Three "Must-Try" Valentine's Day Sensory Activities: Sensory Play Tutorials

In this BLOG post I will teach you how to make three different Valentine's Day sensory set-ups and share free printable activity cards.

There’s something magical about celebrating the holidays through play, especially when it’s soft, squishy and super engaging!

Whether you’re planning a cozy Valentine's Day activity, an "I Love You" themed sensory party, or just looking to spark a little seasonal wonder, these three simple set‑ups deliver big engagement with minimal prep.

Each one uses easy pantry or household ingredients, and they all invite scooping, squishing, molding, mixing, and imaginative play.

Why you will LOVE these sensory set-ups:

• They are simple to make and only require a few ingredients

• They support fine motor development and provide incredible ways to strengthen fingers and hands

• They provide opportunities to enhance language development (cold, build, smoosh, scoop, crumble etc)

• They encourage independent, creative, hands-on playtime

Check out our E-Book: A Complete Guide to Sensory Play HERE! This Guide was created specifically to provide meaningful sensory-play opportunities for your child or student.  Through those opportunities, they will strengthen fine & gross motor skills, enhance opportunities to develop language & vocabulary & practice important social skills. 

Snow Dough

Materials:

• Cornstarch

• Hair conditioner or lotion

• Purple, red or pink food coloring (optional)

• Mixing cup

• Bowl

• Spoon

• Sensory tray or bowl

• Any tools or trinkets you'd like

Step 1: Measure and pour (1) cup of conditioner or lotion into the bowl.

Step 2: If you are adding food coloring or glitter, mix it in now.

Step 3: Pour in (2) cups of cornstarch.

Step 4: Mix all of the ingredients until fully incorporated. After you mix your dough, it may still look a bit crumbly. Here's where your hands get a workout! Take the mixture out & knead it. The more you squish & squeeze & smoosh the dough, the softer it gets! As all of the ingredients blend together, the dough becomes silky soft, easy to mold & perfect for little hands.

Step 5: Place it on your sensory tray or bowl, add in your favorite tools and trinkets and PLAY!

Do you want a FREE printable activity card for snow dough? Click HERE!

Puffy Paint

Materials:

• White liquid glue

• Shaving cream (foam, not gel)

• White cardstock, construction paper OR cardboard

• Red, pink and/or red food coloring

• Small bowl

• Paintbrush

• Optional: glitter, buttons, pom-poms, gems etc

Step 1: Mix the Puffy. In a bowl, combine equal parts white glue and shaving cream. Gently stir until fully mixed. The texture should be fluffy, not runny.

Step 2: Paint the Heart. Use a paintbrush or spoon to spread the puffy paint onto paper in the shape of a heart, we used an old cardboard box and cut it into a heart shape.

Step 3: Add Texture. Let kids dab and swirl the paint to create a fluffy, bumpy texture. Sprinkle on glitter if desired.

Step 4: Decorate. Add glitter, gems, craft supplies!

Step 5: Dry Time.  Allow the artwork to dry completely (usually a few hours or overnight). The paint will puff up as it dries.

Want a FREE printable Puffy Valentine's Day Paint activity card? Download ours HERE!

I Love You-Bleck

Materials:

• Cornstarch

• Water

• Conversation candy hearts (optional)

• Mixing cup

• Bowl

• Spoon

• Sensory tray or bowl

• Any tools or trinkets you'd like

Step 1: Measure and pour (2) cups of cornstarch into the bowl.

Step 2: If you are adding food coloring or glitter, mix it in now.

Step 3: Pour in (1) cup of water.

Step 4: Mix all of the ingredients until fully incorporated. 

Step 5: Place it on your sensory tray or bowl, add in your favorite tools and trinkets and PLAY!

Make observations as you play:

• How does it smell?

• How does it feel?

• What happens when you add more water to the Oobleck bin?

• What does it look like as it dries?

APFL Tips:

• If you let Oobleck completely dry out and harden, you can store it in an airtight container. The next time you want to use it, simply add water to reactivate!

Do you want a FREE printable activity card for Oobleck? Click HERE!