Top Sensory Toys for Toddlers and Babies (2024)
Sensory toys for toddlers and babies support brain development. Sensory play is a great way to promote growth during these sensitive periods of development.
My favorite part of being an occupational therapist is helping parents and caregivers find appropriate activities for young children to foster their physical and cognitive development. The sensory systems are the foundation for a child’s development.
The best sensory toys for toddlers and older babies does not mean just giving them sensory bins for their little hands, or a calming sensory bottle to hold and look at.
Sensory experiences are SO MUCH MORE than just using the hands.
Babies and toddlers need a variety of sensory stimulation for ALL of the sensory systems through play and daily activities in order to enhance sensory processing development and to prevent sensory issues.
Sensory exploration can occur naturally in young children during daily routines. However, if you’re looking for sensory toys, it can be overwhelming to choose what’s best. I’m here to help you!
Below, you will find the best sensory toys for your baby and toddler. As a pediatric occupational therapist, who strongly focuses on sensory stimulation for all of the senses, I have them separated by the following categories:
- Vestibular system (movement) and proprioceptive (body and muscle) toys for toddlers
- Vestibular system (movement) and proprioceptive (body and muscle) toys for babies
- Tactile system (touch) toys for toddlers
- Tactile system toys for babies
- Visual (seeing) system toys for toddlers
- Visual toys for babies
- Auditory toys for toddlers and babies
[Important Note: you will not find techy or many battery operated toys, they’re not good for growing brains!]
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The Vestibular (Movement) and Proprioceptive (Muscle and Body) Systems
The sensory systems begin to develop in the womb and develop extremely rapidly in babies and toddlers. Young children need so many natural sensory experiences every day. You play a crucial role in helping your little ones find the best sensory play activities.
The vestibular system processes movement, balance, and gravity input and the proprioceptive system processes input received through the muscles and joints.
Both sensory systems are extremely important for sensory development and cognitive development in babies and toddlers.
Check out the The 8 Sensory Systems Explained for more information on all of your child’s senses. Additionally, check out the Pyramid of Learning; it discusses how the sensory systems and sensory development are the foundation for behavior and learning.
Movement and Body Sensory Toys for Toddlers
Toddlers need to move! Movement and physical sensory play lays the groundwork for the brain and body. Toddlers are busy little people who gain will gain endless skills with proper movement experiences.
Offer a variety of movement activities every day to give their vestibular system and their proprioceptive system input to help develop gross motor skills. Coordinating the big muscles during movement sensory play helps with fine motor skills.
Check out some of my favorite recommendations as an occupational therapist.
I love the Toddler Standing Tower so that your little one can climb up, stand, and balance to help you in the kitchen, I wish they were available when my kids were little! So many of my families have them and love them. This one is adjustable you can use it for longer.
Movement and Body Sensory Toys for Babies
Your baby’s best opportunity for movement and body input is in your arms! The next best space for baby is on the floor for sensory play.
Prone play and weight-bearing floor time play have so many benefits for babies, toddlers, and even older children. (Click the links for more info.)
Be sure to make time for baby to roll, stretch, and reach for toys that are not just placed next to their hands (when they’re a little bigger, of course!)
(The jolly jumper should be used for older babies who are ready to bear weight through their legs.)
Tactile (Touch) Sensory System: Toys for Babies and Toddlers
The skin is the largest organ in the body. Babies and toddlers need a wide variety of different textures for their whole body, hands, and feet.
Babies also require sensory input in their mouth as they hold and explore various textures and objects. Oral sensory play gives so much important information to a baby’s brain.
Tactile activities are a great way to support sensory development, learning, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination in babies and toddlers.
Tactile Toys for Toddler Sensory Play
Sensory Play Tactile Toys for Babies
Tactile play for baby can be simple during daily interactions with different textures such as you, blankets, and simple toys. You can also use household items such as plastic bowls, cups, wooden spoons, or spatulas. These are great toys for baby’s little hands to give input to the tactile system.
Baby starts to develop hand-eye coordination as baby reaches for and grasps objects. Sensory toys can also improve hand-eye coordination as fine motor skills continue to develop.
Visual System Sensory Play for Toddlers and Babies
The visual system processes and makes sense of what the eyes see. Visual sensory play and learning activities should encourage problem solving, and they should encourage exploring indoors AND outdoors.
Outdoor time provides a great sensory experience for the whole child, but also helps with the development of far vision.
Visual sensory activities should include a variety of different colors, different sizes, and different shapes.
And most importantly, they should not be provided through a screen for babies and toddlers. Screen time negatively impacts a child’s cognitive development (and overall development!)
Visual System Toys for Toddlers
Visual Toys for Babies
Babies are entertained by everyday visual interactions such as your face, your expressions, and everything that you walk around and look at inside and outside.
Offer natural light and visual toys and objects with high contrast when baby is awake.
(Toys in the tactile section also offer visual system input during sensory play.)
Auditory Toys for Babies and Toddlers
You can easily provide auditory input every day as you talk, sing, and read books to your baby and toddler. Pay attention to and talk about the different sounds that you hear around you.
Music can be played in the background, WITHOUT a screen!
Enjoy these best sensory toys and ideas for your babies and toddlers! Young children learn best through simple sensory play and through routine interactions with you!
By choosing sensory activities using various materials and toys, you will improve the sensory integration in your young child. Improved sensory integration reduces the likelihood of sensory challenges, and it helps with learning in children of all ages.
Check out the following pages for ideas for preschool and school-age children:
- Sensory Systems and Learning – Toys for Preschool Kids (2024)
- Occupational Therapy Sensory Toys for School-Age Children (2024)
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