11 Best Sensory Toys For Babies

Published on 8/11/2023 at 11:15 AM

When it comes to buying toys for your little one, you want to get them something that will both keep them entertained and boost their development. That's why sensory toys for babies and sensory play ideas are such a buzzy topic of conversation in parenting groups, childcare centers, and on social media. But what is a sensory toy, exactly?

"A sensory toy is anything that is stimulating and interesting to a young baby or toddler," says Sarah Seeley-Dick, DO, of HMG Pediatrics in Virginia. "They help children learn to interact with their environment and practice physical and mental coordination."

Babies learn through play, so toys actually serve as little lessons for a tiny human. However, babies grow and develop so much in the first year. Dr. Seeley-Dick says it's essential to focus on finding age-appropriate toys, which can change quickly.

"For example, mirrors may be less interesting to babies under 4 months old as compared to high-contrast black-and-white images," says Dr. Seeley-Dick. "This is because their vision is not fully developed yet, and they can't focus as well as they will be able to by 6 months of age." She also suggests ensuring toys are washable for practical reasons.

It's also important to remember that while baby sensory toys can be great tools for helping a little one develop, the most essential part of a child's life can't be bought. It's you.

"Babies need interaction with people, preferably their . . . caregiver," Dr. Seeley-Dick says. "Singing, playing, and interacting with your children on a regular basis supports their social and emotional growth as well as hand-eye coordination and motor skills."

Sensory toys for infants can however serve as a launchpad for these critical interactions. This list offers options for every stage of babyhood and price point.

Melissa & Doug Multi-Sensory Soft Taco Fill & Spill Infant Toy ($20)

Get a head start on Taco Tuesday celebrations with this 12-piece toy inspired by the favorite food. The taco-fixing-inspired pieces have different textures like silk and crinkle paper, something Dr. Seeley-Dick recommends looking for in a sensory toy. "My daughter loves this toy! Easy to wash and several different textures to explore," wrote one reviewer.

Manhattan Toy Wimmer-Ferguson Mind Cubes ($28)

Dr. Seeley-Dick recommends stacking toys like blocks. But even newborns not yet capable of stacking can enjoy this option from Manhattan Toy, making it something that can grow with your child. High-contrast, black-and-white details will interest a newborn, while bright colors and different textures make this fun for older infants. Plus the soft design minimizes bumps and bruises as a baby learns to control their arms.

"These are fantastic," wrote one reviewer. "We got them when my daughter was 2 months. She is now 8 months and keeps finding new ways to play with them."

Tey Toy My First Softbook ($25)

The black, white, and red color scheme makes this book ideal for a little one with a developing vision. Pages with crinkle textures give parents ways to spice up playtime with different sounds for their new baby.

"Perfect for new babies," said one 5-star reviewer. "My daughter absolutely loves these...I stuck with a few simple black & white toys for eye development. Whether I flip pages or just prop the book up next to her, she will stare, kick, and coo at these books."

Cloud Island Farm Soft Activity Book ($15)

As infants near their half-birthdays, they become increasingly entranced by colorful objects. Their motor skills are also developing, so Dr. Seeley-Dick says they can interact more with different activities on pages. This Cloud Island Farm Soft Activity Book offers colors and engaging activities for tiny hands, such as flaps, squeaky pages, and a chance to put a basket of apples in the back of a truck.

"We're loving the Cloud Island Soft Books — this one is our favorite," commented one parent. "All the pages are crinkly, and our baby is starting to really enjoy the sounds."

Skip Hop Egg Shaker Trio ($10)

Get into the groove of sensory play with these fun shakers. Dr. Seeley-Dick says repeated rhythmic motions like those required for musical instruments help babies tune into cause and effect.

"This trio of forest friends is so cute," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "The shakers themselves are a little bit larger than a traditional egg shaker, but definitely still easy to hold for a little one."

Bright Starts Oball Shaker Rattle Toy ($4)

Rattles stimulate a baby's hearing and teach them about cause and effect. This under-$5 option from Bright Starts is designed with flexible ends that make it easy for small hands to hold, and the bright colors make it a multi-sensory toy.

"We loved this little rattle," said one parent. "It's very lightweight for baby to hold and has lots of places to grip. . . . It was one of our baby's first toys, and she still plays with it at 9 months old."

Infantino Sensory Balls, Blocks, & Buddies ($17, originally $28)

Dr. Seeley-Dick says balls encourage two-way interactions between babies and caregivers, such as rolling one back and forth. And blocks are fun for stacking. This set from Infantino, which also includes colorful animals like an elephant, gets an extra element of sensory interest from texture.

"My grandchildren (6-9 months old) love these toys," wrote a happy grandma. "[There are] several things I like about these toys. . . . They are just the right size for tiny hands. They love teething on them and rolling the balls. The bright colors always catch their attention too."

G by Gund Peek-A-Boo ($25)

This stuffy elephant has a blanket that caregivers (and eventually babies) can pull over its eyes for a playful game of peek-a-boo which promotes interaction with caregivers, Dr. Seeley-Dick says. Plus, the soft texture of this stuffy provides another soothing sensory element.

"Just what I needed for my great-grandchild," wrote a previous buyer.

Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy ($10)

Areas that babies can teeth on can provide sensory stimulation and relief, says Dr. Seeley-Dick. This Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle & Sensory Teether Toy offers many opportunities for sensory play. The bright colors, rattle, and ability to safely mouth it all make it a versatile choice.

"My little one loves this," raved a parent. "Her eyes get so big, and she'll play forever with this! It's great for fine motor skills and teething. [It's] super easy to clean."

Sassy Developmental Bumpy Ball ($12, originally $15)

Designed for infants 6 months and up, this Sassy-brand toy offers numerous opportunities for sensory engagement through bright colors and beads that allow it to double as a rattle. The multi-textured bumps also enable babies to work on their grasp.

"The colors and bubble rattle parts are very entertaining and make it easy to grasp and hold the little's attention," said a reviewer who gave the ball 5 stars. "We always bring this toy on trips."

Bebe Mondo Good Night, Baby Bear Soft Book ($16)

Bedtime routines give little ones familiarity as the day draws to a close, and books are a classic way to say goodnight. This soft book gives one last chance for sensory play before bed with different activities, such as putting baby bear in the bath and even to bed.

"My baby has had this book for 3 years, and she still loves it," said a parent. "It's one of her night-night toys. It's soft and cuddly, and the teddy bear is the cutest. What a sweet keepsake."