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I was trying to think of a new sensory base other than the ones my toddler has already seen. When I initially made this Valentines sensory bin, she had just turned three and grew bored rather easily so I wanted to mix things up a bit. Instead of using previous sensory bin bases, I opted for bowtie pasta – RED BOWTIE PASTA! She is a huge pasta fan so I thought that she would appreciate this one and boy did she enjoy this activity!
My heart led me the right way because it was rewarding to see her face when she realized that momma made not only noodles, but RED noodles! She was excited and was interested in playing with everything in it, but most particularly, the candy hearts stole her heart as she got to taste them. Once she realized that these little hearts were edible and that they were CANDY, she grabbed as many as she could in amazement!
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Benefits of Sensory Play
Sensory play offers numerous benefits to toddlers, preschoolers, and growing children. Most DIY sensory bins are cheap and easy to put together. Sensory play includes play that engages your child’s senses, including sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. According to Only About Children’s post, when a baby is born, their senses aren’t fully developed. Their senses mature slowly, over time as babies, toddlers, and preschoolers explore the sensory world that surrounds them.
Sensory play helps develop new connections in the brain and helps babies and toddlers learn about the world as they play and respond to different things. Feeling different textures, seeing the vibrant colors, and smelling are all part of sensory play and help children absorb the huge world around them. Although it may seem like kids are simply playing, they are actually learning a ton about auditory, visual, olfactory, and taste.
How to Make the Best Valentines Sensory Bin
1). Pour a box of bowtie pasta into a large freezer bag. Drop a few drops of red food coloring in the freezer bag. Add two tablespoons water and mix all the ingredients together by flipping the bag over continuously and using your hands to blend the food coloring evenly over the pasta.
2). Empty the pasta onto a baking sheet lined with foil. Let it dry out a couple of hours, or overnight.
3). Pour the dry pasta into a sensory bin. Add the hearts, pipe cleaners, toys, and Conversation Hearts.
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Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Valentines Sensory Bin, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this craft a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this Valentine’s Day sensory bin and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this DIY sensory bin, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your sensory bin photos!
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Items needed to make a Valentines Sensory Bin:
- Bowtie pasta
- Red food coloring
- Freezer bag
- 2 tablespoons water
- Plastic hearts
- Red pipe cleaners
- Red serving spoons
- Red kid’s strainer toy or other similar toy
- Brach’s Conversation Hearts candy
Directions:
1). Pour a box of bowtie pasta into a large freezer bag. Drop a few drops of red food coloring in the freezer bag. Add two tablespoons water and mix all the ingredients together by flipping the bag over continuously and using your hands to blend the food coloring evenly over the pasta.
2). Empty the pasta onto a baking sheet lined with foil. Let it dry out a couple of hours, or overnight.
3). Pour the dry pasta into a sensory bin. Add the hearts, pipe cleaners, toys, and Conversation Hearts.
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