You might have heard of the term sensory play, but do you know exactly what it is? Sensory play helps babies learn about their world through the five senses of smell, sight, touch, hearing and taste.
And the best sensory toys will help promote that development through a range of activities that are designed to stimulate the senses. Messy play and noisy play, like rattles and Play-Doh are good examples.
The benefits of sensory toys and play can include developing language skills, fine motor skills, and inducing a sense of calm by relieving boredom. It helps build nerve connections in the brain’s pathways to help baby complete tasks, and also increases brain activity.
From play gyms to soft books, we’ve rounded up the best sensory toys for babies below, so they can have fun and learn all at the same time.
1. Fisher-Price Perfect Sense Deluxe Gym
This ultra-fun (machine washable) play mat with a supportive tummy time wedge is the ideal spot for your little explorer to embark on a sensory adventure.
It boasts 21 sensory discoveries to engage all five senses, and five moveable toys with sensory elements: a light-up musical otter, scented cloud, discovery mirror, leaf teether, and a plush sloth.
An activity gym that’s suitable from birth and will see them through the early learning years.
2. Tomy Toomies Hide and Squeak Eggs, Educational Shape Sorter
The Hide and Squeak Eggs sensory toy will hold baby’s attention as each chick chirps when pressed. The eggs each have different facial expressions and when you open them up the chicks are different colours.
Great for visual and auditory stimulation for babies and, as they turn into toddlers, they can also colour match, play hide and seek, and try shape sorting when putting the eggs together. Over 7,000 positive ratings on Amazon, this one’s a no-brainer.
3. Baby Music Set
Okay, you might need ear plugs for this one – but baby will love it.
The brightly-coloured wooden instruments include castanets, maracas and a rattle, and are visually stimulating as well as being great for auditory development.
Baby can learn all about different sounds while having lots of fun at the same time.
4. Taggies Hedgehog Toy
How cute is this cuddly little hedgehog? Perfect for all those babies that just love pulling on your clothes tags.
Visually stimulating as well as soothing and entertaining for baby, he’ll make the most adorable bed buddy.
Price: £18, Jojo Maman Bebe – buy here now
5. Tomy Lamaze Rusty the Robot
Capture your baby’s imagination with this senses-stimulating toy that’s bursting with developmental features.
Rusty features crinkle ribbons, clanking rings, busy beads, and a discovery mirror, and can also be attached to play mats, nappy bags, and strollers for on-the-go fun.
Rusty also has two faces and two sides to his body so you can mix and match the two together. Hours of fun for little hands.
Price: £15, Argos – buy here now
6. Skip Hop Explore & More Mix and Match Book
Babies are never too young to start on a good book. If they’re not ready for reading, they can have hours of fun with a textural exploring book instead.
You can mix and match the cute characters inside this one, helping to make existing animals alongside all new ones, great for learning while letting the imagination run wild.
There’s also crinkles, squeaks, rattles, and easy-to-grab pages for lots of excitement and giggles.
7. VTech Lights and Stripes Zebra
This soft and cuddly toy also comes with lots of fun and stimulating features, like crinkly paper hooves and ears in colourful patterns to encourage interaction.
Language development is supported by the zebra’s tummy, which plays music, songs and phrases when pressed.
And there’s 15 melodies and three singalong songs to encourage auditory development.
8. Early Learning Centre Sensory Stacking Rings
A really fun little game for babies from around six months old. They have to stack different textured rings onto the rocking base and then place the giraffe’s head on top.
It’s great for learning about sequences and different sizes, for seeing different colours, feeling different textures, and for chewing.
Baby can have fun pushing and wobbling the stack, too.
9. Lamaze Freddie The Firefly Clip on Pram Toy
With over 10,000 rave reviews on Amazon, it’s safe to say Freddie the Firefly is a definitive hit.
Why? He’s a bit of everything in one: A huggable soft toy that’s great for cuddling and encourages tactile stimulation; one of the best sensory toys, with contrasting patterns, a discovery mirror, crinkle wings, click-clack rings, and a squeaker; comes with a pullout teether that helps soothes discomfort; and he’s highly versatile as you can attach him to the car seat, pushchair, cot or pram.
Your baby can chew while playing and learning, and also bring thoroughly entertained.
10. Infantino Sensory Textured Multi Ball Set
This ball set is a great investment as it’s a brilliant sensory toy for babies but is also fun as they get older, too.
The sensory-sparking toys come in bright colours and are all different textures in varying shapes and sizes.
Ideal for sensory exploration, tactile development and gross motor skills.
