My 2-year-old loves any toy that will light up or make noise [1], but the things he spends the most time focussed on are toys that engage his senses [2]. Sensory toys stimulate touch, hearing, sight, and sometimes smell and taste [3], and they empower kids to interact with the world around them and experience new things. This type of play has tons of benefits for toddlers and preschoolers [4], including coordination and motor skills [5], emotional development, social skills, problem solving, creativity and imagination, communication, and more. Everything from sensory bins [6] to textured toys to water tables are fun for toddlers, and are designed to help them grow and learn. Here are a few of my favourite sensory toys that will entertain your little ones for hours.
BunMo Super Sensory Textured Stretchy Strings
These BunMo Super Sensory Textured Stretchy Strings [7] ($9) will stimulate the senses with each colourful string that features different textures and stretchiness. Plus, they are easy to slip in your purse when you head out the door for a little fun on the go.
iBaste 2PCS Push Pop Pop Bubble Sensory Fidget Toy
Imagine capturing the fun of bubble wrap in one easily transportable toy, and you have the iBaste Push Pop Pop Bubble Sensory Fidget Toy [8] ($11, originally $13). This brightly coloured silicone circle is filled with bubbles that can be popped to relieve stress.
Fat Brain Toys Baby Toddler and Learning Toy Suction Kupz
Six silicone suction cups in various colours make bath time, table time, or floor time more fun! The Fat Brain Toys Baby Toddler and Learning Toy Suction Kupz [9] ($15) can be stacked, stuck to the table or walls, and hide snacks or small toys!
Little Tikes Spinning Seas Water Table
With a little sunscreen and supervision, toddlers will play with this Little Tikes Spinning Seas Water Table [10] ($40) for hours! My kids love filling the cup with water and making the wheels spin or watching the balls spiral down and bounce in the water.
ZaxiDeel Sensory Toys
If you can't decide on one sensory toy, why not try a variety with the ZaxiDeel Sensory Toys [11] ($23). It comes with pop tubes, bean bags, a stress ball, squeeze balls, stretchy strings, spiky sensory balls, and a more inside a handy storage bin.
KiwiCo Sensory Dough
With a little help from parents, kids can enjoy sensory play with this KiwiCo Sensory Dough [12] ($15). Help your toddler stir together the flour-salt mixtures, scented oils, and colourful paints to create a safe dough that they can mold and play with.
Fun and Function Gel Floor Tiles
Choose from a variety of colours in these Fun and Function Gel Floor Tiles [13] ($49), which kids can sit on, step on, or jump on to make the squishy colours move around. Line up several tiles in different colour schemes for playtime!
Lalaboom 2 Sensory Balls and Beads Set
Designed for toddlers ages 10-36 months, this Lalaboom Sensory Balls and Beads Set [14] ($28) includes two sensory balls designed to help kids develop motor skills as well as an eight-piece snap bead set to enhance creativity.
ThatAnxietyDough Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles provide a calming distraction when kids need it most. Simply shake and watch the glitter and trinkets slowly swirl in front of you. ThatAnxietyDough Sensory Bottles [15] ($7) come in several fun styles designed for kids (but parents will have fun with them, too).
Stitched4UByTrippy2 I Spy Bag
Take your sensory toys on the go with these cute Stitched4UByTrippy2 I Spy Bag [16] ($14), made with rice, toys, and letters inside an easy-to-hold fabric bag.
Hand2Mind Mindful Maze Boards
The Hand2Mind Mindful Maze Boards [17] ($19) are designed to relieve anxiety in kids and help them feel calmer. The colourful sensory boards have fun, raised mazes that kids can follow with their fingers for engageing play.
Little Kids Fubbles No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket
Bubbles are the ultimate toddler toy, and the Little Kids Fubbles No-Spill Big Bubble Bucket [18] ($13, originally $17) is perfect for your I-can-do-it toddler. With big bubble wands in a spill-proof bucket, kids can blow bubbles all day.
SensiPalStore Squish Panels
Squish, squeeze, write, and play with these awesome SensiPalStore Squish Panels [19] ($10). The set includes four panels filled with gel and glitter, water beads, or googly eyes. These are fun for exploring, finger-drawing, and relaxing.
MagnetBlox Standard Set
Don't let the high price tag on these MagnetBlox [20] ($300) make you nervous; this fun, educational toy will provide entertainment for years to come! It comes with 19 fabric cubes and 8 triangles, each filled with magnets that allow kids to build towers, bridges, houses, tunnels, letters, and more.
BunMo Bath Toys with Suction Bathtub Toy Organiser
Who says sensory playtime can't happen in the bath? This BunMo Bath Toys with Suction Bathtub Toy Organiser [21] ($20, originally $23) comes with 24 suction construction toys that stick to each other and non-porous surfaces. Plus the set includes a variety of fun colours!
BunMo Stretchy Calming Noodles
These amazing BunMo Stretchy Calming Noodles [22] ($7, originally $10) glow in the dark! Toddlers will love pulling, stretching, squeezing, wrapping, twirling, and playing with these colourful sensory toys.
Sensory Jungle Hanging Pod Chair with Cushion
Encourage toddlers to relax, read, or play in this Sensory Jungle Hanging Pod Chair with Cushion [23] ($38). These durable swinging chairs can be mounted inside or outside, and help kids calm down by block sensory input.
ThatMakesSenseShop Hide and Seek Alphabet
Toddlers can channel their inner pirate by digging in the sand for burried alphabet treasure. They will gain dexterity by using the jumbo tweezers to pick up the letters and lining them up on the laminated alphabet sheet. This ThatMakesSenseShop Hide and Seek Alphabet [24] ($25) is as fun as it is educational.
Little Tikes Foamo Foam Machine
Have the coolest house on the block with this Little Tikes Foamo Foam Machine [25] ($180), which makes tons of non-toxic foam when you add water. Cover your backyard in foam and let the kids have a blast playing in their swimsuits.
The Dough Project The Garden Project
Kids can pretend to plant their own garden with The Dough Project The Garden Project [26] ($48) kit, which includes six colourful jars of dough, a cute flowerpot, a small shovel, straws, pipe cleaners, and real dried flowers.
HappyLifeMagicShop Space Play Dough Kit
Toddlers can explore the mystery of outer space at their fingertips with this HappyLifeMagicShop Space Play Dough Kit [27] ($22). It contains homemade play dough, astronauts, space crafts, bouncy planets, stars, foam balls, pom poms, and an alien to introduce your little one to the vastness of space.
Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colours Set
Shapes, colours, and creativity can all be taught with this Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colours Set [28] ($47, originally $50). The magnetic building kit allows kids to channel their inner architect and develop creativity.
Jasonwell Aqua Magic Doodle Mat
Colouring on the ground is OK with this Jasonwell Aqua Magic Doodle Mat [29] ($26). This water-drawing mat is designed with alphabet and number tracing patterns, a magic pen that draws on the mat, and fun stamps, rollers, and suction cups.
Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ice Cream Shop Playset
Sensory bins are such a fun way to get kids exploring with their hands. I like this Creativity for Kids Sensory Bin: Ice Cream Shop Playset [30] ($20), which contains coloured sand, rainbow sprinkle beads, ice cream cones, and more for hands-on play.
Hand2Mind Sensory Fidget Tubes
There's something so relaxing about watching glitter swirl and spin around you. Help kids to calm down and relax with these Hand2Mind Sensory Fidget Tubes [31] ($30), which include four unique tubes filled with water, glitter, and more.
NUTTY TOYS Pops Tube Sensory Toy 8 Pack
The colourful Nutty Toys Pops Tube Sensory Toy [32] ($9, originally $24) feature fun textured tubes that twist, connect together, and make satisfying popping noises. This fun sensory toy that helps kids stay calm and relieves stress.