This Valentines sensory bin is perfect for Valentine’s Day. Kids will love digging into the bin and scooping! It is super easy to put together.
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My kids love playing with sensory bins and I love making them! My son even asked me if I could make a new bin every week so I am trying to make a few new ones. Sensory bins are a great way for kids to work on their fine motor skills and are also great for just having fun with.
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⭐ A note about this activity
Please note this activity is meant for older children (3+) who no longer put things in their mouths.
⭐ Why you’ll love this activity
This Valentines sensory bin can be as simple or as complex as you want it. You can choose to use items you already have, order some special items, or use items from the dollar store.
⭐ Fun tools for sensory bins
Some fun ideas for sensory bins include:
- Heart shaped cookie cutters
- Measuring cups (we love the ones below that actually represent the sizes)
- Plastic shovel
- Egg carton pieces
Other fun ideas:
- Pompoms
- Funnel
- Heart shaped toys
If you have any other fun ideas for a Valentine’s Day themed sensory bin, I would love to hear from you in the comments below!
⭐ How to dye rice pink and purple
I love dying rice for sensory bins! I used regular white rice, vinegar, and food coloring. You’ll need one cup of rice, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and food coloring.
Mix the rice with the vinegar and food coloring well. Next, set the rice out flat to dry on a parchment paper or wax paper lined baking sheet. I let ours dry overnight. Test the rice’s dryness by using a paper towel, if it comes off clean then the rice is dry.
To make two different pink colors I actually used just a little bit of regular red food coloring (it turned pink on the white rice) and then a neon food coloring to make the more vibrant pink.
You can also dye macaroni or other pasta instead of rice. If you’re worried about your child putting uncooked rice in their mouth, colored cooked spaghetti noodles are also great for bins.
⭐ How long does the rice last?
The rice will last a very long time. Keep it in an airtight container and pull it out when your child wants to play with their bin again. I actually use large tupperware containers for all of our bins for this reason.
⭐ Will it stain hands?
No, but be sure to let your rice dry. I let ours dry overnight then tested it with a paper towel before letting my kids play with it. A dry paper towel should come off clean from the rice.
⭐ How to contain the mess
I like to either set a large tablecloth down and let my kids play or let them play on our porch then use our shop broom to sweep away the mess.
Sensory Bin FAQs
A sensory bin should contain a filler (like rice, beans, sand, shredded paper, pom poms, water, etc) and things like toys, scoops, and measuring cups.
Sensory bins are great for preschoolers (ages 3 to 5).
Danielle
Adorable and perfect for the upcoming holiday!
Two Pink Peonies
Thank you so much. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Nishtha
This is such a creative and cute activity for kids! Agree that Sensory bins are a great way for kids to work on their fine motor skills and for having fun.
Two Pink Peonies
Thank you so much, Nishtha. You’re right that sensory bins are great for fine motor skills. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Jenn
Wow! This is so pretty that I want to play in the sensory bin – I’m sure my kids will love it too.
Two Pink Peonies
Lol, thank you so much Jenn! 🙂