A Simple & Sweet Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin for Your Classroom

Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to add a quick sensory bin to your classroom routine. It’s one of those holidays that feels fun and exciting for kids without requiring you to reinvent the wheel. I like to make the day feel special, and if I’m feeling ambitious, I’ll sprinkle in a few themed activities throughout the week. A sensory bin is one of my favorite go-to options because it’s low prep, low stress, and the kids absolutely love it!

Choosing a Base Material

For this bin, I used pre-colored rice in shades of pink and white. Yes, I could dye rice at home, but if I can find it already made… why wouldn’t I save myself the time? I am all about quick wins where I can get them! The kids love the feeling of the rice as they scoop and dig through it, and the sound alone seems to keep them engaged. I also try to switch up my base materials each time (rice, paper shred, beans, etc.) so the novelty stays alive.

Adding Tools & Loose Parts

Next, I found an adorable Valentine’s-themed sensory kit on Amazon that came with everything I needed. If you’d rather build your own, it’s super easy. Just grab:

• Pom poms in red, pink, and white

• Large tweezers or scoops

• Small spoons (a great budget alternative!)

• Little containers for sorting

I love using silicone cupcake liners as sorting cups. They’re cute, washable, and the perfect size for tiny hands.

Optional Add-Ins for Extra Fun

If you want to take the bin up a notch, add little Valentine’s Day critters or trinkets. Mini ducks, hearts, or erasers work great. I’m telling you—kids go wild for this stuff!

A Valentine’s sensory bin is simple, fast to assemble, and brings so much joy to the classroom. It’s hands-on, calming, and a great way to let students explore and play during an already exciting holiday week.