Written by
Emma Bennett
19th Jan 2024
Sensory play is something you have probably heard of, but you may be wondering what it actually is and how it can benefit your baby. Here we will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about sensory toys for babies, and share 20 of the best baby sensory toys that you can buy right now.
What is a sensory toy?
So, what is a sensory toy, exactly? Well, the term sensory toy refers to any toy that stimulates your baby’s hearing, sight, touch, taste, or sense of smell. Some sensory toys are focused on stimulating one of the senses, but many offer a multi-sensory experience for little ones.
The benefits of sensory toys for babies
Introducing sensory play to your baby by using sensory toys brings a whole host of benefits:
Engages baby’s senses
The most obvious benefit of using baby sensory toys is that they engage your baby’s senses. This is crucial as your baby uses their sensory experiences to build their understanding of the world around them. For example, touching different textures builds the foundation for understanding the attributes of different materials.
Supports development
Babies learn best through play, and sensory toys can be used to help support your baby’s natural development. When your baby’s senses are stimulated, it strengthens neural connections in the brain as they process this new information and develop their understanding. Building these neural pathways provides the basis for more complex learning in the future, such as developing memory skills and problem-solving.
Encourages babies to master key skills
Many of your baby’s key skills can be developed through sensory play. From building fine motor skills to developing spatial awareness, sensory toys can help with so many aspects of your child’s learning. Using sensory toys can also help babies to understand basic concepts such as cause and effect.
Offer fun and entertainment
As well as being educational, sensory play is also a lot of fun. The stimulating experience offered by discovering different music and sounds, and textures is exciting for babies. Sensory play is also an excellent opportunity to enjoy some quality play time with your little one.
Provides comfort
While some sensory toys can excite your baby’s senses, others offer comfort. Sensory toys that have soothing music, gentle lights, or comforting textures can have a calming effect on babies while also contributing to their sensory development.
What age are sensory toys suitable for?
It is never too early to introduce your baby to sensory toys. In fact, there is an excellent choice of sensory toys for newborns available, so you can introduce your baby to sensory play at a very young age.
Most baby sensory toys have interactive elements and are designed for babies aged from six months and over. But, whatever your baby’s age and stage, you can be sure there are sensory toys available to match.
The types of sensory toys available
There is a huge number of sensory toys available, so it is helpful to understand some of the main types before you start shopping. Here are some of the different types of baby sensory toys to look out for:
Sensory Chew Toys
Sensory chew toys perform a dual function. Not only do these toys help to stimulate your baby’s senses, but their textured surface also provides relief for sore gums during teething.
Sensory Fidget Toys
Sensory fidget toys help to keep little fingers occupied as they explore different textures. Sensory fidget toys designed for babies are designed to be tactile and small enough for tiny hands. These fidget toys can help babies to master fine motor skills used for everyday movements, such as pressing buttons.
Newborn Sensory Toys
Sensory toys for newborns are the ideal introduction to sensory play for the youngest babies. Sensory toys for newborns often feature lights, sounds, or soft textures. These simple sensory toys do not require too much interaction from your baby but still provide them with a sensory experience.
30 of the Best Sensory Toys for Babies
1. Infantino Seek & Squish Gel-Pouch Pal
The Infantino Seek & Squish Gel-Pouch Pal is a cute choice if you are looking for newborn sensory toys. Your baby’s senses will be stimulated by the squishy texture of the gel, fiddly tags, and colourful design. Suitable from birth.
£15.99 
Shop(opens in a new window)
2. Baby Einstein Curiosity Clutch
Sensory fidget toys are an excellent way to keep babies entertained. The Baby Einstein Curiosity Clutch offers tonnes of sensory fidget fun. Babies can pop, rattle, spin, twist, press, and flip the Curiosity Clutch as they explore this sensory toy. Suitable for babies aged three months and over.
3. Fat Brain Toy Co. InnyBin
The InnyBin is a shape sorter with a difference. Babies can develop their fine motor skills and enjoy tactile play as they push the textured shapes through the elasticated bands. This colourful toy features six textured shapes. Suitable for babies aged 10 months and over.
£19.99 
Shop(opens in a new window)
4. Little Senses Baby Maracas
These Baby Maracas are from the Early Learning Centre Little Senses range. This set of two maracas offers an exciting sensory experience for babies. Babies can shake the maraca with beads to hear them rattle. The other maraca has glowing lights that change colour, electronic melodies, and sounds. Suitable for ages six to 36 months.
5. Baby Einstein Ocean Glow Sensory Shaker
The Ocean Glow Sensory Shaker is the perfect newborn sensory toy for little ones. This adorable jellyfish toy features colour-changing lights, melodies, and textured rope tentacles. This Ocean Glow Sensory Shaker is the perfect size for baby to take out and about. Suitable from birth.
£14.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
6. Playgro Explor-A-Ball
The Explor-A-Ball is packed with sensory fun for babies. Babies can explore their senses as they discover the silky ribbons, click-clacking balls, and moveable beads. This interactive toy is suitable for babies aged from six months and over.
7. Little Senses Shake and Play Tambourine
Introduce your baby to music making from a young age with this sensory stimulating Shake and Play Tambourine from the Early Learning Centre. The tambourine has three different play modes to suit baby’s age and stage. Young babies can shake the tambourine to enjoy the colour-changing lights and melodies. As your baby grows, they can enjoy matching the sound effects and colours. Suitable for ages nine months and over.
8. Clementoni Soft Clemmy Touch and Play Sensory Ball
Stimulate your little one’s sight and sense of touch with the Soft Clemmy Touch and Play Sensory Ball. The colourful ball is made from four sections with different colours and textures. Four soft blocks are included which can be stacked, squished and posted into the ball. Suitable for babies aged six months and over.
£14.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
9. Baby Einstein Tummy Time Water Play Mat
Add some sensory fun to your baby’s tummy time with the help of this Baby Einstein Tummy Time Water Play Mat. Your baby can touch and explore the texture of this water-filled mat to make the six sea creatures inside move around. Suitable from birth.
£12.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
10. B. Snugglies Squeezy Zeeby
This squeaky sensory toy is perfect for your little music maker. Squeezy Zeeby is a sensory accordion that can be stretched and squished to make music. As well as stimulating your baby’s hearing, Squeezy Zeeby also treats their other senses with different textures and contrasting colours. Suitable for babies aged from six months.
£18.95 Shop(opens in a new window)
11. Cheeky Chompers Sensory Teething Toy: Bertie the Lion
Teething babies will love this Bertie the Lion sensory teething toy. The toy features sensory textures and makes a rattle sound. This handy toy is designed to fit around your baby’s wrist. Suitable from birth.
12. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Activity Caterpillar
This colourful caterpillar toy is based on the ever popular The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book. This caterpillar will stimulate your baby’s senses. The toy squeaks, rattles, crinkles, and plays ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.’ Suitable from birth.
£29.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
13. Playgro Clip Clop Sensory Garden Activity Gift Pack
If you are searching for sensory toys for newborns this gift pack is jam-packed with them! This Clip Clop Sensory Garden Activity Gift Pack contains four toys designed to develop your baby’s sense of touch, hearing, and sight. The set includes one leaf rattle, one apple rattle, one leaf teether, and one Clip Clop activity friend. Suitable from birth.
£14.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
14. Galt Toys Soft Blocks
These soft blocks from Galt Toys provide babies with a fun sensory experience and so many different ways to play. These Soft Blocks feature colourful pictures and can be squished, stacked, and thrown by babies. This handy set of blocks is machine washable. Suitable from age six months.
£17.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
15. VTech Baby Touch & Feel Sensory Keys
The Vtech Baby Touch & Feel Sensory Keys will stimulate your baby’s senses by promoting visual and tactile awareness. These keys feature over 40 songs, melodies, phrases, and sounds. This Vtech toy is made from 45% plant-based plastic and suitable for ages three months and over.
£14.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
16. Hape Rotating Music Box
Babies can enjoy musical fun with this music box. Little ones can twist the music box and watch the colourful shapes rotate as the music plays. Suitable for babies from birth.
£21.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
17. Sophie the Giraffe Baby Teether Toy
The Sophie the Giraffe Baby Teether remains one of the most popular sensory chew toys available. This classic toy is soft and flexible and ideal for baby to chew. Sophie the Giraffe squeaks and laughs when she is squeezed and is made from natural rubber. Suitable from birth.
18. LAMAZE Fun with Colours Soft Book
This Lamaze soft book will provide sensory fun for your baby at home and on the go. Simply clip this cloth book to your buggy for sensory exploration while you are out and about. This colourful book features different textures and elements to keep baby entertained. Suitable from birth.
19. FunTime Rainbow Rainmaker
The Rainbow Rainmaker is a simple sensory toy that babies and toddlers love. Babies will be fascinated by the bright colours of the Rainbow Rainmaker and will love to hear the sound the beads make when the Rainmaker is tipped upside down and the beads start to flow. Suitable from ages six months and over.
20. VTech Baby Discovery Sea Turtle Soft Toy
If you are looking for sensory toys for baby that have eco-friendly credentials, this VTech turtle toy is a perfect choice. The Baby Discovery Sea Turtle Soft Toy features fabric and stuffing made from 100 percent recycled plastic. Different textures, sounds, and music help to promote your baby’s sensory development. Suitable for ages from three months and over.
£27.99 Shop(opens in a new window)
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