A Valentine sensory bin is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with little ones (especially if you don’t want to pack them full of sugar!)
This post is all about Valentine sensory bin ideas that are insanely easy, budget friendly, and quick to throw together!
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Valentine Sensory Bin
Why should you make a Valentine sensory bin?
Sensory activities are not only powerful tools for brain development but they also help kids learn a ton about their world. Sensory bins teach shapes, colors, textures, counting, letters, all while giving your kids a chance to practice their fine motor skills!
How old should your child be to play with these bins?
Sensory bins are great for kids of all ages! Just be sure to avoid any of the bins with small parts if your little one still likes putting things in their mouth. Number 5 is the perfect safe sensory bin if young kids do happen to put things in their mouth!
1. Heart Search & Match
As both a mom and a teacher, I absolutely love this activity! It’s SO EASY to put together and simple to adjust for different ability levels/ages!
What You'll Need:
- Dyed rice
- Heart number printable from Share and Remember (or paper, scissors, and markers to make your own)
- Bin
Source | Share and Remember
2. Fizzing Hearts
What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with a little science! The night before you want to do this activity, combine baking soda and water in ratios that create a paste. Add the food coloring and then scoop it into the heart mold. Put it in the freezer overnight and then watch what happens when you drip vinegar on it in the morning!
What You'll Need:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Food Coloring
- Silicone mold heart tray
- Eyedropper
- Large container
- Water
- Bowl
Source | Toddler at Play
3. Rose Petal Bin
You can opt for real roses if you happen to have rose bushes or grab fake rose petals for this one. You can grab 1000 here on Amazon for under $7!
Then fill your bin with petals and other red items around your home or fill it halfway with petals and add water. Scooping the petals out with a spoon is great fine motor practice!
What You'll Need:
- Rose petals (real or fake)
- Bin
Source | Twin Mom Refreshed
4. Pasta Sensory Bin
I knew you could dye pasta and rice for sensory bins, but I love the idea of dying white beans as well. The best part about this one is that you likely have most of it already in your pantry!
What You'll Need:
- Bin
- Uncooked pasta
- Uncooked rice
- Dry white beans
- Food coloring
- Plastic bags (to dye them in)
- Any add-ins you want (such as conversation hearts, felt hearts, sequins, etc.)
Source | Fork and Beans
5. Cheerio Hearts Bin
If you have a young toddler who still likes to put things in their mouth, using a cereal based sensory bin is an easy way to keep things safe. Dump in the box and then add whatever you would like to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
What You'll Need:
- Heart Cheerios (come back around Valentine’s Day)
- Heart cookie cutters
- Heart ice cube tray
- Measuring cups for scooping and pouring
Source | Engaging Littles
6. Valentine Soup
Pick up some cheap foam shapes from the dollar store or craft store and you can throw this Valentine sensory bin together in seconds! (literally)
What You'll Need:
- Bin
- Measuring cups
- Bowls
- Red, pink, and purple foam shapes
- Serving spoons
Source | Happy Toddler Playtime
7. Chocolate Box Sensory Bin
I think every mom would be happy to make the sacrifice of buying and emptying a chocolate box for their kid’s creativity. We do it all for the children.
What You'll Need:
- An empty chocolate box
- Any small red/pink items that will fit inside (hearts, pom poms, etc.)
Source | Simply Full of Delight
8. Rice Based Sensory BIn
Dying rice red and pink is the perfect base for an easy and free Valentine sensory bin. Wander your home and find any red or pink toys your kids have to throw in or just toss in some measuring cups!
What You'll Need:
- Rice
- Food Coloring
Source | Unknown
9. Sponge Hearts
With a quick trip to the dollar store for sponges, you can easily make this valentine sensory bin. Add a few containers that they can fill by squeezing water into them and you’ll create hours of fun.
What You'll Need:
- Bin
- Red and/or pink sponges
- Optional: Heart confetti
- Water
- Optional: Food coloring
Source | Mrs. Plemon’s Kindergarten
10. Pom Pom Bin
You likely already have tongs and an ice cube tray or two lying around. All you need are some pom poms which come in massive quantities on Amazon super cheap if you want to fill your whole bin with them!
What You'll Need:
- Pom poms
- Ice cube trays
- Tongs
- Optional: Colored rice
Source | Play to Learn Preschool
11. Pool Noodles & Pipe Cleaners
If you have a sensory table with multiple separate bins, cut up pool noodles and pipe cleaners are a super fun addition! They can string the pool noodles on the pipe cleaners or create little balls to roll through them!
What You'll Need:
- Red/white/pink pool noodles
- Scissors
- Pipe cleaners
Source | The Scott Cottage
12. Candy Heart Oobleck
While this activity might get a little messy, this fun spin on oobleck is worth the mess! I do highly recommend using a shower curtain liner or plastic table cloth underneath everything to throw out when your kids are done playing.
What You'll Need:
- Candy conversation hearts
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1-1.5 cups water
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Bin or pan to put it in
Source | Little Bins for Little Hands
13. Frozen Hearts
In the case of this sensory bin, a frozen heart is a good thing. Grab a heart ice cube tray, fill it with red water, and add some tiny beads or toys inside for a super easy heart excavation activity.
What You'll Need:
- Heart ice cube tray
- Red food coloring
- Beads
Source | Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds
14. Shredded Paper
I wanted to guarantee that this last one would be easily doable with whatever you have in your home. Start with some shredded paper and cardboard tubes and then find anything hearts, red, and pink in your home! You might be surprised at just how much fun you have!
What You'll Need:
- Shredded paper
- Cardboard tubes
- Pipe cleaners
- Optional: Heart cookie cutters, pom poms, measuring cups, etc.
Source | The OT Toolbox
This post was all about Valentine sensory bin ideas that are inexpensive, simple, and quick to throw together. These sensory bins are the perfect way to help your toddler celebrate Valentine’s day!
-Beautifully Busy Mom
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Meet the Author
This post was written by Monica, a mom of two and former teacher who loves anything both fun and educational. (and multi sensory is a huge plus!)
