10 Cute Valentine's Ideas for the Classroom That Aren't Candy

Candy-free Valentine's that are still plenty sweet.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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With Valentine's Day just around the corner, Seattle Refined has compiled a list of 10 candy-free Valentine's ideas that are perfect for the classroom. The list includes a variety of toys, games, and other small gifts that are sure to delight students without contributing to the sugar rush.

Why it matters

Many schools have requested that parents avoid sending candy for Valentine's Day celebrations, so these candy-free options provide a thoughtful alternative that still allows students to participate in the holiday. The items on the list are affordable, practical, and align with the spirit of Valentine's Day.

The details

The 10 candy-free Valentine's ideas include heart-shaped sticky toys, heart squeeze balls, robot fidget spinners, finger lights, tic-tac-toe games, pop fidgets, Valentine's cards with gems, crazy straws with Valentine's cards, insect building blocks, and butterfly bubbles. The items range in price from $11.99 to $45.99 and can be purchased in packs of 24 to 36 to accommodate an entire classroom.

  • Valentine's Day is on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Seattle Refined

A lifestyle publication that provides shopping guides and other content for the Seattle area.

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What’s next

With Valentine's Day just a few days away, parents and teachers should act quickly to order any of these candy-free classroom gifts in time for the holiday.

The takeaway

These candy-free Valentine's ideas offer a thoughtful and practical alternative for schools that have requested no candy, allowing students to celebrate the holiday without contributing to the sugar rush.