An Easy Simple Valentines Day Box Idea - R2D2

This year, the teacher tasked my son with a project. The project was to make a Valentine’s Day Box to collect Valentine’s Cards from fellow students at school on Valentine’s Day.

By Charlene DeLoach, Chief Play Officer, Playroom Chronicles

 A quick note: This content was created in partnership with one or more of the brands featured. I may have been paid, received products, or both. Paid or not, I’m still going to tell you what I think because none of us needs another toy our kids won’t play with.

This post was originally published on my other website, but it was published on this website in February 2018. This post was revised in February 2025.

What is a Valentine’s Day Box?

Doing what modern Moms do, I googled what a Valentine’s Day box is! Then, I saw clever ideas – from monsters to movie characters. Pinterest was a hot spot for ideas. You can see some of my pins here for other ideas.

Our Valentine’s Day Box Idea

I shared what I found with my son and let him pick which he wanted to make. He loved the R2D2 Valentine’s Day box that I found from JoysofBoys.com. It was a great choice because it was easy to make and inexpensive.

R2D2 Valentine’s Box

First, I only needed a small/mini, white, flip-top trash can. The Container Store sells them for less than $10. Just look for Umbra Mini Swing Lid Trash Cans. They also have them on Amazon, but they are more expensive. But here is the affiliate link if that is an option. So that was an easy buy. Then I just needed sticky foam sheets. I got a pack on affiliate Amazon for a great price. Just ensure you get the multi-colored pack with black, blue, gray, and red sheets. You’ll have some leftovers, but you’ll also have a stash for future projects.

Once I had all the supplies, it took us just 10 minutes to make. We cut out the various rectangles and squares. We freeformed it. However, I would suggest getting an object for a template. For example, we used a bottle cap to cut out the black circle, and we had a heart eraser that we used for a heart template. We could have used a business card for the rectangle bits and easily found something else for the squares. Just trace it on the back (on the sticky paper side) so you don’t see the tracing lines! However, it was easy to do it alone – even though our cutting lines aren’t straight!

Another Craft Post: A super simple Valentine’s Day Card Craft!

We cut the shapes out first. Then, peel off the sticky back. (Make sure to follow that order!) Then, we pressed the cutouts onto the white trash can in the pattern. We just eyed it from the photograph, and you can too.

Once we were done, I just wrote my son’s name on the bottom, but you could cut out letters to spell out your child’s name on the back for a finishing touch. Otherwise, the R2D2 Valentine’s ‘Box’ was so easy! It got rave reviews at school. My son had a Han Solo swagger with his creation!

My daughter felt slightly left out since her teacher did not order a Valentine’s Box project. However, I got a white trash can and then wrapped this (affiliate) rhinestone ribbon around the whole diameter of the can. I used glue dots to hold it in place. (It is much easier to use and hold on a plastic surface.) Or you can use a (affiliate) sticky spray. I just went row by row down the body of the can. A little time-consuming making sure I got the rows of ribbon straight, but otherwise, she has a bling ‘d-out can that she can use for whatever she wants. Wrap it in red, place it in pink, or alternate! For the top, use sticky foam hearts.

Whether it is toy storage, secret treasures, or a glam trash can, these Valentine’s Day boxes can be used long after Feb. 14!!

Have fun making the projects, and Happy Valentine’s Day!