Here’s our roundup of Valentine sensory bin ideas for kids that are too cute not to play with!
Updated January 2025
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
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. FYI: you can dye your dried chick peas the same way you would dye rice.
2. Conversation Heart Aquafaba
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. And how sweet do those conversation hearts look in it?
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!
4. Cloud Dough Hearts
Cloud dough is such a hit with kids and this colorful heart version is just perfect for Valentine’s Day. Check out our post on how to make this fun sensory material here.
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.
7. 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!
8. Love Potions Station
Baking soda + vinegar experiments never disappoint. Add a seasonal spin with colored vinegar and mix-ins.
9. Rice Tray + Hearts
Add hearts to your bin of rainbow rice for a quick and easy Valentine sensory bin for kids.
10. 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
- 11 Easy Valentine Crafts for Toddlers
- 12 Homemade Valentines Cards for Kids
- 12 Valentine’s Day Crafts for Kids
- 6 DIY Valentines Decor Ideas
- 25 Valentine’s Day Books for Kids
- How to Decorate Valentine Cookies 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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