Last night I set out to make our Valentine’s Sensory Bin, after seeing this one that Growing a Jeweled Rose made for her girls.  Let me say that this was no easy task.  I’m the only female in our home.  Our boys are 11 and 14, so pink items are kind of a scarce commodity around here.  I struggled all evening to pull a bin together, but I just couldn’t round up enough materials to fill the bin with. 

I decided instead to take what I was able to find, and make up several different Pink and Red activities to set into the bin, and you know what?  I love it.  I was tempted to bring it out for the Hooligans today, but we kept busy with other things, so I figured I’d wait on it a little longer.

I want to show you what it looks like though.

I filled a couple of glass jars with red beaded Christmas tree garland.

I had two more large jars with lids, so into one I put white lentils, and pink and red foam pieces.  Into the other, I put that red, stretchy mesh that clementines come packaged in.  I’ve been saving that up for a while, thinking it would be perfect for a Valentine’s craft or activity.

I filled two small jars with pom-poms, and a small spice bottle with pink, red and white buttons.  Beside that, I placed one of those little cases that holds medicine and a scoop for filling it with.  Jars and bottles with lids are great for fine motor development, and little ones love snapping the compartments open and closed on the medicine holder.

I added some pink ice-cube trays, some red foam trays, and some tongs for sorting and organizing.

Lastly, I found some pink paint chips for a cutting activity.  This is a great way to teach little ones how to use scissors.  Encourage your child try to cut along the white lines to chop the strips up.

As an extra activity, (this didn’t fit into the bin) I filled a plastic heart-shaped pan with red and pink markers and crayons, and added some white cardboard hearts for decorating.

I love how pretty and inviting this bin looks.  It makes me think of a candy shop! I think we’re going to have some fun with this!!

What crafts and activities are you doing at your house for Valentine’s Day?  I’d love it if you’d link them up on my Happy Hooligans facebook page!