Infants and toddlers are always looking to explore their world. That’s why they love sensory toys. These toys help them learn about their new surroundings and develop critical skills, like hand-eye coordination.
However, choosing the right toy can be tricky. Your child will likely enjoy different kinds of toys as he/she grows, but you still want to buy something that’s fun for now too!
In this post we’ll talk about what makes a good sensory toy for infants and toddlers so you can find one that fits your child’s personality and interests perfectly!
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Sensory toys can aid in the development of infants and toddlers’ cognitive, physical, and social skills. |
| Sensory toys provide opportunities for exploration and learning. |
| There are various types of sensory toys available for infants and toddlers. |
| It is important to choose age-appropriate and safe sensory toys. |
| Always supervise young children when they are playing with sensory toys to ensure their safety. |
Sensory Toys
Sensory toys are a great choice for children with autism and sensory processing disorder. They help children learn about their senses, as well as providing them with an outlet to release their energy. Some sensory toys are also beneficial for children who don’t have any special needs at all!
Any parent knows that it can be difficult to keep up with a toddler’s constant need for playtime, especially when they’re getting older and more independent.
That’s where sensory toys come in: they can provide tons of entertainment without being too hard on your wallet or your sanity! Sensors allow kids to explore things like colors, shapes, textures and the best part is that these activities don’t require any reading or writing ability (yet!). Plus there’s no TV required; just put a few new toys out on the table and let them go nuts!
Sensory play is crucial for toddlers’ learning and development as it helps them explore their senses and develop their cognitive and physical skills. Learn more about the benefits of sensory play in our guide on how it can enhance learning and development for toddlers.
Baby Toy Company Reviews
This is where the fun begins!
Let’s consider some of the best sensory toys for infants and toddlers. We’ll start with a handful of top-rated, highly recommended picks.
Then we’ll dig deeper into how to choose toys that will engage your child’s senses while keeping them safe. Finally, we’ll cover what you should avoid when buying sensory toys for infants and toddlers.
Toys R Us – A store full of awesome options for every stage of toddlerhood! Toys R Us has an extensive selection of newborn toys (and even baby gear), which range from soft blankets and rattles to musical instruments and stuffed animals. If you’re looking for unique items like colorful stacking cups or interactive bath toys that encourage motor skills development, this is where you should go first!
Sensory toys can be a powerful tool in helping children manage anxiety and stress. Check out our guide on how sensory toys can help children manage anxiety and stress to learn more about the benefits of sensory play for children’s mental health
Autistic Toys
Sensory toys are a great way to help your child develop skills and learn how to interact with others. If you have an autistic child, you may be looking for toys that help them develop their social skills while also providing sensory stimulation.
Here are some of the best sensory toys for autistic children:
A large ball pit – This simple toy is great for providing a safe environment where your child can play freely. It will give them an opportunity to practice rolling over or crawling around without worrying about falling off anything or hurting themselves on sharp objects like rocks or sticks on the ground. Balls also provide auditory stimulation when they bounce around in the pit!
Foam floor mats – These mats allow kids who do not yet have the motor skills required for playing with traditional toys (e.g., puzzles) but still want something fun and engaging at home, school, daycare etcetera . By standing up on top of these soft pieces of plastic/foam materialized underfoot they get sensory input while experiencing movement sensations through their feet; which helps improve balance control!
Choosing the right sensory toys for toddlers is essential for their growth and development. Our beginner’s guide on the importance of sensory toys can help you understand the benefits of these toys for your child’s cognitive and physical development.
Monkey Toys
Monkey toys are a great way to encourage your child’s development. You can find monkey toys that teach colors, numbers, shapes and letters.
Monkey toys also promote communication and listening skills by encouraging your child to imitate sounds made by the toy monkey. These types of toys are a good way for infants and toddlers to learn about cause-and-effect relationships.
The Benefits of Sensory Play for Children’s Mental Health
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Reduces stress and anxiety | Sensory play can help children feel more relaxed and less anxious. |
| Encourages mindfulness | Sensory play can help children focus on the present moment and improve their ability to concentrate. |
| Boosts mood | Sensory play can release endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, and help improve a child’s mood. |
| Improves social skills | Sensory play can help children develop their social skills by providing opportunities for group play and interaction. |
Children’s Toys With Lights And Sounds
You can’t go wrong with toys that feature lights and sounds! Kids love them, and they’re great for developing your child’s senses.
Lights are important to building visual perception in infants, while the sound of buttons being pressed can help develop auditory processing. Lights also help promote eye-hand coordination, which is a skill that will be useful later on when they’re learning how to write.
These types of toys include:
- Toys with lights (and/or sounds) that move or flash
- Music toys (like music boxes)
- Toys with buttons
Inflatable Toys
Inflatable toys are a great way to keep kids entertained, no matter where you’re going. They can be used indoors or outdoors, and they come in many different shapes and sizes.
If your child is feeling fidgety while traveling in the car, an inflatable toy will help keep them occupied for a bit longer than books and other traditional toys. They’re also small enough that you can take them anywhere you could even bring one on a plane!
Every toddler should have a selection of sensory toys to explore and play with to aid their development. Check out our list of 15 sensory toys every toddler should have in their toy box for some great ideas to add to your child’s collection.
Best Toddler Toys
Toys that stimulate the senses, encourage creativity, and promote physical development are a great way for your baby or toddler to play. They can be enjoyed by children of all ages, but here are some ideas for toys that will help you choose the best sensory toys for infants and toddlers.
Sensory Toys: A child’s sense of sight is developing during this time period. As such, there are many toys available which allow them to see shapes and colors in new ways!
Some good examples would be crayons (with different shapes), flashlights (to make shadows), mirrors (which reflect light), kaleidoscopes (a colorful toy that allows toddlers to see patterns created by reflected light), or kaleidoscope puzzles (a puzzle containing several pieces where each piece contains an image on both sides).
Creative Toys: Creative toys encourage children’s imagination while developing their motor skills at the same time! Some examples include building blocks/dolls houses; arts & crafts supplies like paints/crayons/markers/paper etc.; dress-up clothes; pretend play kitchen set up with pots & pans etc.
Physical Development Toys: Physical development consists of gross motor skills such as crawling/bicycling as well as fine motor skills such as holding things correctly while writing down notes from class lectures.
Language Development Toys: Language development involves learning how language works through reading books together with parents so they understand what words mean – this helps them speak better too because when we say something wrong it makes us think about what we’ve just said instead of saying things without thinking about them first.”
Choosing the right sensory toys for your child is important to ensure they are receiving the maximum benefits from these toys. Our guide on how to choose the right sensory toys for toddlers can help you understand what to look for when selecting sensory toys for your child.
| Safety Tips for Sensory Toys |
|---|
| Always check the age recommendations for sensory toys and choose age-appropriate toys for your child. |
| Avoid toys with small parts that can pose a choking hazard. |
| Choose toys that are made of safe and durable materials. |
| Always supervise young children when they are playing with sensory toys to ensure their safety. |
| Clean sensory toys regularly to prevent the buildup of bacteria or germs. |
Conclusion
While the toys listed above are all great options for your baby or toddler, there are many others out there. If you have any questions about these toys or need suggestions on what else may be right for your family, please contact us today! We look forward to hearing from you soon.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to learn more about sensory toys:
ESBest’s roundup of the best sensory toys for babies and toddlers: A comprehensive list of sensory toys for babies and toddlers that can aid in their development.
MomJunction’s guide to the best sensory toys for toddlers: An informative article that explains the benefits of sensory play and provides a list of the best sensory toys for toddlers.
Good Housekeeping’s top sensory toys for children: A curated list of sensory toys that can help children with various developmental needs.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys that are designed to stimulate a child’s senses, such as touch, sight, sound, and taste. These toys can aid in a child’s development by providing opportunities for exploration and learning.
What are the benefits of sensory toys for infants and toddlers?
Sensory toys can help infants and toddlers develop their cognitive, physical, and social skills. They can aid in the development of fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and language and communication skills. Additionally, sensory toys can provide a calming effect and help children manage stress and anxiety.
What types of sensory toys are available for infants and toddlers?
There are various types of sensory toys available for infants and toddlers, including soft toys, textured toys, musical toys, and toys that light up or vibrate. Sensory balls, blocks, and shape sorters are also popular choices.
Are sensory toys safe for infants and toddlers?
Yes, sensory toys are generally safe for infants and toddlers. However, it is important to choose toys that are age-appropriate and do not pose a choking hazard. Always supervise young children when they are playing with sensory toys to ensure their safety.
How can I choose the right sensory toys for my child?
When choosing sensory toys for your child, consider their age, developmental needs, and interests. Look for toys that provide opportunities for exploration and learning, and avoid toys that are too complex or overwhelming. It is also important to choose toys that are durable and easy to clean.
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.
