Baby Sensory Play Ideas

Did you know why babies put everything in their mouths? The front of the tongue has double sensory receptors that enable these little learners to gather a wealth of information. Baby sensory play creates perfect opportunities that allow infants to use this natural desire to accumulate knowledge with their tongues. 

Which Sensory Materials Are Baby Safe? 

As we are all aware, choking hazards pose a significant risk to babies. I'm extra careful about which baby sensory play items I choose. There are many moments throughout the day when we need to prevent babies from mouthing things; I believe in creating safe spaces where they are allowed the freedom to use all their senses. You could introduce baby sensory play from 6 months, but I tend to wait for few months after that.

I consider incorporating sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch into these baby play ideas. Metal containers can create a variety of noises, especially when two or more are used together. Any scent needs to be edible, and I think since babies are trying to understand the world, I'll let them explore sensory materials in their natural state. I used to add food dye to sensory play, and below I'll provide tips on it, but I consider it optional. 

Cooked Pasta Baby Sensory Play

I have found that older babies and younger toddlers enjoy placing cooked pasta shapes in ice cube or purée freezing trays. 

If you'd like to dye the pasta, I recommend putting a little bit of clear vinegar with a tiny amount of food dye in a large ziplock bag, adding cooked pasta, sealing it, and then shaking. Repeat with other colored dyes and different bags, if you'd like. Slightly wetting the pasta will make it feel less sticky. You can keep the pasta that stays clean for a few days in the fridge to play with again. 

Oats Baby Sensory Play

This is my most used baby sensory play material. It also creates excellent activities for toddlers, too. Small, sturdy containers with clean reused scoops on a tray of oats can keep little ones engaged for longer than usual. I often store what remains on the tray in a container or ziplock bag if it looks okay, for future sensory play. 

Aquafaba Baby Sensory Play

Aquafaba is made from the cooking water of chickpeas (in the UK and Australia) or garbanzo beans (in the USA), or the liquid found in canned versions. I'd recommend whipping it. I didn't do it justice in this photo because I only had a food processor on hand. It has such a unique silky texture that we were fascinated by simply handling it. Adding food dye and mark marking on a tray are other options.

Flaxseed Baby Sensory Play

Flaxseed is a more expensive baby sensory option. I happened to have some spare because I don't like it. A couple of older babies and a toddler enjoyed playing with the flaxseed, which can be kept for a few play sessions if clean enough. It creates a great pouring consistency, so small containers, measuring cups, small study jugs/pitchers, reused scoops or measuring spoons on a high-sided tray work well. I won't give this to babies under 9 months.

Cooked Tapioca Baby Sensory Play

This lumpy dessert is interesting for babies to explore. I cook it plain for baby sensory play, using just tapioca pearls and water after soaking it first. I have found that babies love squishing and squeezing this goo on a tray. Again adding food dye to the water first and making marks with our fingers are other options. 

Water Baby Sensory Play

Water play is a classic summer activity for kids. However, did you know water play can also provide indoor activities for babies and toddlers? Any containers or water play toys work well sitting on a towel on hard flooring. 

Plain Yogurt Baby Sensory Play

Natural plain yogurt spread out on a tray creates a mark-making opportunity, making it a perfect highchair activity. You only need a little if you are worried a lot waste. If you want to be fancy you could add food dye, but I don't feel the need. 

Baby Cereal Baby Sensory Play

Similar to yogurt, baby cereal can be used as finger paint once it is prepared. Plain is just a fun for babies as colourful versions. If you want to use food dye, add it to water and use that in place of the milk in the instructions. This was the only time I made this baby sensory play colorful, which was a decade ago.

Alternatively, the dry powdery cereal can be spread as a thin layer on a tray for mark-making. Avoid using it dry if there is any risk of asthma or with younger babies. 

Flour Baby Sensory Play

Toy cars and trucks can create tracks in a thin layer of flour on a tray. A sieve can also be used, but it can get very messy in the hands of an active baby. Also avoid using it if there is any risk of asthma or with younger babies. The photo was from a messy play class, I usually offer much less flour.

What About the Mess? 

Make baby sensory play manageable! Even with groups, each baby was content with a small amount in front of them while sitting at a low table. 

High-sided solid washable trays are an option I use to help contain the mess. Their highchair or a low, sturdy table and safe chair are also handy. I often let babies play from a tray on a hard floor while sitting next to them. Putting a large towel under the tray can be handy to keep it still, to aid clean-up and be a nicer to place sit.

If you are worried about the mess, and if it's warm enough, just using a diaper is one option, with a bath afterward. Most of the time, the babies/toddlers are clothed normally and they don't even need to be changed after. Sometimes I dress the baby/toddler in a messy outfit of old clothes especially for messy play. If they are seated in a highchair or at a table, a long-sleeved bib can also be useful. 

Plan the clean-up before starting. Sometimes I prepare a bowl of warm soapy water with a washcloth and place it close, but out of reach of little hands during the activity. Most of the time, I ensure that a pack of baby wipes is right by me when we start baby sensory play. Occasionally, I sweep or wipe the mess during a sensory activity; however, I usually clean it all up at the end. 

I believe cleaning up after messy baby activities is totally worth it! 

Older babies have also enjoy these Toddler Sensory Play activities. Explore more Baby Play Ideas here. 

Find more Infant Activities, Activities for 1-year-olds or Activities for 2-year-olds