Your baby’s senses are developing at a rapid pace in the first year. You may not realize that her sense of touch is already quite well developed; she can even tell the difference between rough and smooth textures.
And with several exciting new toys on the market, you’ll find it easy to stimulate your child’s senses without spending a fortune on toys that will sit unused in her toy chest. Here are my top 10 picks for sensory toys for babies’ first year:
| Key Points |
|---|
| Sensory toys can provide numerous benefits for babies during their first year of life. |
| Sensory play can help promote cognitive, language, fine and gross motor, social, and emotional development. |
| There are many different types of sensory toys available, including toys that provide tactile, visual, auditory, olfactory, and gustatory stimulation. |
| Sensory toys can be beneficial for all children, not just those with special needs. |
| DIY sensory toys can be an affordable and creative way to provide your child with sensory play experiences at home. |
A Textured Ball
A textured ball is a great toy for your baby. It can be used for them to explore and learn about the different textures on their own hands, as well as for you to help them develop hand-eye coordination. Plus, it’s fun!
Sensory play is not only fun but also crucial for the development of special needs children. Our article on how sensory play can improve development discusses the benefits and importance of sensory play for children with special needs.
Musical Toys
If you want to engage your baby with music, choose a musical toy that’s built for the job. Many toys have lights or sound effects that are activated by pressing a button or spinning a dial.
Your baby’s ability to play with these kinds of toys will improve as he learns how they work, which will help him develop cause-and-effect thinking.
Musical toys can also help develop your child’s sense of rhythm and timing—essential skills for learning language, playing music and dancing later on in life!
Recommended Sensory Toys for Babies’ First Year
| Sensory Toy | Age Range | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Books | 0-12 months | Tactile stimulation, visual stimulation, language development |
| Rattles | 0-6 months | Auditory stimulation, motor skill development |
| High-Contrast Mobiles | 0-6 months | Visual stimulation, cognitive development |
| Teething Toys | 3-12 months | Oral stimulation, pain relief |
| Activity Gyms | 0-12 months | Tactile stimulation, gross motor skill development, cognitive development |
| Squeeze Toys | 6-12 months | Tactile stimulation, motor skill development |
| Stacking Toys | 6-12 months | Fine motor skill development, problem-solving skills |
| Bath Toys | 6-12 months | Tactile stimulation, sensory exploration |
| Sensory Balls | 6-12 months | Tactile stimulation, gross motor skill development |
| Musical Toys | 6-12 months | Auditory stimulation, language development |
A Stuffed Animal
A stuffed animal can be a comfort object for your baby, and it also helps them learn to identify objects.
If you notice that your little one is particularly attached to their stuffed animal, it’s quite likely they are using it as a “lovey” or “security blanket.”
This is perfectly normal and even healthy if this happens, don’t try to take their lovey away from them! Instead of taking the lovey away, find out why they like the item so much by asking questions like “do you love cuddling with your bear?” or “what does he do that makes him special?”
You should also make sure that there are plenty of other types of toys available so that kids don’t become completely reliant on one type of toy.
Sensory play is an essential part of a baby’s early development. Our article on the importance of sensory play for babies highlights the benefits of sensory play and provides useful tips on how to incorporate it into a baby’s daily routine.
Water Play
Water play is a great way to keep your baby occupied, as well as help them develop. Water play helps with language development, sensory development and fine motor skills. It’s also a great way to bond with your baby!
There are many different types of water toys for babies on the market today—as long as it’s made of soft plastic (and not glass), you should be good!
A Toothbrush
A toothbrush is a great tool for helping your baby learn about brushing. Most babies can’t hold a toothbrush, so you’ll need to do the work for them. The bristles are soft and safe enough that they won’t hurt or damage the gums of your little one, but they’re still firm enough to effectively clean those pearly whites.
It’s a good idea to keep a separate toothbrush just for your baby—you don’t want them swallowing it accidentally!
Also make sure that it gets cleaned after each use by dipping it in boiling water or running through the dishwasher every few days (or more frequently if you have an older infant).
If you prefer another material over plastic, choose something like bamboo that naturally repels bacteria growth while still being safe enough for chewing on by tiny teeth!
Don’t use any kind of dental hygiene products until your child understands how those things are used correctly; most pediatricians recommend waiting until kids can spit out foam rather than swallowing it whole before introducing these products into their routine – this typically happens around age 2!”
Sensory toys can help children build stronger muscles and improve their motor skills. Our article on sensory toys for building stronger muscles provides insight into the importance of muscle development and how sensory toys can aid in this process.
A Mirror
Babies are fascinated by their reflections. They spend hours staring at their own faces in the mirror, trying to figure out what they’re looking at and how they fit into the world around them.
Mirrors can help your child learn about themselves and develop their sense of self and body awareness.
This skill will be important later on when your baby starts interacting with other people socially, since they need to know how to make eye contact and see other people as individuals rather than just objects in the environment.
A Cardboard Box
Cardboard boxes are great for babies to play in. Babies love to sit on their sides and crawl out of the box, or use them as a tunnel by cutting holes in the sides.
Cardboard boxes can be used for more than just fun; they’re also great for teething! Simply place some frozen fruit into plastic bags and insert them into the box with your baby so that he or she can chew on them safely.
Bead Maze
A bead maze is a fun toy for your baby, and it’s also great for their sensory development. It offers an opportunity for them to explore different textures, patterns, and sounds.
Plus, it helps develop fine motor skills and that’s important when you consider how much fine-motor play is involved in eating!
You can easily make one yourself from an old cardboard box. Just cut out holes at various sizes (you want them to be different sizes so that he or she has to really use their finger strength) then fill the box with beads or rice (or both).
Put some tape on one side of the box so your little one can get his hand inside without getting stuck by sharp edges.
Creating sensory play experiences for your child doesn’t have to be expensive. Our article on 10 sensory toys you can make at home offers creative and affordable DIY solutions to provide your child with fun and stimulating sensory play experiences
Sorting Blocks
Sorting blocks are great because they can help your baby develop his or her motor skills. When you spend time with your baby sorting blocks, it allows them to practice moving the blocks around and placing them in the correct spot.
You can also use a sorting block set for other learning activities such as colors, shapes, sizes and textures.
If you want to make things more challenging for your child, try making homemade sorting blocks that require two hands to be placed into their correct spots!
Play Dough
Play dough is a great way to introduce your baby to the world of textures. You can get creative with the play dough, making it soft or hard, adding food coloring for color, or even sprinkling glitter on top. It’s also a good way for your baby to explore their hands and fingers.
Play dough provides an opportunity for you and your toddler to have fun together while learning about colors and shapes. It’s easy enough that even a young child can use this toy without help from an adult!
Sensory toys are a valuable tool for promoting children’s development in a fun and engaging way. Our article on how sensory toys can help your child’s development highlights the various benefits of sensory play and offers practical advice on how to choose the right sensory toys for your child.
Conclusion
Your baby’s first year is a time of rapid growth and development. The more you can help them learn about the world and how to interact with it, the better off they’ll be as they grow older!
We hope these ideas will give you some inspiration for introducing sensory toys into your child’s life and remember: all babies are different, so don’t worry if the toys on this list aren’t right for yours just yet!
Benefits of Sensory Play
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Development | Sensory play can help develop a child’s cognitive abilities, including memory, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. |
| Language Development | Sensory play can help develop a child’s language skills by exposing them to new words and concepts through sensory experiences. |
| Motor Skill Development | Sensory play can help develop a child’s fine and gross motor skills, including hand-eye coordination, balance, and muscle strength. |
| Social and Emotional Development | Sensory play can help children learn to regulate their emotions and develop social skills through play with others. |
| Stress Relief | Sensory play can be a calming and therapeutic activity that helps children relax and reduce stress and anxiety. |
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on sensory toys and their benefits:
Top 10 Sensory Toys for 1-Year-Olds: This article provides a list of the best sensory toys for 1-year-olds, including toys for different types of sensory play.
The Best Sensory Toys for Babies and Toddlers: This article offers a comprehensive guide to the best sensory toys for babies and toddlers, along with tips on how to choose the right toys for your child.
Sensory Toys for Babies and Toddlers: This article explains the importance of sensory play for babies and toddlers and provides a list of recommended sensory toys for different stages of development.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys designed to stimulate one or more of a child’s senses, including touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. These toys are designed to provide sensory input that can help promote a child’s development.
What are the benefits of sensory toys for children?
Sensory toys can have numerous benefits for children, including improving their cognitive and language skills, enhancing their fine and gross motor skills, promoting social and emotional development, and reducing stress and anxiety.
What types of sensory toys are available?
There are many different types of sensory toys available, including toys that provide tactile, visual, auditory, olfactory, and gustatory stimulation. Examples include textured balls, light-up toys, musical instruments, scented toys, and teething toys.
How can I choose the right sensory toys for my child?
When choosing sensory toys for your child, it’s important to consider their age and developmental stage, as well as their interests and preferences. Look for toys that provide the type of sensory input your child enjoys and that are safe and age-appropriate.
Are sensory toys only for children with special needs?
No, sensory toys can be beneficial for all children, not just those with special needs. All children can benefit from sensory play, which can help promote their overall development and well-being.
Meet Hellen James, the multi-talented writer and nurturing mother who takes young readers on a thrilling journey through her sensory-infused blog. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a parent.
