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The Best Sensory Toys for Your Baby’s Sensory Development
As a parent, you want the best for your baby’s overall development – especially when it comes to sensory development. Sensory toys are a great way to stimulate your baby’s senses, providing them with opportunities to learn and explore the world around them. Sensory toys come in different shapes, sizes, and textures, which makes them perfect for babies at different stages of development. Here are some of the best sensory toys for your baby’s sensory development.
1. Infantino Sensory Balls
Infantino sensory balls are a great option for babies between 6 and 36 months of age. These balls come in different colors, textures, sizes, and shapes, which can help your baby develop their tactile senses. Sensory balls are also great for gross motor skills as they encourage your baby to crawl and chase them around.
2. Jellycat Soft Books
Jellycat soft books are perfect for babies between 0 and 24 months of age. These books come in different textures, colors, and shapes, which are perfect for your baby’s sensory development. The soft material of the books also provides comfort for your baby, making them perfect for naptime or bedtime.
3. Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy
The Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle and Sensory Teether Toy is suitable for babies between 0 and 24 months of age. This toy is perfect for teething babies as it helps soothe sore gums. The toy is made up of soft, pliable loops that are easy to grasp and chew. Additionally, the rattle sound is perfect for stimulating your baby’s sense of sound.
4. VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube
The VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube is suitable for babies between 6 months and 3 years of age. This toy provides a variety of sensory experiences with its different textured sides, buttons, spinning discs, and a motion sensor that triggers fun sounds and music. The toy also features different activities that encourage cognitive development, such as counting, shapes, and animal identification.
5. PlanToys Sensory Tumbling
PlanToys Sensory Tumbling is suitable for babies between 6 and 36 months of age. The toy features three wooden balls with different textures and colors, as well as a soft cushiony base that makes it safe and easy for your baby to play with. This toy is perfect for your baby’s tactile and visual senses, as well as gross motor skills.
6. Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Digits
Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Digits is suitable for babies between 6 and 36 months of age. This toy features textured buttons that are perfect for tactile exploration. The buttons also produce a satisfying “pop†sound when pressed, which can help your baby develop their sense of sound. The colorful buttons are also perfect for visual stimulation.
7. Skwish Natural Rattle and Teether
The Skwish Natural Rattle and Teether is suitable for babies between 0 and 24 months of age. This toy features a unique design that bounces back and forth, making it perfect for your baby’s gross motor skills development. The wood beads that slide along the dowels produce a soft rattle sound, perfect for auditory stimulation. The toy is also safe for teething babies to chew on.
In conclusion, sensory toys are a great way to stimulate your baby’s senses and encourage their overall development. These toys provide opportunities for your baby to develop their tactile, visual, and auditory senses, as well as gross motor skills. Additionally, they offer comfort and entertainment for your little one. When choosing sensory toys for your baby, make sure to choose toys that are age-appropriate to ensure maximum safety and effectiveness.
The Best Sensory Toys for Your Baby’s Sensory Development FAQ
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys that are designed to engage a child’s senses, such as touch, taste, smell, sight, and sound. These toys can help to soothe, calm, or stimulate a child, depending on the type of toy.
What are the benefits of sensory toys?
Sensory toys can help with sensory exploration and development, as well as fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and emotional regulation. They can also encourage creativity and imagination and provide a fun and safe way for children to explore their world.
When should I introduce sensory toys to my baby?
You can start introducing sensory toys to your baby from around 3 months old, as this is when their sensory development really begins to take off. Start with simple toys that are easy for them to grasp and explore, such as rattles, teething rings, and soft toys with different textures.
What are some good sensory toys for newborns?
Good sensory toys for newborns include black and white mobiles, soft toys with different textures, and toys that make gentle sounds, such as musical rattles or wind chimes.
What are some good sensory toys for older babies?
Good sensory toys for older babies include toys with different textures, such as sensory balls and soft play cubes, toys with different sounds, such as musical instruments and noisy toys, toys with different colours and patterns, such as mobiles and play mats, and toys that encourage movement, such as balls and ride-on toys.
What materials are best for sensory toys?
The best materials for sensory toys are those that are safe, non-toxic, and able to withstand a baby’s eager exploring and teething. Good materials include soft fabrics, natural wood, silicone, and BPA-free plastic.
What should I look for when choosing sensory toys?
When choosing sensory toys, look for toys that are age-appropriate, safe, and non-toxic. Look for toys with different textures, colours, and sounds, and toys that encourage movement and gross and fine motor skills. You can also look for toys that are easy to clean and store, and that your baby will enjoy playing with.
Can I make my own sensory toys?
Yes, you can make your own sensory toys using materials like fabric, natural wood, rice, and water. Pinterest and other online crafting sites have numerous ideas and tutorials for making sensory toys for babies and toddlers. Just be sure to follow safety guidelines and use age-appropriate materials.
How many sensory toys do I need?
There’s no hard and fast rule for how many sensory toys you need, but it’s a good idea to have a variety of toys on hand that your baby can rotate through. Aim for a mix of toys that engage different senses and motor skills, and that your baby will enjoy playing with.
How often should I rotate sensory toys?
You can rotate sensory toys as often as you like, but it’s a good idea to do it once a week or so to keep your baby engaged and interested. Just be sure to clean and store toys properly, and to monitor your baby while they are playing with them.
Are sensory toys safe for babies?
Sensory toys can be safe for babies when they are age-appropriate, made from safe materials, and used under adult supervision. Always follow safety guidelines when choosing and using sensory toys, and regularly check toys for wear and tear.
Sensory Toys for Development: Related Products
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Baby Gym Play Mat
A baby gym play mat is designed to encourage a baby’s development by promoting tummy time and helping them develop coordination, motor skills, and overall strength. The soft, colorful toys and textures on the mat also stimulate a baby’s sensory development. -
Baby Teething Toys
Teething toys are specially designed to help soothe a baby’s sore gums and provide relief during the teething process. Apart from that, they are also great for sensory development, as they come in various textures, shapes, and colors, which stimulate a baby’s sense of touch and vision. -
Activity Cube Toys
An activity cube toy combines various games and fun activities such as puzzles, mazes, counting beads, and spinning gears into one toy, promoting a wide range of learning and development opportunities for babies. These toys help babies develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving, while also providing a fun sensory experience through various textures and sounds. -
Nesting and Stacking Toys
Nesting and Stacking toys are excellent for developing hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and overall motor skills. These toys come in different shapes and sizes, which help babies develop spatial awareness, perception, and sorting skills, while also providing a fun sensory experience through various textures and colors. -
Sensory Balls and Blocks
Sensory balls and blocks come in different shapes and textures, providing a fun sensory experience for babies while promoting development in multiple areas. These toys help develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, grip strength, and sensory perception, making them extremely valuable for babies’ overall development. -
Touch and Feel Board Books
Board books featuring different textures, flaps, and interactive elements are wonderful for promoting sensory development while building language skills. Babies can touch, feel, and explore different textures while learning about colors, shapes, and animals. Such board books are the perfect combination of fun and learning, making them a must-have for every baby’s library. -
Baby Rattles
Baby rattles are simple yet effective toys! These toys help babies develop hand-eye coordination while also stimulating their auditory and visual senses. The sound of a rattling toy is exciting for a baby, and the bright colors and textures of the toy provide a great sensory experience. -
Musical Toys
Musical toys are great for babies, as they help develop a sense of rhythm and timing while stimulating their auditory and visual senses. These toys are available in many different shapes and sizes, with different sounds, songs, and melodies. Some musical toys are even designed to encourage a baby’s movement and dance skills, making them a perfect entertainment cum developmental toys. -
Baby Mirror Toy
Babies love looking at their reflection, and a baby mirror toy is the perfect tool for promoting self-exploration and sensory development. The mirrors are designed to be safe and shatter-proof, while the mirror frame can be soft and plush. This type of toy introduces the concept of reflection to your baby while helping develop their sensory perception and self-awareness. -
Push and Pull Toys
Push and pull toys help babies develop gross motor skills, coordination, and balance as they push or pull the toy around. The toys come in different designs, shapes, and sizes, but most of them have wheels. Some varieties of these toys are designed with musical or sound effects that help to attract and hold a baby’s attention, making these toys a perfect fun sensory experience.
Pros & Cons of Sensory Toys for Your Baby’s Development
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