads” too)
Small pegboards (heart, square, or mini shapes work best, my kit came with some, but you can buy them separately via Amazon)
Ironing paper or parchment paper (my kit came with some and it protects your iron from sticking to the beads)
Iron (adult use only)
Self‑adhesive button magnets or magnet strips
Liquid Fusion glue (not necessary, but I knew it’d make the magnets be more permanent)
If attaching to a Valentine, you’ll need the universal metal plate I got on Amazon (which can be attached to anything…think: a perfect spot for a Perler magnet in your car, bedroom wall or anywhere!)
Valentine cards (I used these adorable $6 Hallmark heart cards via Walmart) printables or small treat bags (optional).
Making a Perler bead heart
Step‑by‑Step: How to Make Easy Magnetic Perler Bead Valentines
Step 1: Choose Your Design
Keep it simple! Hearts, XOXO patterns, initials, smiley faces, and mini rainbows are perfect for quick crafting and younger kids. I chose to do a heart outline in one color, then fill it in with a second color for variation. There are many Perler bead craft ideas online AND many kits that give you other ideas you could use.
You can make a heart on a square pegboard too
Step 2: Place the Beads
Have kids (or you!) place Perler beads onto the pegboard following their chosen design. This is a great fine‑motor skill activity and encourages creativity. My kit came with Perler Bead tweezers which made it easier to pick up beads and place on the pegboards.
I used a heart shaped pegboard, but I also created one using a basic square pegboard too. Doing this on an iron/heat friendly surface will help so you don’t have to pick up the pegboards later for ironing.
Use a medium heat setting
Step 3: Iron the Beads (Adult Step)
Place on a heat safe flat surface. Cover the beads gently with ironing paper and gently iron in a circular motion until beads melt together. I used a medium heat setting on my iron with no steam.Let cool completely before removing from the pegboard.
Adding the button magnet
Step 4: Attach the Magnet
Once cooled, stick a self‑adhesive magnet to the back of each Perler bead design. I added a dot of Liquid Fusion glue first to make my magnet more permanent. Press firmly to secure and allow to dry if you used glue.
Peeling off the protective covering on the metal side
Step 5: Package for Valentine’s Day
Peel the protective cover off the magnetic plate (the non-sticky side), place on the back of a small bag or cardstock Valentine and stick your Perler magnet to the front (it’ll magnetize as long as your bag or card isn’t too thick) with a note like:
“Your personality is MAGNET‑ic! Happy Valentine’s Day!”
The finished DIY Valentine
Final Thoughts
These easy magnetic Perler bead Valentines are proof that Valentine’s Day crafts can be simple, creative, and meaningful. Kids love making them, parents love the low mess, and teachers love the candy‑free option (as a former teacher, I know this to be a fact as many kiddos have allergies or the sugar amps them up A LOT!).
Take Action
If you try any of my ideas, let me know how it turned out—or tag me when you try them because I LOVE seeing your posts💚 If you tag me using @carolynsbloomingcreations or @carolynjbraden, I’ll see it! Or tell me about it in the comments below.
If you loved this article, then we know you’ll love this one too: How to Make a Queen of Love Galentine’s Day Tiara
Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.