Sensory toys play an essential role in stimulating an infant’s senses and promoting their cognitive and motor development.
The best forms of sensory toys for infants include:
- Soft Textured Toys: Plush toys with different textures, such as furry, smooth, and rough surfaces, help stimulate a baby’s sense of touch.
- Rattles: Rattles produce sound when shaken, introducing infants to cause-and-effect relationships and helping develop their auditory skills.
- Teething Toys: Teething toys made of safe materials provide relief and encourage oral exploration, supporting a baby’s sensory and motor development.
- Activity Gyms: These play mats come with hanging toys, mirrors, and textured surfaces to encourage infants to reach, grab, and explore their surroundings.
- Sensory Balls: Soft and textured balls in different sizes and colors promote tactile exploration and hand-eye coordination.
- Musical Toys: Musical toys, such as xylophones or toy keyboards, introduce infants to different sounds and rhythms, stimulating their auditory senses.
- Visual Stimulation Toys: Mobiles or toys with contrasting colors, patterns, and moving elements engage an infant’s visual senses and foster visual tracking.
- Sensory Books: Soft or board books with various textures, flaps, and interactive elements provide tactile stimulation and support early literacy development.
Babies love the sounds, tastes, textures, colors, and patterns of truly unique toys. We have compiled a short list below. You’ll love that they’re affordable and easy to care for.
Best On the Go
Baby Einstein Musical
- Loved by moms
- Switch between 10 total melodies
- Volume control
Best Spinning Toy
Fat Brain Toys Spin Again
- BPA-free
- 2016 Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award
- Set of 6 vibrant, graduated discs
Best Multicolored & Multi-textured
Sassy Developmental Ball
- Multiple textures & materials
- Gentle rattle sounds
- Bright colors & bold patterns
Best for Babies
Manhattan Toy Atom
- Suitable for newborns
- Perfectly sized for baby hands
- Free of BPA and PVC
Best for Chewing
Dino-Sore-No-More
- Made of food-grade silicone
- Stimulate baby’s overall senses
- Brightly colored
Best Musical Baby Toy
Musical Bus
- Multifunctional
- 8 nursery rhymes
- Flashing lights
Best Stuffed Toy
Skip Hop Baby
- PVC-free and phthalate-free
- Perfect for multi-sensory play
- Textured surface bandana teething toy
Best Crinkly Toy
Taggies Crinkle Me Toy
- Nice size for holding
- Machine washable
- Colorful pattern
Best for Stacking
Infantino Discover Blocks
- Squeezable, stackable fun
- Textured, brightly colored fabrics
- Action-packed discovery cubes
Best Floor Fun
Tiny Love Gymini
- Soft fabric and engaging textures
- 18 developmental activities
- Easy to store
Remember to choose toys that are age-appropriate, safe, and free from small parts that can pose a choking hazard. Always supervise infants during playtime and ensure the toys are in good condition.
