Valentine’s Day can be a fun and meaningful opportunity for children to practice creativity, communication, and social skills. For some families, however, holiday activities can feel overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities or changes in routine. The good news? With a few thoughtful adjustments, holiday crafts can be both enjoyable and supportive of learning.
Valentine’s Day can be a fun and meaningful opportunity for children to practice creativity, communication, and social skills. For some families, however, holiday activities can feel overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities or changes in routine. The good news? With a few thoughtful adjustments, holiday crafts can be both enjoyable and supportive of learning.
Below is a simple sensory-friendly Valentine’s Day craft you can try at home—along with an ABA strategy to help turn playtime into a learning moment.
Sensory-Friendly Valentine Heart Collage
What You’ll Need:
Construction paper or cardstock
Pre-cut foam hearts or felt shapes
Stickers (avoid glitter for sensory comfort)
Glue stick or double-sided tape
Crayons or washable markers
Optional sensory supports: noise-reducing headphones, a visual schedule, or a timer to support transitions.
How to Make It
Let your child choose their paper and decorations (offering choices builds independence).
Model placing one shape on the paper.
Encourage your child to copy or create their own design.
Keep the activity short and flexible—5 to 10 minutes is great!
There’s no “right” way to complete the craft. The goal is engagement, not perfection.
ABA Strategy: Choice-Making & Positive Reinforcement
This activity is a great opportunity to practice two core ABA strategies:
Choice-Making:
Offer simple choices like “Do you want the red heart or the pink heart?” Giving choices helps increase communication and reduces frustration.
Positive Reinforcement:
Praise effort and participation with specific feedback such as:
“Great job asking for help!”
“I love how you tried something new.”
Reinforcing small successes helps build confidence and encourages future participation.
Learning Through Play at Intercare Centers
At Intercare Therapy, we believe play is a powerful way to build skills. Our centers regularly incorporate seasonal, sensory-friendly activities—like Valentine’s crafts—into therapy sessions and programming. These activities are thoughtfully designed to support communication, social interaction, and independence in a fun, engaging way.
We also partner closely with families through caregiver collaboration, helping you bring these strategies into everyday routines at home.
If you’re looking for a supportive, engaging environment where your child can learn through play, Intercare Therapy is here to help.
👉 Contact us today to learn more about our services, center-based programming, and how we support children and families year-round.
