Valentine's Day | Love Potions + Pink Sensory Rice

Happy Valentine's Day! Looking for fun and engaging activities to celebrate this special day with your little ones? Look no further! TUFF TRAYS are the perfect tool for sensory play, and we have some exciting ideas for you to try. Get ready to create unforgettable memories with these sensory play ideas!

1. Can you make a love potion?

Let your child's imagination run wild with this love potion sensory play activity. It's simple and magical! Explore different textures of rose petals and heart colors by combining  various sensory materials. Watch as your little one make their very own love potion!

Discover the full 52 Weeks of PLAYtrays Curriculum here 

2. Make your own pink Valentine's Day rice for sensory play.

Add some color to your sensory play with pink Valentine's Day rice. It's easy to make and provides hours of sensory exploration. Simply add rice into a ziplock bag, along with a spoonful of white vinegar and a few drops of food coloring. Mix it well and lay the dyed rice on the tray to air dry for a few hours. Once dry, let the sensory play begin!

Here are 10 ideas of how to use your pink Valentine's Day rice for sensory play:

1. Sensory Scooping

Provide spoons, cups, and containers for your child to scoop and pour the rice. Encourage them to explore different pouring techniques and observe how the rice flows.

2. Hidden Treasures

Bury small toys or objects in the rice and let your child dig them out. This activity promotes fine motor skills and sensory exploration.

3. Letter Hunt

Hide foam letters in the rice and challenge your child to find specific letters. This activity is not only fun but also helps with letter recognition and early literacy skills.

4. Sensory Writing

Encourage your child to practice writing letters, numbers, or shapes in the rice using their fingers or a paintbrush. This activity promotes fine motor skills and sensory integration.

5. Color Sorting

Provide different colored cups or containers and ask your child to sort the rice by color. This activity enhances color recognition and sorting skills.

6. Sensory Art

Let your child create beautiful artwork by pressing paper onto the rice. The rice will leave unique textures and patterns on the paper, making it a sensory art masterpiece!

7. Sensory Bin Filling

Use the rice as a filler for a sensory bin. Add small toys, scoops, and containers for your child to explore and play with. This activity encourages imaginative play and sensory exploration.

8. Sensory Sound Exploration

Fill different containers with rice and create shakers. Encourage your child to explore the different sounds produced by shaking the containers. This activity stimulates auditory sensory development.

9. Sensory Storytelling

Create a sensory storytelling experience by incorporating the rice into a sensory bin. Use small figurines or props to act out a story while your child engages with the rice. This activity promotes language development and imaginative play.

10. Sensory Relaxation

Provide a calming sensory experience by letting your child run their hands through the rice. This activity can help soothe and relax your child, making it perfect for winding down before bedtime.

These sensory play ideas are just the beginning! TUFF TRAYS offer endless possibilities for creative and educational play. So, grab your TUFF TRAY and get ready to embark on a sensory adventure with your little ones this Valentine's Day!