My baby has just turned one and is really starting to play more with toys now. I’m aware that sensory play is hugely important at this age. Research shows that it helps build nerve connections in the brain. This helps the child’s ability to perform more complex learning tasks. I wanted to make sure I’m providing activities and toys to support this.
What is sensory play?
Sensory play is any activity that helps stimulate the child’s senses. These are touch, smell, movement, taste, balance, sight and sound. Playing and exploring things using their senses helps them learn what is safe. It builds connections in the brain to help them process and respond to things.
What’s in the box?
In our sensory play box we have the following:
- Mirror
- Jingle bells
- Foil blanket
- Different textured/coloured balls
- Clear tubes with different items inside
- Pine cones
- Bubble wrap
- Touch and feel books
- Rain sound maker
- Noisy books
The clear plastic tubes I bought as a set of 12 empty ones from Amazon. I then filled them with items from around the house including pasta, rice, googley eyes, buttons, etc. I added some small plastic toys from the big kids toy box for interest. They were super easy to make and you can change what’s inside them. This will give variety and keep baby interested. Asa loaves to shake his. I often see him really looking at what’s inside too.
Another fun sensory play activity we have is a water mat. I bought this turtle shaped one from Amazon. It has little sea creature shapes inside that move as you press down on the mat.
Tuff trays are really popular for sensory play. They are large plastic trays that can be used in so many ways. Great for messy play too. I might try doing some squirty cream and cooked pasta play with Asa.
If you have any sensory play ideas please share them in the comment below. Have fun!
You can’t beat a bit of sensory play.
All my kids loved playing with the foil blankets when they were little.
Such an inexpensive thing to get too.
Asa was a bit afraid of his so I cut off a smaller piece but now he loves it
These are great! Sensory play is so important and fun too!
It’s so much fun!
Sensory play is why so many toddlers love our kitchen cupboards. All those interesting plastic containers, pots and pans plus cooking utensils – all different shapes, feels and the sounds they make. What fun!!
Yes Asa is obsessed with the cupboard that has all my tupperware in! I often give him spoons to tap them with.
Brilliant ideas, be great to have hidden away and bring out now and again to keep them occupied
Yes that’s exactly what I do. I rotate his toys around every week as well as having the separate sensory box.
These are so lovely! I miss those baby days of sensory play – it is so good for children.
It’s really good for them isn’t it x
Those ideas for sensory play are great. My daughter loved it when she was a toddler.
Sensory play is so important isn’t it. This looks like a great idea for parents to recreate.