For healthy development, The child’s senses must be stimulated from birth or even during pregnancy.
Between 0 and 6 months, this stimulation comes mainly from the caregivers..
The best learning resources are MOM and DAD!
Yes! You read this right…
Parents must spend quality time with their baby; by looking at him, talking to him, touching his body, and feeding him…
Your baby smells your smell, discovers the taste of food, touches your soft skin and rough beards!
Not surprising…
He also touches your clothes, listens to your words and house’ sounds, and observes the simple shapes and colors, especially the faces of those around…
To get a better idea; this article will introduce:
- Why are sensory toys essential for babies?
- The top 10 baby sensory toys for babies
- What to consider when buying these toys
- ..and a lot More!
So get your child’s heart back and have fun with your kids.
It’s the key to success…!
Related: Sensory Games and Toys For Children: Are They Really Important?
- Introduction
- 1 – Fisher Price Kick And Play Piano Gym And Maracas
- 2 – Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball Review
- 3 – Infantino Sensory Balls Blocks & Buddies
- 4 – VTech Soft and Smart Sensory Cube
- 5 – Infantino Pat & Play Water Mat Review
- 6 – Hape Pound And Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone
- 7 – Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler
- 8 – BeeSpring Kid Baby Crib Cot Pram Hanging Rattles Spiral Stroller Car Seat Toy
- Buyers’ Guide: How To Choose The Best Sensory Toys For Babies
- FAQ
- Our Verdict: Best Sensory Toy For Babies
- Conclusion: Best Sensory Toys For Babies
Introduction
Now, you might be wondering why t bother with sensory toys to develop sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste?
Sensory toys are essential for many reasons!
Stimulate The Kid’s Senses
Children learn by manipulating, by experimenting, by doing big damage, by trial and error.
The main thing the kid needs to do is PLAY.
And it is through this fantastic universe that the child flourishes, grows and learns new things.
To Keep The Baby Occupied:
Parents would love to stay with their little ones all day and night long!
But in real life, that is not possible or doable…
You have to prepare food, take care of other children, manage the house, etc.
Sensory toys allow the baby to be busy for a while and provide hours of freedom for you to do other things!
Getting Themselves Involved and Discovered:
Toys play an essential role in development because it encourages babies to use their different senses to understand their environment.
Babies and children learn and remember information faster by stimulating their senses.
Your child needs this separation to gain independence and to have their own experiences, no matter how small.
Carpets, cubes, paintings, brightly colored balls…
Toy manufacturers are overflowing with imagination to create something to brighten up their waking moments.
It Boils Down To This:
For a visual, auditory, or tactile experience to be effective, you must verbalize the sensations he discovers while using the toy with your baby.
Things like naming the surfaces (soft, rough, prickly, grainy …), colors, shapes, and sounds.
A Rule Of Thumb: Always devote a little time with him when your child receives a new game!
We are telling you.. You ALWAYS remain essential!
1 – Fisher Price Kick And Play Piano Gym And Maracas
Best Sensory Toys For Babies 12 Months
Bottom Line: This gym mat has various play moods to allow your kid to explore different types of sensory input.
Pros
Four different play moods
It’s large playing surface with soft fabric
It’s bright and has high contrast colors
Encourages the baby’s visual stimulation
Cons
On the pricey side
Are you looking for a playmat that grows with your baby?
Well, this is the best one to choose…
With its large size, this multi-activity gym mat from Fisher-Price offers an excellent playing surface.
The colors are bright for a visual exploration of quality.
Most importantly,
It’s padded for more comfortable use and offers different activities that are suitable for different ages.
Your baby can lay down and enjoy some tummy time or sit down and build his core strength while exploring the different sounds, colors, and surfaces around him.
Parents love the play gym’s portability. It can be folded, transported, and stored easily.
2 – Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball Review
Best Toys For Fine Motor Skills
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a soft toy to encourage your baby’s motor skills, this ball is right for you.
Pros
Small size for the little hands
Has different textures
Has easy to grab bumps
Lightweight and soft
Cons
Some of the plastic fibers might come out
Less quality than other toys
It might be big for some infants
Using this ball for little hands helps little ones develop fine motor skills while providing a sensory learning experience.
This baby ball toy is deceptively simple…
It looks like a passive object that is just kicked, thrown, and rolled (to the kids’ delight).
But in fact,
It is a critical developmental toy that helps engage the child as it moves in different directions and grabs the baby’s attention!
Plus, this cute ball has a rattling sound that creates neural connections in your baby’s brain from day one until around three years of age.
Most importantly,
The bright colors in this toy strengthen your baby’s vision and focus from an early stage.
Keep in mind, though,
If your baby starts to bite it hard, some of the white inside fluff might come out and cause hazard choking.
3 – Infantino Sensory Balls Blocks & Buddies
Best Sensory Toys For Gross Motor Skills
Bottom Line: These toys develop the senses of sight, touch, and motor skills by stacking the cubes or throwing the balls, and the language when you count and name the different items.
Pros
Bright and varied colors
Various textures and shapes
Development of different senses, motor skills, and language
Cons
Some parts are huge for little babies
The Senso Set Infantino is a set of 20 colorful sensory toys, including different colors, shapes, and textures to awaken your baby.
This transparent storage and transport case has eight balls, eight cubes, and four animals in soft and flexible PVC.
Added bonus: It works as a sensory teether toy!
It comes in different sizes and different textures; ribbed, with holes, or with pins. The one with larger roughness is beneficial for little ones to put their teeth there.
Above all, these are educational toys as well…
The cubes are numbered in numbers and constellations on two sides and feature animals on the other four.
This allows children to learn to count, develop their language, and build towers.
The animals, which can change depending on the boxes delivered, are the baby’s playmates.
Soft and flexible materials..
This set is suitable for children from birth.
The bright colors catch their eye and encourage eye contact while looking at the different objects.
The good news?
..some balls are perfect for sore gums at the time of teething.
As these toys are different in size, we recommend you give them to your kid once he turns around 4-6 months to be able to hold them.
Keep in mind, though,
You can NOT take them inside the tub while giving a shower for your baby, as these toys can be wipe-clean only.
4 – VTech Soft and Smart Sensory Cube
The Best Sensory Box For Babies
Bottom Line: This is a portable, soft, and cute sensory box perfect for babies three months and up. It is a favorite sensory toy for little ones.
Pros
Has many activities in a minimum of space
Contains visual, tactile, and sound activities
Portable size for on the go fun
Cons
Can be noisy
This fun sensory toy is a cube that contains six faces of multiple and varied activities. Besides, an interior hides three plastic balls with various reliefs and a mirror under the face that lifts.
Enhances the touch sense..
This toy is covered with various fabrics and figurines to develop the baby’s sense of touch.
Best part?
The box has two small apple-shaped teething rattles that provide relief during teething, and you can just put them in the diaper bag!
The sensory cube is very colorful; it alternates bright colors and very marked graphics, some in black and white to accentuate the contrast.
The sense of sight is thus greatly stimulated.
These All-in-one cubes are ideal for on the go fun.
The front is interactive and creates imaginative play: the little puppy lights up when the baby shakes the cube, which might cause the baby to laugh and make funny noises.
If the child presses 1, 2, or 3, the toy announces the number or the color of the pellet.
What parents love is the convenient and practical design: The cube has a large handle, allowing the baby to hold it firmly and carry it on the go.
The sounds are loud, though!
For the comfort of adults, volume control is there to adjust the sound level.
Keep in mind that it works with 2 LR03 / AAA batteries included and can be cleaned only with a damp cloth.
5 – Infantino Pat & Play Water Mat Review
Best Baby Water Mat For Tummy Time
Bottom Line: This water-filled sensory toy allows your baby to experiment the fluid dynamics and cause and effect relationships.
Pros
Colorful with cute lights
The sea creatures move in different directions and get the baby’s attention
Cons
The figurines might stick together
This sensory game is a small soft plastic sensory mat in the shape of a whale. You can place it on the floor or on any surface (like the shelf of a high chair) to occupy a baby from 3 months.
It has two parts:
The tower inflates to shape the whale, and the belly is to be filled with water, allowing the six small figures placed inside to float.
Crab, turtle, starfish, octopus, and fish move under pressure exerted by the baby’s tiny hands.
A fun introduction to fluid dynamics..
The bright colors of this early learning toy attract your baby.
The red, green, yellow, purple, and orange of the aquatic animals stand out against the blue background of the whale.
Then he experiences the phenomenon of flotation and fluid dynamics.
By pressing on one side of the whale, the figures move to the other side.
Best part?
Its design is portable!
This game, when empty, is very light and easily folds up to fit into luggage. So a baby can play it on vacation, for example.
Keep in mind, though,
Always have an eye on the child when playing because his curious little hands could come and open the valve located at the back.
Last but not least, you can clean the Plastic with a damp cloth.
6 – Hape Pound And Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone
The Best Sensory Cube For Toddlers
Bottom Line: This multifunctional toy helps your kid explore the world of different sounds.
Pros
Safe for kids wooden design
Durable material
Cons
The xylophone might not give an accurate tone
The balls might be stuck on the holes instead of rolling down
This toy is a combination of knocking piano and xylophone.
Here is how it works:
After the baby knocks the small ball on the toy, the ball rolls off the xylophone, and the xylophone will make a pleasant sound.
Knocking can exercise your baby’s arm strength and exercise hand-eye coordination.
Best Part?
The xylophone can also be taken out separately and let the baby strike by himself to cultivate his sensitivity to the rhythm and rhythm.
In particular, the handle of this small hammer is relatively thick, which is safer for toddlers.
The hammer with a thin handle is easy to stab the baby.
Most importantly,
The craft is also perfect; there are no burrs, rounded corners do not hurt the kids’ hands, and they use environmentally friendly water-based paint.
Keep in mind, though; wooden toys usually heavy and make loud sound if your baby throw they on the floor!
7 – Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler
Best Musical Toys For 6 Month Old To 12 Years
Bottom Line: This Penguin Wobbler provides different interaction elements. The round bottom gives a cause-and-effect experience for the baby to practice.
Pros
Simple and cute design
Perfect for gross motor skills
Cons
Not as durable as other toys
Average quality
On the heavy side
This penguin music tumbler will keep shaking with the baby’s touch, and its wings will also stir.
The appearance is cute, and the colors are bright for the baby to enjoy…
At the same time, there will be soft and sweet music in the penguin to soothe the baby’s emotions.
The baby can interact with the penguin tumbler under soft music and perceive the relationship between balance and power.
The best part?
Hape’s toys are very well made, round and without burrs, and have excellent and various textures.
8 – BeeSpring Kid Baby Crib Cot Pram Hanging Rattles Spiral Stroller Car Seat Toy
Best Car Seat Toys For Infants
Bottom Line: This hanging toy is lightweight, portable, and works for a baby crib, car seat, or stroller.
Pros
Great portable design
Bright colors to attract the baby
Soft and lightweight
Cons
Not strong enough to stay in place
If used by teethers, the stuffing might come out
Not so durable
This toy has hanging figures that encourage little ones to reach, pull, and squeeze, which naturally develop the baby’s tactile senses and hand and eye coordination.
Cute and fun design..
The charming and different texture design will ensure its practicability and popularity as a baby toy.
Your baby will love to play very much with its soft touch and exquisite appearance.
Above all,
It is a perfect toy for the car seat, baby stroller, or crib.
This spiral has lovely color and design and helps keep the baby occupied for a reasonable period – especially while traveling!
Keep in mind, though,
The quality of the fabrics is not as many parents expected. Some said that the stuffing came out while the baby was pulling it down and biting the edges.
Buyers’ Guide: How To Choose The Best Sensory Toys For Babies
Here are the criteria to take into account when offering a sensory toy to a baby:
Follow The Safety Standards:
To ensure that a toy is not dangerous for a child, always check the toys’ instructions.
Regarding sensory games, if it says “not suitable for children under three years” or an equivalent pictogram, then do not present it to a little one.
This means that it contains small elements which could be dangerous.
Consider Your Baby’s Age:
The sensory toy must be appropriate for the age of the child. In general, the packaging mentions this.
Indeed, a baby who is too small will have no interest in being offered a toy that he cannot handle and may turn away from it.
It is not surprising…
A few months later, it may be his favorite game!
Likewise, a child who is too big may find a toy too “baby” and abandon it.
That said, parents must explain to them how to use the toy properly to get the most out of it. (P.S. babies learn very fast..)
Related: Best Toys For Babies 0-12 Months Old
Choose an Attractive Toy:
A sensory toy should be attractive to you and your baby.
The truth is..
What you like and think is cute and great may not appeal to your baby, who doesn’t see things the way you do.
Now, here is what you need to know:
For a toy to develop a baby’s senses, the colors should be bright and contrasting, even if you love pastel tones.
Certain noises or songs, hilarious for a child, are quickly unbearable for his parents.
It’s up to you to see where your tolerance level is without it triggering frustration in your toddler! Oops!
Choose Your Preferred Material:
As for the visuals, the materials are essential, and it depends on your tastes in terms of children’s toys.
Fabric, wood, Plastic…
It is rare for a sensory toy to be satisfied with only one material. Its goal is to present diverse and varied surfaces to develop the senses of touch.
The most favorite sensory toys come with different textures and suitable materials!
Operation Method:
Some games with visual and sound effects require batteries.
For the toy to retain its attractiveness, it is then necessary to apply certain protections.
Always make sure that they are not damaged and work properly.
If you choose to machine-wash the toys, make sure to take the batteries out.
So take this criterion into account at the time of purchase.
Think About Cleaning Method:
A sensory toy intended for children under three usually ends up in their slobbery little mouths.
But not only that…
It is also often used on the ground!
Therefore, you should wash it regularly, either by hand or machine wash.
To make things easy for you, consider getting machine or dishwasher-safe toys!
Prefer a Portable Design:
The sensory toy is sometimes one of the only toys for little babies.
So expect to carry it everywhere.
Some come with a foldable design or a handy storage box; that’s a real plus.
It all depends on the toys’ material and design…
FAQ
Q1: Why are sensory toys good for babies?
Sensory play is an excellent way to enjoy life and renew the child’s day. It may be considered one of the means that attract the child to achieve excellence in different areas. Sensory play may affect the child’s encouragement to use the senses to solve his life problems, such as sight, smell, touch, and sound. Other than the senses, the child’s morals, feelings, social skills, mental, language, and physical skills are developed by stimulating his senses while playing with them.
Q2: What age should you start to give the baby sensory toys?
From the early days! Sensory play is one of the most important forms of early years play. From birth, the child already has several basic sensory abilities that will improve throughout childhood. Parents must accompany the child in the discovery and arrange the playing method according to his age and preferences.
Q3: Do newborns need sensory toys?
During the first three months, the baby goes through many upheavals. Little by little, he begins to find the way around better, as he is still in a phase of sensory development.
Q4: Which birth toys to choose for a newborn?
At birth, a baby already has many things to discover. No need, therefore, to saturate his senses with a multitude of toys. The recommended toys at this age are a soft toy, light rattle, and music box.
Our Verdict: Best Sensory Toy For Babies
Choosing suitable sensory toys relies mainly on the kid’s age.
With many different options available on the market, we covered and reviewed the top sensory and discovery toys that many parents recommend for babies.
To help you with your purchasing decision, we relied on our personal experience (as parents), products description, and parents’ feedback..
That’s being said,
In our comparison, the main things that we considered are the value for money, variety of activities, toys’ design, and durability.
Now, it is time for you to take a look at the comparison results below..
| Product | Rating out of 5 |
| Fisher Price Kick And Play Piano Gym And Maracas | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Infantino Sensory Balls Blocks & Buddies | ⭐ 4.25 |
| Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball Review | ⭐ 4.0 |
| Infantino Pat & Play Water Mat Review | ⭐ 3.75 |
| Hape Pound And Tap Bench With Slide Out Xylophone | ⭐ 3.75 |
| VTech Soft and Smart Sensory Cube | ⭐ 3.5 |
| BeeSpring Kid Baby Crib Cot Pram Hanging Rattles Spiral Stroller Car Seat Toy | ⭐ 3.5 |
| Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler | ⭐ 3.0 |
Based on our definitive review of each of the listed Sensory Toys:
The Fisher-Price Deluxe Piano Gym & Maracas item came up as a top performer. It combines the well-made design with a variety of games to keep the baby occupied.
Next came the Infantino Sensory Balls Blocks & Buddies with its benefits of developing the gross motor skill of babies by throwing and following the shapes all around.
The Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball reserved third place in the list. It is an attractive and soft toy for little kids that helps develop their fine motor skills. The only downside of this little toy is that it is not so durable!
The Infantino Water Mat and Hape Bench with Xylophone came on the fourth spot with their average overall performance.
Then came the VTech Sensory Cube and BeeSpringHanging Rattles Spiral. These are the best choices as portable sensory toys for the on-the-go situation.
Unfortunately, the Hape Penguin Musical Wobbler ended up at the bottom of the list. It is not so durable, doesn’t offer anything other than music, and the overall price is high.
Conclusion: Best Sensory Toys For Babies
Now, you made it to the last part of the review.
After the in-depth review of the Top 8 Sensory Toys for babies, it is time to present for you our Top Pick, Best Value, and Editor’s Choice sensory toys:
- The Top Pick goes to: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Piano Gym & Maracas
- The Editors’ Choice goes to: Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball
- The Best Value goes to: Infantino Sensory Balls Blocks & Buddies
By investing in one of these sensory toys, along with your participation, you will help your little one develop his FIVE senses.