Are you looking for a fun way to provide your baby with stimulating sensory play? Sensory stimulation provides the building blocks to a wide range of milestones throughout childhood, making it an essential piece of the developmental puzzle. Would you like a toy that will inspire and delight your little explorer, but aren't sure where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place!
Sensory toys can be an interactive way to engage your baby’s senses, so we’ve compiled a diverse list of the very best options available. Topping our impressive list is Freddie the Firefly, a colorful fabric-based toy from Lamaze that offers a plethora of multi-sensory features. Check out the other products we liked, and don’t forget to check out our comprehensive buying guide to help steer you in the right direction.
Quick List - Top Sensory Toys For Babies
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Online shopping can leave you feeling overwhelmed and bombarded with options. As you begin your search, consider the information in this guide to help point you in the right direction.
Familiarizing yourself with the various types of sensory stimulation that infant toys offer can help narrow down which options will best meet your child’s developmental needs.
Providing toys that offer visual diversity can be an effective way to help support infant eye development and visual perception. Exposing your baby to as many different colors and tones as possible in their first year is essential in helping foster healthy visual development.
When selecting a sensory toy, be sure to consider colorful options that feature a diverse palette with rich, vibrant tones that attract and keep your baby’s attention.
Providing very young infants (newborn to three months) sensory toys that feature pictures and designs with high-contrast color schemes can be particularly beneficial in promoting early visual and cognitive development.
Sensory toys offer a plethora of other types of visual stimulants as well. Toys with features like flashing lights or moving pieces can also be a great way to diversify your baby’s visual experience.
The tactile system refers to our sense of touch and is the first sensory system to fully develop during infancy, typically by 32 weeks. Tactile learning is your baby’s primary source of collecting vital information about the world around them.
Infants should be provided with diversely-textured toys and materials that offer ample opportunity for tactile exploration to help foster healthy development, both in infancy and throughout childhood.
Most sensory toys feature a wide variety of textural elements and surfaces that encourage little hands to actively engage in a developmentally beneficial tactile learning experience.
Auditory, or sound, stimuli activate our sense of hearing in conjunction with the central nervous system. This neurological activation allows infants to begin to make connections between what they see and what they hear.
Sensory toys that produce various types of sounds encourage infants to engage their sense of hearing while exploring new and unfamiliar objects and surfaces.
There is a wide variety of sensory toys that feature sound-producing elements to enhance the sensory experience. For example, some options may feature rings that generate clacking or rattling sounds. Some sensory toys even have electronic components that play familiar songs or other sounds.
The gustatory system, or sense of taste, uses oral stimulation to send signals between the taste buds and the brain to form synapses that help build and improve oral memory. This is essential in promoting the development of fundamental oral skills during infancy like sucking, chewing, and eventually talking.
Many sensory toys incorporate teething surfaces that feature various types of studs and grooves that not only encourage gustatory exploration but also provide soothing relief for teething infants. Gustatory stimulation can also help promote infant gum health and accelerate the eruption of baby teeth.
Be sure to look for options that combine familiar toys, like a stuffed animal or rattle, with textured teething surfaces to provide multi-sensory stimulation and support oral development.
Selecting toys made from safe, high-grade materials can help ensure the product’s quality and safety. It can also be beneficial to choose manufacturers that back their products with a money-back guarantee or warranty to further ensure product quality.
Polyvinyl chloride is a synthetic plastic polymer that is used in a wide range of everyday products, from household water pipes to credit cards. In its flexible form PVC is also used in a variety of children’s products and toys that contain plastic components.
Not only is PVC plastic an exceptionally durable material, but it’s also food-grade, making it a safe option for teething infants. While PVC plastic is made from fossil fuels such as natural gas, products made with PVC plastic can be recycled and reused up to seven times in their lifetime.
It’s important to note that while PVC plastic is a relatively safe option, it is still synthetic material and may not be suitable for all infants. Some manufacturers offer sensory toys that are free of PVC plastic to cater to children who may be sensitive or allergic to the materials commonly used in the production of certain types of plastics.
Thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU, and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) are both commonly used as alternatives to PVC plastic in items for infants and children due to their reduced chemical exposure during the production process.
Bisphenol A is a chemical compound that is used in the production of a wide variety of plastic products from food storage containers to sports equipment. In the last decade, a great deal of research has been conducted into the effects of BPA.
These studies have shown that exposure to products containing BPA can interfere with human brain development, making products containing the chemical potentially harmful to infants, children, and expectant mothers.
While most products intended for infants and children no longer contain BPA, it is important to note that it is not a banned chemical, so some children’s items may still contain it. To limit your child’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, it’s important to ensure all products intended for infants and children are BPA-free.
Many sensory toys for infants incorporate various types of fabrics to encourage and enhance tactile exploration, though very few manufacturers list the materials they use for their fabric toys.
Fabrics used in the production of children’s products are commonly made from synthetic materials, like polyester or microfiber, due to their inherent durability and stain resistance. It is important to note that some infants may be sensitive or even allergic to fabrics made from synthetic materials, however.
Check the manufacturer’s care instructions to ensure the safety and longevity of your baby’s new sensory toy. Most recommend handwashing, especially those with electronic features. However, some toys made with plastic or silicone components, including teething elements, can be cleaned in a dishwasher or sanitizer.
Many fabric-based sensory toys will require frequent cleaning to prevent the accumulation of mold and other contaminants. Most of these options can be conveniently cleaned in a household washing machine, though some options may require handwashing.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lamaze Freddie the Firefly | ![]() | A Plethora of Textures and Colors | |
2 | Melissa & Doug Pull-Back Vehicle Set | ![]() | A Playful Adventure on Wheels | |
3 | Vtech Sit to Stand Learning Walker | ![]() | A Versatile Toy Baby Can Grow With | |
4 | Skip Hop Bandana Buddies Elephant | ![]() | An Adorable Stuffed Animal With Textural Diversity | |
5 | Sassy Stacks of Circles | ![]() | Stimulating Play and Vibrant Colors | |
6 | Melissa and Doug Flip Fish Toy | ![]() | A Tactile Journey Under the Sea | |
7 | Vtech Busy Learners Activity Cube | ![]() | Endless Sensory Fun in a Colorful Package | |
8 | Manhattan Toy Winkel | ![]() | A Whimsical Option With a Wacky Design | |
9 | Baby Einstein Flip for Art | ![]() | A Visual Delight for Developing Eyes | |
10 | Munchkin Float and Play Bubbles | ![]() | Bathtime Fun With Delightful Characters |
From crinkly fabric to silky velour, this adorable companion from Lamaze features a variety of textures and patterns in every color of the rainbow! Complete with teething surfaces and sound makers, this is the perfect way to provide your little explorer with comprehensive multi-sensory stimulation.
A few reviewers mention that the large size may deter some infants. Others rave about this delightful toy’s stimulating mix of colors, textures, and sounds that keep their baby engaged and entertained. Several reviewers even mention that this toy quickly became their child’s favorite, especially when traveling!
Get your little racer moving with these charming rollers from Melissa & Doug! This delightful set features a soft outer shell with vibrant colors and a self-rolling wheel system that makes sensory play safe and easy for busy babies on the go.
Most parents praise this soft toy’s plush outer shell that provides infants with safe sensory play. They say the cars go fast, especially on hard floors, but don't work well on carpeting. Many also appreciate that the wheels come off so the fabric part can be washed easily.
The design of this sensory toy makes it a great option for older infants who are beginning to transition from crawling to walking. It has light-up buttons, shape sorters, a play telephone, music and sounds, and more!
Some reviewers have complaints about the speed control and brakes. It's important to supervise a child while they use it to avoid falls and injuries.
However, most reviewers rave about the vibrant colors, lights, and sounds that keep infants actively engaged in multi-sensory play. Parents also love the transitional design that encourages interaction and promotes overall development.
Choose from different delightful buddies to provide your little one with sensory diversity in a quirky package. It features a nifty bandana teether that can be removed to use as a teething bracelet you can wear to provide your baby relief on-the-go!
Some reviewers note that it is significantly larger and heavier than comparable options. Most buyers highly recommend this adorable sensory toy, praising its innate versatility and multi-functionality throughout infancy. Many reviewers also note that this toy makes a great gift for baby showers and other holidays!
This ring toy encourages your little engineer to stack and sort their way through a variety of colors and textures, which provides multi-sensory stimulation while reinforcing early scientific and mathematical concepts. Some rings are squishy, and one has beads that make noise too.
Parents note that the plastic is quite hard and may not be a suitable teething option. Most reviewers commend this toy's visual and textural diversity that provides a fun and engaging sensory experience. Some parents also note that this toy can be a beneficial learning tool that can grow with baby into their toddler years.
Keep your little explorer actively engaged with this texturally diverse sea creature! Featuring flippable scales that conceal hidden pictures, this adorable sensory toy promotes tactile exploration while providing a visually stimulating learning experience.
Parents love this colorful toy’s soft, plush design that entices little hands to engage in tactile exploration while supporting healthy visual development. Many reviewers also praise the large size that makes it ideal for tummy time!
With 14 engaging sensory components and 25 delightful tunes to jam along to, this interactive toy will inspire your little mover to immerse themselves in a multi-sensory learning adventure! This is the perfect choice for older infants to grow with into their toddler years.
Although parents caution that adults may find the songs annoying, most reviewers praise this toy’s ability to actively engage and entertain infants. Several commend its sensory diversity. Some parents even mention that it quickly became their child’s favorite activity!
Prepare your little chomper as they embark on a winding journey through the twists and turns of this uniquely designed sensory teether from Manhattan Toy. Backed by time-tested experience, this popular toy has been bringing delight and joy to babies for over 25 years.
Several reviewers had concerns about keeping this toy clean and dry. However, a vast majority of reviews love that it features a wide variety of diverse colors, textures, and sounds that encourage their child to actively engage in multi-sensory exploration.
This toy hosts a variety of patterns that feature a high-contrast color scheme specifically designed to promote foundational visual and cognitive development skills. Complete with a baby-safe mirror and attachable picture cards, this tummy time favorite is an ideal option for very young infants.
Some had issues with the design, noting that it can be difficult to keep it in an upright position. Many parents, however, report significant improvements to their child’s tummy time routine. Some mention children that continue to gravitate toward this sensory toy well after learning to sit up on their own.
Enhance your baby’s bathtime routine while providing interactive sensory stimulation with these playful bubbles from Munchkin! Filled with colorful elements that spin and rattle as they float atop the water’s surface, these easy to grab toys will delight and engage your little swimmer in a fun-filled sensory adventure.
Several reviewers complained about water escaping into the inner portion of the bubbles. Overall, parents love the interactivity and versatility for bathtime and beyond. While this multi-sensory set is intended for water play, many parents note that their child enjoys these during other non-water activities as well.
If you're looking for more high-quality products for infants, be sure to check out these great resources!
No. 1: Lamaze|Freddie the Firefly
No. 2: Melissa & Doug|Pull-Back Vehicle Set
No. 3: Vtech|Sit to Stand Learning Walker
No. 4: Skip Hop|Bandana Buddies Elephant
No. 5: Sassy|Stacks of Circles
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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