Babies learn about the environment through all of their five senses, developing an ever widening sense of the world and their place within it. Learning within these early years lays an important foundation for further growth and development and providing quality sensory toys for babies invites them to actively engage with their environment – exploring and experimenting with objects, materials and textures.
This list includes 25 baby sensory toys that will help them to grow and learn through all of the stages, from 3 to 24 months. It includes sensory play mats, activity toys and awesome sensory shakers. Lots of things to crinkle and shake, feel and taste!
Looking for ideas for older children? Check out our companion list, Best Sensory Toys for Kids of All Ages.
Each item on the list is linked to Amazon (these are affiliate links) for age recommendations, further information and reviews.
25 Best Sensory Toys for Babies
6 gorgeous, textured balls. BPA free. Easy for baby to grasp.
This soft fabric ball features a range of inviting patterns and textures for baby to explore.
Beautiful, brightly colored rattle and teething toy. BPA and PVC free.
Made from food grade silicone, this textured teether is safe for baby to explore with all of their senses.
Easy to hold, musical shaker with colorful beads that create fun sounds.
Fabulous for developing visual and auditory sensory skills, rainmakers are a much loved sensory toy for babies through to preschoolers.
Nubbly textured balls that are fun to peek through!
A wooden, rainbow roller toy with hidden bell that fascinates little ones as it rolls.
Inspired by percussion instruments these mini instrument rattles are suitable for babies from 3 months of age.
A gorgeous soft toy and teether with lots of textures, sounds and patterns to explore. Great pram toy.
abies love tags and Taggies! Features 8 fabric tags for babies to explore and crinkle and squeaker sounds.
Easy to grasp, these soft blocks each feature a variety of colours, patterns, textures and sounds.
A set of colourful, tactile links to twist, squeeze, bend and smush!
Skip Hop Activity Gym and Play Mat
With multiple play mat fabrics, five multi sensory hanging toys and a baby safe mirror, this play mat provides lots of interesting opportunities for babies to explore with all of their five senses.
Perfect for tummy time and high chair play, sea creatures play and move in response to baby’s touch.
Manhattan Wimmer-Ferguson Cloth Book
A gorgeous soft fabric book with high contrast graphics, crinkle paper flaps and tactile ribbons.
Lamaze Peekaboo Forest Cloth Book
Featuring peek-a-boo flaps and fun textures to explore, the Lamaze cloth books are fabulous for encouraging babies and toddlers to discover and learn.
Develop visual, auditory and tactile skills, as baby problem solves.
Playgro Textured Stacking Rings
A fun tactile version of the classic ring stacking toy.
Each of these six wooden blocks contains a sensory secret – from a bell to a mirror and even a kaleidoscope!
A fabulous first block set, for sitting babies and toddlers.
A fun way to encourage both tactile and visual exploration with older babies. Also encourages hand-eye co-ordination, motor dexterity and problem solving.
Have fun with water with this fabulous bathtime toy for babies 12 months and older.
For more baby sensory play inspiration, check out;
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
