15 best sensory toys for babies and toddlers

Feb 23, 2024

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Support your little one's development with our top picks

The best sensory toys will help your baby develop their sense of taste, touch, smell, hearing and sight as they learn about the world around them through play. 'They give babies and children the freedom to safely play using their senses, which is really important for their development,' explains parenting expert and author of 100 Ways Your Child Can Learn Through Play, Georgina Durrant.

Sensory toys support your mini me's development in lots of ways, developing their hand-eye coordination, concentration and fine motor skills. Durrant adds that they can also be calming for children, helping them to relax if they feel overstimulated.

To help you find the best age-appropriate sensory toys to support your little one's development, we bring you this edit of our favourites, featuring bestsellers and toys rated by our mum testers.

'You could argue that most baby toys are also sensory toys as they are using a baby's senses,' Durrant says. 'However, there are also specific sensory toys available. But, parents should be aware that some toys are only suitable for older children and aren't safe for babies or toddlers.' Keep this in mind when shopping, and ensure you check what age each toy is recommended for.

The most common types of sensory toys include:

This ‘welcome to the world’ playmat not only looks super cute, but also comes with sensory benefits for babies from birth. It has four hanging toys for your little one to touch and grab, and an elephant tummy time toy to aid with the development of your baby’s muscles.Our mum tester loved the safari animal theme and neutral colourway for keeping out in the lounge, while the hanging toys had the little ones we showed mesmerised.

Suitable for: o+ months for the playmat and gym and 5+ months for the floor mat.

There aren’t many cuter ways to help your little one develop their fine motor skills than with this little wooden push-along bunny from Baby Mori.

It’s been specially crafted with wooden edges to make it safe for playtime and has been designed with little hands in mind. If you’re after a baby sensory gift or a treat for a little one over 12 months old, then add this beauty to your basket.

Suitable for: 12+ months.

If you’re a proud toddler mama, then chances are you’ve heard of the Toniebox. This musical toy is popular among tots thanks to its ability to play songs and stories.

The parents we know like it too, as it gives little ones screen-free time, and it can be operated easily by teeny hands thanks to its padded exterior and ‘tilt and tap’ functions.You can also change the characters (available to purchase separately) as your little one’s interests change. Styles available include Peppa Pig, Mickey Mouse, and James and the giant peach.

Suitable for: 3+ years old.

For little ones aged three years old and over, we love this Melissa & Doug problem-solving house. With plenty to touch including locks, doorbells and four dinky dolls, the toddlers we know (with short attention spans!) were kept busy thanks to this hands-on activity. It also has a doorbell feature to keep little ears listening, and parents rate it thanks to the gross and fine motor skills tots learn along the way.

Suitable for: 3+ years old.

Ultra-stylish baby brand Aden + Anais has designed this wooden baby gym to help your little one develop those all-important sensory, cognitive and motor skills. Containing cute muslin toys, this activity gym is great for encouraging your little one to interact. Parents can rest assured they’ve been considered too, as this beautiful creation is also machine washable once it’s removed from its arches (much to the relief of our mum tester!).

Suitable for: 0+ months.

A nostalgic character from Eric Carle's bestselling book The Hungry Caterpillar, this sensory toy is suitable for all ages, and designed to support your little one's early development.

Our mum tester loved the variety of textures, sounds, colours and shapes on this toy — and that it was a major throwback to her own childhood!

Although it's suitable for any age, she thinks its most useful for babes who are three months or older.

Suitable for: 0+ months

Ideal for babies who are grabbing everything in sight (and sending you into a slight panic!), this classic Winnie the Pooh Baby Tigger is sure to keep them out of trouble.

Not only will it give them something to hold onto, it has a rattle inside which will help to further develop their gross motor skills — and it can even be used when encouraging them to crawl or walk.

Suitable for: 0+ months

Made from 100% food-grade silicone (similar to silicone ice cube trays), Kidly's Sensory Stacking Cups will go down a treat with the mini in your life.

A contemporary take on a classic toy, each cup features a different pattern and can be stacked on top of each other. Your baby will have hours of endless full in their playpen, developing hand-eye coordination, while also learning about balance, height, size and order.

Plus, thanks to the compact design you can also use them in the bath or pop them in your changing bag for entertainment on the go.

Our mum tester loved the aesthetic of this toy too, and didn't mind having it sprawled over her living room floor!

Suitable for: o+ months

This Linkimals penguin educates and entertains. The classic Fisher-Price toy lights up, talks, sings and dances to funky tunes that will teach your baby about the alphabet, counting and shapes in an engaging way.

Although it's suitable for children 9+ months, our mum tester thought this one would be really beneficial to babies 12+ months.

What's more, you can pair it with other Linkimals toys and have them interact together for even more fun for your little.

Suitable for: 9+ months

Mori's wooden puzzle might look simple, but it will help your munchkin develop a very important skill: problem solving. It teaches them to recognise different shapes and colours, and put the pieces back on the wooden board.

This sensory toy is made from sustainable materials, with soft edges and non-toxic paint for peace of mind.

Suitable for: 12+ months

For older tots already on their feet, this musical roller will support mobility as well as sensory development.

The soft bells that ring as they push the roller will stimulate the ears and encourage them to keep moving, while the colourful triangle design stimulates the eyes. Made from sustainably sourced materials, the wood is smooth and the paint is child-friendly.

Suitable for: 12+ months

Designed by child development experts to be exactly what your child needs at each stage, Lovevery's kits are brilliant for sensory development.

The Babbler Play Kit was created for babies aged 13, 14 and 15 months. Inside is a variety of colourful games to help develop fine motor skills. Think wooden coin banks, stackable rings and ball slides.

Each kit comes with a guide for parents, with information on the benefits of each game and guidance on how to make the most of the activities with their mini.

Suitable for: 12+ months

Fisher-Price's five-in-one activity cube will help your toddler develop their co-ordination skills. There's a beaded maze, slot puzzle, musical keys and more. Plus, the colourful design features lots of characters, providing a great opportunity for them to learn their animals.

It might not keep them entertained for hours (seriously, has anyone found the secret to keeping a toddler stimulated for that long?!), but it will keep them busy for at least 15 minutes while you pop the kettle on.

It makes a great toy for play dates too, encouraging them to share with their mini bff.

Suitable for: 18+ months

Etta Loves's striking products have been designed in collaboration with a consultant orthoptist and the team at the Sussex Baby Lab.

The monochrome colours and statement patterns will support your baby's cognitive and visual development between birth and four months when they see mostly in black and white.

This bundle contains the brand's bestselling, kind-to-planet muslin cloths and chewable, natural rubber bath toys.

Suitable for: 0+ months

Little Dutch, one of our favourite baby brands, has created the most beautiful soft activity book with a range of colours and materials for your little one to explore.

The cloth book is goose-themed, and inside you'll find squeaky toys and crinkly fabric in chic Scandi-inspired colours. It's ideal for sensory play, with a mirror inside so they can get to know their reflection.

Suitable for: 0+ months

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