Easy Valentine’s Day Sensory Crafts for San Jose Toddlers

February in San Jose usually means two things: beautiful blooming almond blossoms and... rain! When we can't get outside to the playgrounds in Milpitas or Berryessa, we need ways to keep those little hands busy indoors.

As Director Jessie, I love Valentine's Day not just for the chocolate, but because it's a great opportunity to talk about kindness and friendship. Plus, it’s the perfect theme for "Process Art"—where the fun is in the making, not the final product.

Here are three super simple, low-mess activities we do at Sunny Child Care that you can easily try at home.

1. "I Love You to Pieces" (Tearing Paper)

Skill: Fine Motor & Pincer Grasp

One of the best pre-writing skills for toddlers isn't holding a pencil—it's tearing paper!

• What to do: Draw a big heart on cardstock. Give your child strips of red, pink, and purple construction paper (you can grab these at the Daiso at Great Mall for cheap!).
• The Mission: Let them rip the paper into tiny pieces and glue them onto the heart.
• Why it works: It builds hand strength for future writing.

2. No-Mess Heart Suncatchers

Skill: Hand-Eye Coordination

Living in 95131, we get lovely sunlight between the rain showers. Let's catch it!

• What to do: Tape a piece of clear contact paper (sticky side out) to your sliding glass door.
• The Mission: Give your toddler tissue paper squares to stick onto the "sticky window."
• Why parents love it: Zero glue! Zero mess!

3. Playdough Heart "Cookies"

Skill: Sensory & Strength

If you haven't visited Michaels on Brokaw Rd recently, grab some heart-shaped cookie cutters.

• What to do: Make a batch of pink playdough (add a drop of strawberry extract for smell!).
• The Mission: Roll, squish, and stamp out hearts.
• The Lesson: Talk about "Gentle hands" vs. "Strong hands."

Director Jessie's Tip: "Don't worry if the heart looks like a blob. Praise the effort: 'Wow, look how hard your fingers are working!' That's how we build a Growth Mindset."

Ready to see how we incorporate art into our bilingual curriculum? Come visit us!

Schedule a Tour with Director Jessie