8 Best Valentine’s Day Sensory Activities
Our favorite Valentine’s Day Sensory Activities for toddlers, preschoolers, and older kids. Includes sensory bins, play doughs, slimes, jello & more!
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and love is in the air! If you’re anything like me, you’re probably busy planning cute crafts, baking heart-shaped goodies, and trying to keep your little ones entertained. Sound familiar? Well, don’t forget to add some fun sensory activities into the mix—they’re perfect for keeping kids engaged (and learning)!
Whether you’ve got toddlers, preschoolers, or older kids, Valentine’s Day sensory activities are a sweet way to channel all that festive energy into something creative and hands-on. Plus, who doesn’t love a little heart-themed fun? Get ready to embrace the mess, enjoy the giggles, and soak up those memory-making moments!
And here’s the best part—it doesn’t have to cost a fortune or involve a trip to a fancy craft store. Most of what you’ll need can be found right in your pantry or at the dollar store. Talk about a win-win!
Exciting Valentine’s Day Sensory Activities for Kids
I’ve put together a list of our favorite Valentine’s Day sensory activities. Whether your little ones are into slime, play dough, sensory bins, or Jello, these love-filled ideas are sure to bring the festive fun. So grab some heart-shaped cookie cutters, red and pink glitter, and get ready for these activities all about celebrating love and creativity!
1. Edible Valentine’s Day Play Dough
This Edible Valentine’s Day Play Dough is the ultimate activity for little hands and make with only 2 ingredients, frosting and powdered sugar! It’s soft, squishy, and totally edible—perfect for curious kiddos who still taste everything.
2. Glitter & Hearts Valentine’s Day Slime
This Glitter & Hearts Valentine’s Day Slime is so fun and sparkly! It’s stretchy, gooey, and packed with sparkly glitter and heart confetti. It’s so fun to squish and stretch. A sensory experience that screams Valentine’s magic.
3. Valentine’s Day Taste-Safe Fizzy Hearts Ice Cubes
These Taste-Safe Fizzy Hearts Ice Cubes are like a science experiment and sensory activity in one. Watching them fizz and dissolve in vinegar is awesome!
4. Valentine’s Day Colored Rice Sensory Bin
Bright pinks and reds make this Valentine’s Day Colored Rice Sensory Bin feel like a Valentine’s Day party! It’s perfect for scooping, pouring, and even hiding little themed treasures. Your kids will be digging into this for hours.
5. Edible Valentine’s Day Moon Dough
This Valentine’s Day Moon Dough is soft, crumbly, and so fun to squish! This Valentine’s version is not only pretty in pink but also make with only 2 taste safe ingredients, flour and oil.
6. Valentine’s Day Jello Sensory Bin
Get ready for some messy play fun with this wiggly, giggly Valentine’s Day Jello Sensory Bin! Your little ones will have a blast digging for Valentine’s themed trinkets and toys buried in the Jello.
7. Valentine’s Day Chickpea Foam
Fluffy, squishy, and a little unexpected, Valentine’s Day Chickpea Foam is awesome sensory play for even the littlest Valentines. It’s all the fun of messy play without any sticky cleanup!
8. Valentine’s Day Fluffy Slime
This Valentine’s Day Fluffy Slime is like holding a cloud in your hands! It’s stretchy, soft, and light, making it extra fun to squish. Add some pink food coloring and glitter, and you’ve got a sensory experience full of Valentine’s cheer.
Why Sensory Play is Perfect for Valentine’s Day
Sensory play activities during Valentine’s Day aren’t just about fun (though they are totally fun). They’re also a fantastic way to support your child’s emotional, social, and cognitive development all while basking in the heart filled excitement of the holiday. Let’s break down why sensory play is such a great fit for Valentine’s Day.
Emotional Development
Sensory play gives kids a safe, engaging way to explore and express their emotions. Valentine’s Day is all about love and connection, but for little ones, the extra attention and new experiences can sometimes be overwhelming. Sensory activities offer a calming space where kids can regulate their emotions and feel more grounded.
Social Skills
Whether your kids are sharing a sensory bin, taking turns with a slime recipe, or creating Valentine’s Day cards with textured materials, sensory play fosters social interaction. These activities naturally encourage teamwork, cooperation, and communication all wrapped up in festive fun.
Language Development
Exploring different textures, colors, and materials gives kids a chance to build their language skills. Sensory Valentine’s Day activities introduce new descriptive words like “fluffy,” “squishy,” and “sparkly.” Talking about what they’re doing as they play not only expands their vocabulary but also encourages conversation and connection.
Engaging the 5 Senses
Valentine’s Day sensory activities are all about stimulating those five senses. Whether it’s feeling the soft dough, smelling the sweet scent of rose-scented slime, or seeing the vibrant colors of a heart-themed sensory bin, your kids will be immersed in a multi sensory experience. These activities help build important brain connections that support learning and development.
Calming and Soothing
Let’s be real, holidays can sometimes be overstimulating for kids. But sensory play has this ability to keep kids calm and focused. Valentine’s Day-themed sensory materials like moon dough, glittery slime, or even scented play dough can help anxious or overstimulated kids feel more grounded. It’s the perfect way to balance all the Valentine’s Day excitement!
Final Thoughts
Sensory Valentine’s Day activities are a fun way to celebrate. But they’re also a meaningful way for kids to explore, learn, and connect with the holiday. From calming their little hearts to sparking creativity, these activities bring so much joy to the day.
So go ahead and embrace the glitter, the mess, and the laughter. These are the moments your kids will remember, and honestly, they’re what make Valentine’s Day truly special.
What are your favorite Valentine’s Day sensory activities? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
