Seasonal art for kids

11 Valentine Sensory Bin Ideas for Kids

January 6, 2024

Here’s our roundup of Valentine sensory bin ideas for kids that are too cute not to play with!

Updated December 2023

Sensory play is so important for kids (whether naturally in nature) or in a play setup like a sensory bin. And what a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with these adorable, colorful sensory play set ups?

Some are messy, many are not. Our advice: keep it in the bin! Put a tablecloth or sheet underneath your bin or sensory table to help with a quick cleanup. And then, let your kids play!

If you’ve got a school age child, check out the fizzy love potions or have your child whip up a batch of aquafaba for science in action.

Valentine Sensory Bin Ideas

chickpeas and hearts sensory play — Photo by Rachel Withers

1. Hearts + Chickpeas

This is a bin we pull out year after year. It can be a sorting station, a pretend bakery, or add toys for a seasonal play bin.

2. Aquafaba for Valentine’s Day

Fluffy and light, aquafaba is taste-safe, making it a wonderful sensory play material for babies and toddlers. My kids like to create bakery set ups and scoop it into tins and silicone muffin liners.

painting ice hearts — Photo by Rachel Withers

3. Painted Ice Hearts

Use a silicone mold to create large heart ice cubes. Set out a watercolor palette and let kids get to work!

Valentine_Cloud_Dough_Preschool_Mama — Photo by Preschool Mama

4. Cloud Dough Hearts

Cloud dough is such a hit with kids and this colorful heart version is just perfect for Valentine’s Day.

hearts water play valentine sensory bin by redviolet studio — Photo by Redviolet Studio

5. All the Hearts Water Play

Catalina has so many wonderful sensory play ideas for young kids from her art play classes in Miami. If you need some inspiration, she’s got it!

6. Playdough Heart Bakery

When is a playdough bakery more fun than at Valentine’s Day?! Mix up some quick and easy homemade playdough, then set out what you have at home. We especially like heart rhinestones, candles, bakery tins, cookie cutters, silicone muffin liners and rolling pins.

rice-and-hearts_corinne-ashleyy — Photo @corrinne.ashleyy

7. Scoop the Hearts

This sweet bin will keep kids buys scooping and sorting all those hearts!

8. Valentine Oobleck

Add hearts, gems, pearls, or whatever you may have around your house to a bin of colorful oobleck. Let kids explore and dig for treasure!

9. Love Potions Station

Baking soda + vinegar experiments never disappoint. Add a seasonal spin with colored vinegar and mix-ins.

rainbow rice tray — Photo by Andrea Martelle

10. Rice tray + Hearts

Add hearts to your bin of rainbow rice for a quick and easy Valentine sensory bin for kids.

flower water play bin — Photo by Rachel Withers

11. Flower Station

Set out kids’ scissors, flowers and herbs for a cutting station that transforms into a tea station as well.

More Valentines Activities for Kids

Want even more creative ideas?

Check out our Hearts Activities pack!

We think you’re going to LOVE this sweet collection of adorable heart activities! This 32-page printable eBook is full of coloring pages, drawing prompts, games, and more!

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preschool classroom, Valentine's Day

Rachel Withers

Rachel is the Editorial Manager at The Artful Parent. She is passionate about engaging with kids through art, whether at art groups or through teaching photography at a local elementary school. Rachel lives in Portland, Maine, and loves going on adventures with her family. As a mother of two young kids, she is excited to explore how nature, art, and play combine in a child’s learning and development. Creating art with her kids and hosting a toddler art group are current highlights.

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