I love sensory play for young children. It’s so important to their development to engage all their senses. Sensory toys for toddlers can really help with stimulating sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Sensory play invites your child to explore their senses, which in turn helps to build neurone pathways in their brain. Find more Sensory play ideas here.
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15 sensory toys for toddlers
You can find out all about the benefits of sensory play here. Sensory play is great for your babies development. Other ways you can support your baby include these crawling activities for infants.
Wonderworld Wooden Rainbow Sound Blocks
I love these gorgeous wooden blocks *. We bought our set when our eldest was a baby and they have lasted us well. The wood is so smooth and each block makes a different sound as well as having a different cloured window. Toddlers love stacking these blocks, shaking them to listen to the sounds and viewing the world through the different coloured windows.
Musical instruments
Musical instruments should be in every toy box as far as I’m concerned. There are so many ways to use them and children love them. They not only aid sensory development but also gross motor skills, improve listening and so much more. There are so many different options to buy too. You can get * large sets that include a variety of instruments which are fantastic value. or you can pick up individual instruments like guitars or drums.
Set of rainbow scarfs
You can’t get much simpler than a scarf. They’re great for including in treasure baskets and other sensory play setups. They’re also perfect for open-ended play. My girls have used their set of * play scarves in so many ways.
Rainbow scarfs could also be used to encourage movement or dance. You might also like these first yoga poses for babies and toddlers.
High contrast images
these DIY contrast cards for babies are a fantastic sensory activity for babies.
Textured balls
Textured balls * are fantastic sensory toys for babies as well as toddlers. They stimulate the sense of touch due to the different textures and also sight due to the different colours.
MOLUK Bilibo rocking spinning toy
This is a fantastic open-ended toy that my kids love. We’ve had our Bilibo * a few years now and they love spinning in it as well as using it in so many ways. I think we’ll try using it outdoors this year. It’s great for working on their balance and gross motor skills.
Emergency blanket
Whilst not a toy, emergency foil blankets * are a fantastic sensory item to use with babies and toddlers. They love the crinkling noise and the feeling of the material as they play with the blanket as well as how the shiny material catches the light. I’ve used them a lot with my girls from a young age such as in this mess-free Winter sensory play for toddlers.
Water table
Water play is the ultimate sensory activity for children. They just love it. From splashing in puddles to helping with the washing up, they love it all. We bought our girls water tables as soon as they were able to stand at them and they have loved them. There are so many different options out there to buy. I love * this one.
Tobbles Neo
Stacking bricks and blocks have been an essential toy for a long time but this one puts an extra twist on the childhood classic. These ones are curved so they spin and twist. My kids loved them. Get your set here *.
Light up balls and wands
Whilst these aren’t strictly speaking toys and I would recommend supervising your child closely whilst they use them, they are loved by children. You can often pick these up in discount stores and card shops as well as online *. We’ve particularly enjoyed combining the flashing balls * with emergency blankets.
Water beads
Another one that I would strongly recommend only using under very close supervision is water beads *. These are a great sensory item but they could be dangerous if swallowed. My kids have loved them though. They come as tiny seeds that you leave in water until they expand into marble size balls. My kids have loved running their hands through them and also squashing them.
Play dough
My kids love play dough *. It’s so much fun and the options for play are endless. We have accumulated a lot of play dough tools * over the years. We also sometimes use nature with it like in my seaside play dough activity. We often do seasonal play dough activities like Easter play dough and Christmas tree play dough.
Kinetic sand
Another great sensory material is Kinetic sand * . There’s no easy way to describe it. It’s really unique and a great sensory material. It comes in a range of colours. You can buy just a bag of kinetic sand or more of a set *.
Bubbles
Kids adore bubbles. You can pick up a bottle of bubbles for very little cost from almost any supermarket, toy shop or discount store and bigger refill bottles * are available too.
Food
Ok so this definitely isn’t a toy but it makes a great sensory material for young children. Especially young children, when there is a risk of them eating everything. Ideas include cereal and jelly.
Lights
These lights were all picked up for very little cost in discount stores. Of course, they are to be used under supervision. The blocks change colour too. Both were a big hit and well-loved. Another great light sensory tool is a DIY light table like this one.
Sensory play activities to inspire you
As well as sensory toys for toddlers, I have some fantastic, simple sensory activities throughout my blog that may inspire your sensory play. Click through to these posts if you would like further inspiration.
Rainbow spaghetti sensory play
Halloween sensory bin for toddlers
Autumn preschool maths activity
Valentine’s day treasure basket
11 winter sensory activities for toddlers
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