Have fun exploring these fun sensory play ideas in the lead up to Valentine’s Day – there’s playdough, slime, floam, putty, rice play and more! Featuring hearts, reds, pinks, even chocolate(!), there is no doubt there’s some serious Valentine’s Day inspiration here!
Sensory play is fabulous for developing connections within the brain (you can read more about these benefits in our great big round up of sensory play), supporting the development of oral language, fine motor and social skills. While your preschooler or kindergartener will LOVE these ideas, sensory play is super for bigger kids too (stick to edible play ideas for toddlers) and it’s particularly helpful as a tool when children are feeling anxious, upset or even bored!
The ideas included in this list use simple, household supplies to make, with many taking only minutes to set up.
21 Valentine’s Day Sensory Play Ideas
Delightful Rose Scented Playdough
Valentine Water Bead Play – Where Imagination Grows
Valentine Hearts Rice Play – Powerful Mothering
Frozen Sensory Dough – Natural Beach Living
Marbled Valentine Playdough – Fireflies and Mud Pies
Strawberry Shortcake Valentine Playdough – Glued to My Crafts
Valentine Heart Chocolate Playdough – Pre-K Pages
Pink Glitter Valentine Slime – Pre-School Powol Packets
Red Hots Playdough – I Can Teach My Child
Clear Hearts Valentine Slime – As the Bunny Hops
Pretty Pink Sensory Bin – Life Over Cs
Super Soft Valentine Bin – Fantastic Fun and Learning
Valentine’s Day Glitter Slime – The Farm Girl Gabs
Valentine’s Day Fluffy Slime – Little Bins For Little Hands
Edible Chocolate Slime – The Soccer Mom Blog
Valentine’s Day Soup – Fun at Home with Kids
Falling Hearts Sensory Bottle – Rhythms of Play
Glittery Heart Sensory Bottle – Fun a Day
Valentines Sensory Jars – Fun Littles
Fizzy Valentines Science – Your Modern Family
For even more sensory fun, check out our collection of 55 ideas for sensory bins, sensory bottles or our 31 Days of Sensory Play Ideas – kid approved!
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
