Here’s a DIY Valentine’s Day sensory bottle with hearts falling in LOVE for your sweetheart (or someone special) that makes a great gift idea and calm-down toy!
This DIY slow-falling hearts sensory bottle makes a fantastic calm-down bottle for kids or a simple homemade gift to say I love you to Mom, Dad, or your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. They are a romantic Valentine’s Day gift idea and make meaningful DIY gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, or an anniversary. This heart discovery jar also makes a great DIY favor idea for birthday parties and weddings! You might also enjoy this list of keepsake crafts and gifts kids can make or this list of romantic DIY Valentine’s Day gift ideas you can make for your sweetheart.
Children and adults will “fall in love” with this gently falling heart sensory bottle toy. Calm-down bottles like this simple sensory tool filled with gently moving hearts can help soothe an overwhelmed or anxious child or serve as a meditation aid for kids. I made the Valentine’s Day sensory bottle with hearts falling in the photographs and video tutorial for my daughter in 2016, and today, it still looks as beautiful and moves as gently as the day I made it. This DIY sensory bottle tutorial is regularly updated and republished to improve the content and remain current.
Valentine’s Day Sensory Bottle DIY:
This Valentine’s Day sensory bottle is filled with beautiful translucent hearts that move slowly to soothe loved ones of all ages. Children and adults of all ages will benefit from the soothing motion of the hearts falling in love. Toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, elementary school-aged kids, teens, and adults will enjoy the calming effects of this homemade sensory bottle. You might also enjoy making a see-through rainstick sensory bottle for kids.
The slow-falling hearts in this Valentine’s Day calm-down jar and gift can soothe an overwhelmed child, help them calm down in times of stress, and learn to self-regulate. Homemade sensory bottles, such as this Valentine’s Day craft filled with falling hearts, can also be used as a meditation aid. Best of all, DIY sensory bottles are just as beneficial for adults. Learn more about sensory bottles and their uses in Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
This DIY heart sensory bottle also doubles as a great gift idea, so simple instructions to turn this heart discovery jar into a homemade Valentine’s Day gift are included below the DIY video tutorial and detailed step-by-step instructions in the next section. Falling heart sensory bottles also make a great gift idea for several other holidays, events, and occasions, such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, or a wedding anniversary.
Related: Thumbprint Heart Glass Magnets
DIY Sensory Bottle Gift Idea that everyone will fall in love with
A heart-filled calm-down jar with slow-moving and falling hearts is a lovely discovery bottle for kids and adults. Sensory bottles provide a safe and easy way for toddlers and preschoolers to engage in safe, no-mess sensory play. This snowstorm in a bottle is also a lovely calm-down toy for young and old alike.
The gentle falling hearts that play together so gracefully as they swirl to the bottom of this calming sensory bottle also make a perfect gift idea for Valentine’s Day. Give one to your children or that special someone to say “I love you” any time of the year. Isn’t it lovely?
The hearts inside are “Falling in Love”
When you give one of these gorgeous homemade Valentine’s Day gifts to your sweetheart (or loved one), they will fall in love, too! Friends and family of all ages will also enjoy this simple sensory toy filled with swirling hearts. Look at how soothing this falling heart sensory bottle is in the DIY sensory bottle video tutorial below. Craft supplies and step-by-step instructions are posted below the video tutorial.
Falling Heart Sensory Bottle DIY Video tutorial:
Watch the video below to see this sensory bottle and its hearts slowly moving and falling in real-time. (We did not slow down the video or speed it up.) After you watch the video and read the instructions, you will see how easy it is to make a DIY sensory bottle filled with hearts falling in love.
Related: Thumbprint Heart Magnets
Hearts Falling in Love Sensory Bottle Ingredients and Supplies:
- A recycled empty plastic water bottle, mason jar, or another bottle from the recycle bin.
- Goo Gone (optional)
- 1/4-3/4 cup of distilled or tap water
- Translucent red or pink acrylic hearts (or use both colors!)
- Clear liquid hand soap or clear glue
- Super glue
Related: Frozen-Inspired Snowstorm Sensory Bottle
How to Make a Sensory Bottle with Slow-Moving and FAlling Hearts for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or any Day!
Please read the step-by-step instructions below to determine the sensory bottle ingredients you want to use from the recommended sensory bottle supplies. There are two slightly different ways to make these Valentine’s Day sensory bottles with slow-falling hearts, depending on whether you want to use clear liquid hand soap or clear glue as one of the ingredients. Read through the gently falling hearts DIY sensory bottle tips below before starting this DIY project:
The temperature and amount of water needed will depend on which ingredients you use to make this soothing heart calm-down jar (clear hand soap or glue) and the size of the bottle itself. Use warm water to mix with clear glue, and cool or room-temperature water to combine with clear hand soap to make this heart discovery bottle. Warm water will make it easier to mix glue with water so the hearts won’t end up in a giant clump glued together inside the bottle. However, please don’t pour hot water into an empty plastic bottle. Hot water can melt or warp plastic bottles. Hot water can also shatter untempered glass, so use caution. With that said, please do not use warm water if you use clear liquid hand soap to make this heart jar, or it can turn your homemade sensory bottle into a murky mess!
Choose the heart sensory bottle ingredients from the options above, then follow the step-by-step instructions to make it below. Please note: I used 1/4 cup of water and filled the rest with clear hand soap to make the slow-moving heart-filled recycled Voss water bottle shown in the photographs, but clear glue also works exceptionally well. Step-by-step instructions include directions for either ingredient, clear hand soap, or glue.
1. Clean a clear plastic bottle or glass jar:
- Grab a clear plastic water bottle or glass jar from the recycle bin with a large enough opening for the plastic acrylic hearts to fit through.
- Glass mason jars and Voss water bottles work great.
- Empty plastic bottles or glass jars with a small opening at the top may not work.
- Glass mason jars and Voss water bottles work great.
- If needed, peel labels or stickers off of the recycled jar to remove them.
- Use Goo Gone to remove any sticky residue.
2. Add water directly to the jar or bottle:
- If you use clear liquid hand soap to make this DIY sensory bottle, pour 1/4 to 1/2 cup of distilled or tap water into the bottle or jar.
- Or, pour 3/4 cup of warm water into the jar if you are using clear glue to make this heart sensory bottle.
- More water will make the hearts inside the discovery jar move faster, while less will help them move slower.
- Please don’t put hot water inside plastic bottles; they can become warped and misshapen.
- Hot water can also shatter untempered glass, so use caution.
3. Drop acrylic hearts into the discovery jar or bottle with water inside:
- Count 12 to 16 red and/or pink acrylic hearts and drop them into the bottle.
- We used 16 red acrylic hearts to make the Valentine’s Day sensory bottle in the photographs and video tutorial for this sensory bottle craft tutorial.
- However, pink hearts, or a combination of red and pink hearts, would also look gorgeous, gently swirling around and slowly falling inside this DIY sensory bottle!
4. Add clear liquid hand soap or glue to the DIY sensory bottle:
- Fill the bottle up with clear liquid hand soap or glue.
- The idea is to fill it to the top so there is no air in it because too much air left in it will allow bubbles to remain inside of it.
- Allow the heart sensory jar to settle before moving on to the next step.
- Different types of hand soap and glue have different viscosity levels, so you may need more or less water depending on the clear liquid hand soap or glue you use.
- When in doubt, wait to see how fast or slow your homemade Valentine’s Day sensory bottle moves before you top it off with more hand soap, clear glue, or water.
- Add more clear glue or liquid hand soap if you want it to move slower. Or add more water to help the hearts move around in the discovery jar faster.
- To do so, first, pour some of the contents into a sink.
- Then, add clear glue, hand soap, or water directly to the bottle over the sink while allowing the liquid contents to overflow to ensure no air is left inside the bottle.
5. Put the lid on the sensory heart bottle DIY Toy:
- Screw the lid on the bottle, rinse it with water if necessary, and use a towel to wipe off any excess water, glue, or soap.
- Give the heart sensory bottle for Valentine’s Day a gentle swirl and a shake.
- The contents might be a bit murky or stuck together, depending on the sensory bottle ingredients used to make it until they mix and settle. Read through the Valentine’s Day sensory bottle troubleshooting tips below:
- Soap and water make bubbles, and bubbles will make it hard to see through, but they will calm and settle in time unless there is air inside the bottle.
- Glue can cause the hearts to stick together in a clump.
- If the hearts are stuck together in a giant clump inside the heart jar, shake it vigorously to help the ingredients mix entirely so the hearts no longer remain clumped.
- Shaking the bottle will help the hearts separate and flow smoothly throughout the bottle if you use glue to make it.
- However, I don’t recommend shaking the bottle vigorously if you use clear liquid hand soap to make it, or it can turn into a bubbly, frothy mess, especially if there is any air inside the heart jar.
- Ensure you fill the bottle to the top before putting the lid on, as recommended in step four above, and you should be good to go.
- Once it settles, your calm-down jar will stay clear because the glue and water or soap and water will be thoroughly mixed.
- If it is still hard to see through, I recommend waiting for the contents to settle before opening the bottle.
- Next, pour more water, clear liquid hand soap, or glue inside the sensory bottle with hearts to remove the air by filling it to the top.
- Then, allow the sensory bottle ingredients to settle before playing with it.
Related: Mermaid Tail Calm Down Sensory Bottle
Falling Hearts Sensory Bottle:
Play with this slow-falling heart sensory bottle for a day or two to ensure you like how it moves. If you want the hearts to fall faster, add more water. Add more clear liquid hand soap if you would like the hearts to fall slightly slower. Clear liquid hand soap will slow down the contents inside, even if you use clear glue to make the bottle.
Once you are happy with your falling heart sensory bottle, glue the lid on it, and give it to your children or your lover as a gift or just for fun, unless you’re keeping it yourself! In the next section, learn how to turn this fun DIY project into a homemade Valentine’s Day gift for someone you love!
Related: Love Bugs Craft
Related: Heart Art Salt Painting Project
How to Turn “Hearts Falling in Love” Sensory Bottle into a Valentine’s Day Gift:
This slow-falling hearts sensory bottle makes a great Valentine’s Day gift for friends, family, classmates, or co-workers. They also make a simple Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetheart and great homemade wedding favors or an anniversary gift. Try the easy ideas below to turn this sensory bottle into a Valentine’s Day gift or a gift to say “I love you” any time of the year.
- Place one of THESE stickers on the top of the lid.
- Or, use one of THESE stickers and an inkjet printer or a permanent marker to write any of the following Valentine’s Day message ideas:
- I’m falling for you, Valentine.
- Falling in LOVE with YOU.
- You make falling in LOVE easy.
- My heart is yours, Valentine!
- You soothe me with your love, Valentine!
- My heart only swirls for you, sweetheart.
- Or any other message you can think of–the only limit is the limits of your imagination!
Make a fingerprint love bug card to complete the gift. Click on the link to see even more fun card message ideas!
And if you are not giving your sensory bottle full of hearts away as a gift, discovery bottles like this make a great DIY toddler toy for no-mess sensory play. They also make an excellent calm-down jar and meditation tool for kids and adults of all ages. Click the link to learn more about sensory bottles, their uses, how to make them, and troubleshooting tips–> Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
Falling in LOVE Calming Sensory Bottle
A DIY sensory bottle with slow-falling hearts is a soothing gift for a loved one any time of year. A sensory bottle filled with hearts would also make a great gift idea for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Grandparent’s Day.
You may also like this list of gift ideas for him or her and Valentine’s Day keepsake gifts kids can make. Click the links for several more fun Valentine’s Day craft ideas, or see the list below!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
More Valentine’s Day Gifts and Ideas:
- Love Bugs Valentine’s Day Craft
- Cute Valentine’s Day Crafts and Gift Ideas
- Valentine’s Day Art Projects
- Hanging Hearts Suncatcher Prism Craft
- Watercolor Surprise Heart Art
- Thumbprint Heart Magnets
More DIY Sensory Bottles:
- Rainstick Sensory Bottle
- Frozen-Inspired Snowstorm Sensory Botle
- Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottle Crafts
- Butterfly Sensory Bottle
I love this sensory bottle! A great calming and relaxing visual.
Thanks! My daughter really loves it too! She took it with her to bed last night-ha!
Love this! The slow moving hearts are a great idea!
Thanks! My daughter and I had a blast putting it together. I love that making them is a great science lesson!
This bottle is gorgeous! Great shot!! 🙂
Thank you!
Would foil hearts work too?
Good question Cheryll!
No, I’m sorry, it wouldn’t. You would need to use something with a little weight for it to work with these ingredients. You can use foils to make a sensory bottle with about 1 to 2 cups of water and either corn syrup, glitter glue, or clear glue, but the paints on foils will chip off over time and float in the bottle.
Where does someone get the hearts from? I assume from a craft store but which dept? I don’t ever go into a craft store.
Hi Jane! I have never been able to find the hearts I used in a store. I purchased them on Amazon. I have provided the affiliate link to the “RED” hearts I used in the “Materials” section above. Click on either “RED” or the “PINK” to be taken to an Amazon sales page.
I just bought them at the dollar store.
Yes!! I also noticed them for the first time at the dollar store. I couldn’t believe it! I’ve NEVER seen them there before!! We must have influenced those that supply the store to provide them for our readers–yay! I found them in pink and red, but grab them quickly because they will probably sell out!
What is the purpose of the hand soap? Just curious! Thank you
Good question Ashley!
Handsoap is much more viscous than water so it helps slow down the hearts so they don’t just fall to the bottom of the bottle. If you only use water the hearts will not move slowly and appear to float.
Hi, I’m trying to make a few of your sensory bottles and just can’t get the right flow. How do you get the soap and water to stop making suds? I’ve used corn syrup in one bottle as well, but I struggle to get them to fall like yours. I’ve played with different parts water to corn syrup and water and soap (different bottle). I even tried glue but that just made all my sequins stick together!
Hi Abby! I’m so sorry that you are having trouble. It’s best to top off your bottle. Fill your sensory bottle all the way to the top with liquid hand soap or water. Slowly let the bubbles pour out as you fill it up in the sink. Next, put the lid on the sensory bottle and allow it to settle. This method always works for us. When using glue it is best to mix it and the glitter with hot water, otherwise they might stick together. This is why we pre-mix in a quart measuring cup. I hope that helps!!
As an early childhood educator, I’ve made several of these bottles and I like to use clear Elmer’s Glue and water. You have to figure out the amounts of glue/water to get the right viscosity. Because preschoolers tend to shake these bottles (vs. waiting for the action), using glue prevents lots of bubbles:)
Hi Cheryl, as you can see, we have made a lot of calm-down sensory bottles and jars as well! You are correct, clear glue would also work to make this soothing heart calm-down jar. We often use clear glue and hand soap in various combinations to make DIY sensory bottles, but opted to use only hand soap to make this one. I find that taking all the air out keeps the bubbles at bay, but using clear glue would also work well. Thanks for the tip!
hi, on the video it says 1/4 cup of water and on the list 1/2 cup of water, which one is correct
I added half cup of water and filled up with soap thye not floating but going down really fast, just made them maybe waiting 24 hours will make it better?
Hi Aga! Sorry about the discrepancy… 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water works, more water makes the hearts move faster, while less water helps them move slower. Make it how you like it!
Would glass ones work? I am looking for some Easter ones and can’t find anything except hearts, 4th of July, and like fall ones. I even call PIer1 as they carry them for different holidays and no they didn’t have any. I would like to do one for Easter and kind looking for bunnies. Thanks for tips, I have tried ebay, amazon, craft stores. So any tips would be so much appreciated.
Hi Diane! I’m sorry that you had so much trouble finding some bunnies, and am glad that you finally found some that will work. 🙂
Thank you. I see the flowers and that is the kind I was talking about too. Thank you.
Would acrylic flowers would they work or are they too thick to pass by? What is your opinion on it? I can’t find any bunnies anywhere.
Hi Di!
I’m so sorry I was unable to respond until now and that you have been waiting for answers. Acrylic flowers should work a lot like the acrylic butterflies that we used in our butterfly sensory bottles. You can find the tutorial here: https://rhythmsofplay.com/butterfly-sensory-bottle/
Is it glass or plastic I just picked up one and it is glass and I can’t get the paint off with goo gone. HELP. Also I found some bunnys that are acrylic on Etsy. So on my way to making one but don’t know how to get the paint off the bottle.
We used the plastic bottles, and wonder if the glass is painted? If it is a label it can be taken off and then you can use goo gone to remove the sticky residue, but if the label is painted, goo gone will not be able to remove it.
It was glass and with water and soap and blade it came of easy. I can’t find a plastic one any where, they are all glass. Wonder if they changed them.
They don’t sell them everywhere, but maybe the company has changed and no longer sell plastic? I only have old recycled bottles that I use! I will have to investigate further!
I finally tried and wow I had to keep dumping out the mixtur until they finally floated. I am now waiting for it to set up to see what it really looks like. Thank you for all your help.
Yes, the heavier the pieces, the more liquid handsoap you will need. I’m so glad that you have made your own sensory bottle!!
Okay I finally got the paint off by using water and soap and then scraping with a knife. This will be for adults. Could you please share the brand of liquid soap you used? thank you and please do email. Have not had a response from you yet. Thank for any help. I am about ready to start since I got the acrylic bunnies from Etsy and the bottle and cleaned the ink off and ready to go so waiting to hear from you.
Oh goodness! It was painted!! I’m so sorry that you had to struggle with that. We used clear liquid soft soap, but I have also found clear hand soap at the dollar store that worked just as well in another sensory bottle that we made.
It worked well so no problem.
That’s great, Di! I’m so glad to hear it!
Can you tell me about how long they last and what happens when they start to go bad, or don’t they get bad after a period of time? I just want to make it at the right time so it lasts for a while. Thanks.
These calm down jars will last a long time if they are not thrown around or mistreated. Sometimes the lids will break and need to be replaced with another of the same type, but other than that, every single sensory bottle that we have made is still in perfect condition! Our slow falling hearts bottle is still just as beautiful as the day we made it back in January of 2016! 🙂
One more question if I got size 27 ounces should I put 1/2 a cup of water or more? Thanks sorry so many questions.
I’m not sure… Are you saying that the bottle that you are putting the solution is 27 ounces? There is quite a bit of wiggle room with measurements. I often don’t know exactly how much of everything that I actually use, because I pour out the contents of the bottle in order to slow it down or speed it up based on how it moves. If it’s moving too slow, pour some off and add water. If it’s moving too fast, pour some off and add liquid handsoap. It’s one big science experiment in viscosity!!
I made the bottle, I finally got it to float now my question is how long does it take for the solution to settle down I thought I had seen it but just read threw the comments an didn’t see it.
Make sure your sensory bottle is filled all the way to the top, and then give it at least 24 hours to settle. When the water and soap first mix it will produce foam, but if you take all the air out, it will never be able to foam up again. You may need to open it up and add a small amount of water to it to allow the foam to flow out of the top, then close it back up again. Once your sensory bottle is filled to the top and there is no foam in it, you can glue it shut.
I redid the solution because it was so foggy and not changing in 24 hours. So I am hoping this batch does or I will have to get some more hand sanitizer. Tee Hee. Looking forward to do a few more.
The problem may be that you are using hand sanitizer. I don’t think that will work. Clear liquid hand soap is what we use and it works well!
Thank you
Yes it is 27 ounces, it was the same price as the small one so I got the bigger one. Thank you for your help.
I just watched the video and see it says 24 hours which it hasn’t been yet. Ok
New question when I started the items in the bottle floated slowly after setting 24 hours and mixing now they move way tooo fast do I take some out and add more hand sanitizer?
Yes, but not hand sanitizer. Add liquid hand soap.
Okay thank you what kind of liquid soap that is clear? Thank, thanks thanks………
I use the handsoap listed in the supplies section. 🙂
Guess retrograde messed me up, I re-made them with the LIQUID HAND SOAP and working great. Thank you again. WHEW.
Yay!! I’m so glad that you made a sensory bottle that you are happy with! Enjoy it! 🙂
Thank you I made three and will make some baby ones when my nephew has a baby one day or maybe even my son. LOL I am making a water bead Packer colors for my husband next, waiting for the beads.
That’s great Di! So glad to hear it!
I love the idea of making a sensory bottle with Packer colors. I’ll bet he will love it!
Would legos work instead of acrylic hearts?
Yes! You may have to adjust the amount of water to liquid hand soap in the sensory bottle, but it will work great!
Hi Ashley! I’m so sorry I missed your comment over the summer break! Yes, you can use legos to make a sensory bottle DIY like this, but you may need to adjust the ratio of water to clear liquid hand soap.
I’m thinking WAY ahead… My 3rd grader loves her calming jar, so I was thinking for her class Valentines I would try making mini (thinking travel-size toiletry bottles). Her school is big on homemade vs store bought Valentines, and I’d hope these would be ones her classmates would keep, at least for awhile. Have you ever made mini jars? What is the ratio between water and glue for the correct consistency? Thanks!
Hi Lyndsey!
Yes, I have made mini sensory bottles. Although I mention clear glue as an alternative, I used clear liquid hand soap to make the bottle shown in the photographs for this falling heart jar tutorial.
If I were to make these into mini heart sensory jars with glue instead of handsoap I would heat the water before mixing it with the glue in a large tempered glass measuring cup and allow it to cool before pouring it into the bottle (otherwise it will melt if you are using a plastic bottle) and adding the hearts. I would do this to ensure that the glue and water is thoroughly mixed so the acrylic hearts don’t get stuck together in a clump.
As far as the ratio for glue to water, I’m not exactly sure, because I used handsoap. I recommend making one bottle and testing it to see how it works, and making any changes to the recipe needed before making the remainder of the mini jars. Start with a ratio of one to one. In other words, fill the bottle with half water and half glue. From what I know of the materials and how they move within a sensory bottle, that ratio feels like it might work well, but I have not tested it to know for sure.
With how far our you’re planning, you have plenty of time to test it to see what you like best. If you want the hearts to move slower, add more glue. If you want the contents of the bottles to move faster, add more water. Invite your daughter to help for some kitchen science chemistry. Let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear how your mini heart Valentine’s jars turn out. Happy crafting!
Nell