Valentine’s Day Tuff Tray Fun : 20 Sensory Play Ideas for for Creative Play

tuff tray sensory play with puzzles

If you’re looking for a way to make Valentine’s Day extra special yet simple, sensory play is the perfect way to spark their creativity, engage their senses, and make learning fun. In this blog we’re sharing 4 unique sensory bin filler ideas with 20+ Valentine’s ideas for your TUFF TRAY ( also called a PLAYtray, Tuff Spot, Active World Tray) Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, these EASY setups will inspire endless playtime magic!

These ideas and setups were created by Kamilla, an experienced Early Years Educator and the Founder of Learning Through PLAYtrays®. Have questions or want to share your sensory play ideas? Email Kamilla at  Kamilla@playtraylearning.com  —I’d love to hear how you’re using sensory play and get inspired by your creativity! 

Easy Tuff Tray Sensory Bin Fillers (Non-Food Fillers)

Puzzle Pieces – Great for scooping, sorting, and fine motor skills.

Deck of Playing Cards – Perfect for number recognition, sorting, and stacking.

Flowers – Natural textures for arranging, sorting, and creative play.

DIY Pink Sand – Simple to make and ideal for tactile exploration. Learn how to make it at home, scroll down to the end of this blog. 

A Tuff Tray filled with colorful puzzle pieces used as a sensory bin filler for a Valentine’s Day-themed activity

1000-Piece Puzzle Sensory Bin

Using puzzle pieces as a sensory bin filler is a fun and eco-friendly way to create a Valentine’s-themed Tuff Tray .

Why it’s perfect:

  • Encourages fine motor skills as kids scoop, sort, and place the pieces.
  • Sparks imaginative play as children create patterns or designs.
  • Adds a colorful, textured element to your Tuff Tray setup .

Activity Idea: Challenge kids to fill a cardboard heart insert with puzzle pieces or count how many they can scoop in a minute.

Tuff Tray with puzzle pieces arranged in a heart for Valentine’s Day play
Tuff Tray filled with puzzle pieces for kitchen sensory play
i love you to pieces heart shaped craft in the tuff tray
valentines day craft frame with puzzle pieces in a tuff tray
tuff tray with tape for rescuing toys
tuff tray fine motor play with shapes and puzzles
tuff tray play with trucks and easy puzzle sensory bin filler
tuff tray filled with puzzle pieces for play
tuff tray filled with a deck of cards and says " can you find the heart?"

Deck of 52 Playing Cards for Sensory Pay

Playing cards are an unexpected sensory bin filler that fits perfectly in a Tuff Tray for Valentine’s Day.

Why it’s perfect:

  • Teaches numbers, suits, and basic math skills.
  • Supports fine motor skills with picking, flipping, and sorting.
  • Encourages open-ended play as kids create games or stack cards.

Activity Idea: Let kids “deal” the cards into different sections of the Tuff Tray or group them by suit and color.

Tuff Tray filled with a deck of cards for a Valentine’s-themed math sensory bin
Sensory bin in a Tuff Tray using playing cards for counting and sorting.
Tuff Tray setup with a deck of cards for Valentine’s Day activities and sand writing
Deck of cards used in a Tuff Tray for counting and matching activities
Tuff Tray setup with a flower nature soup sensory bin for Valentine’s play.

Sensory Flowers for Loose Parts Play

Nature-inspired sensory play shines in a Tuff Tray , and pink flowers are ideal for a Valentine’s Day activity.

Why it’s perfect:

  • Connects children with natural textures and scents.
  • Offers vibrant colors for creative exploration.
  • Provides opportunities to sort petals, stems, and leaves.

Activity Idea: Create a flower nature soup! You can also freeze the flowers to create a fun science nature activity in your Tuff Tray .

Tuff Tray setup with a flower nature soup sensory bin for Valentine’s play
Flower ice cubes in a Tuff Tray for a sensory exploration activity
Frozen flowers in a Tuff Tray for melting and sensory exploration.
frozen flowers for sensory play for toddlers
Creative Valentine’s Day flower craft activities in a Tuff Tray.
Flower painting setup in a Tuff Tray for hands-on creativity.
Tuff Tray filled with DIY pink sand for Valentine’s sensory pla

DIY Pink Sand

Making your own pink sand is simple, fun, and a perfect sensory play activity for a Tuff Tray. 

How to make it:

  • Grate pink or red chalk into plain white sand.
  • Mix until evenly colored.
  • Add to your Tuff Tray and let it dry if needed.

Why it’s perfect:

  • Supports tactile exploration with a soft, flowy texture.
  • Encourages creativity with scooping, pouring, and shaping.
  • Adds a Valentine’s Day touch with its vibrant pink hue.
  • Reusable for endless play! 

Activity Idea: Challenge kids to draw hearts or write “I love you” in the sand using their fingers or a paint brush. 

DIY pink sand in a Tuff Tray for tactile Valentine’s Day activities.
Sensory play with DIY pink sand in a Tuff Tray for Valentine’s theme

Why Tuff Trays Are Perfect for Sensory Play

Tuff Trays aren’t just fun—they’re a valuable tool for child development. Activities like these improve fine motor skills, encourage problem-solving, and spark imaginative play. Plus, the Valentine’s Day theme of pink contrasting against the black Tuff tray is so inviting visually to come PLAY!

Whether it’s puzzle pieces, playing cards, flowers, or pink sand, these 4 sensory bin fillers are sure to bring joy and learning to your little ones.

Use a Tuff Tray by Learning through PLAYtrays to keep materials contained.

Add sensory play accessories - start with a little, and add more as your child becomes comfortable. Less is more! 

Let your child lead the play and explore at their own pace. Be part of their play! 

Which idea will you try first? Let us know at info@playtraylearing.com or TAG US on social media with your Tuff Tray PLAY!

BONUS ACTIVITY - Nature Heart Cardboard DIY Suncatcher

nature tuff tray activity with flowers

Love is the foundation of learning, and through play, we build connections that last a lifetime. This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate love and learning through play.

Creating a DIY Nature Suncatcher with Tuff Trays not only provides a hands-on learning experience but also helps children appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world. It’s a memorable activity that combines art, science, and environmental education. The light shining through the leaves and flowers will create beautiful, natural art. It's a wonderful opportunity to discuss with kids how light interacts with different materials and the importance of nature in our lives.

10 TUFF TRAY IDEAS
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Discover the benefits of learning through play! Includes a set of flashcards.



Tuff Tray Idea Book