Sensory Activities for Babies & Toddlers

Textures, sounds, movement, and body awareness — helping your child make sense of the world through their senses from birth through age 3.

Sensory development is how your child learns to process and respond to information from their senses: touch, sight, sound, taste, smell, movement (vestibular), and body position (proprioception). These systems work together to help your child understand and navigate the physical world.

Research in Brain Sciences by Dionne-Dostie et al. found that the nervous system is multisensorial from its earliest developmental stage, and that early multisensory experiences support later cognitive and language development. Our sensory activities expose your child to varied textures, sounds, movements, and sensory experiences that build the neural foundations for learning, attention, and self-regulation.

Sensory Activities by Age

0-3 Months: Sensory Activities

  • High Contrast Cards
  • Gentle Massage Time
  • Sound Seeker
  • Rocking Rhythms
See all newborn activities →

3-6 Months: Sensory Activities

  • Color Discovery
  • Sound Seeker
  • Gentle Massage Time
  • Rocking Rhythms
See all 3-6 month activities →

6-9 Months: Sensory Activities

  • Texture Exploration
  • Splash Discovery
  • Peek and Feel
  • Taste Adventure
See all 6-9 month activities →

9-12 Months: Sensory Activities

  • Messy Food Fun
  • Splash and Pour
  • Sensory Safari
  • Noise Makers
See all 9-12 month activities →

12-18 Months: Sensory Activities

  • Puddle Splash
  • Feely Bag
  • Freeze Dance
  • Smell Walk
See all 12-18 month activities →

18-24 Months: Sensory Activities

  • Water Pouring
  • Paint with Water
  • Barefoot Path
  • Bubble Pop
See all 18-24 month activities →

24-36 Months: Sensory Activities

  • Sand Castle Play
  • Sensory Bin Discovery
  • Heavy Work Helper
  • Taste Test
See all 2-3 year activities →

Sample Sensory Activities

High Contrast Cards

Use bold black-and-white patterns to capture your newborn's attention.

Color Discovery

Introduce bright colors and watch your baby track and respond to them.

Texture Exploration

Let your baby feel different textures like soft, bumpy, smooth, and rough.

Messy Food Fun

Embrace the mess as your baby explores food textures with their hands.

Barefoot Path

Walk barefoot on different surfaces for proprioceptive input.

Sensory Bin Discovery

Fill a bin with dried pasta, rice, or beans for tactile exploration.

Get Personalized Daily Activities

Download TinySteps for free. We pick the perfect activity for your child each day based on their age and development.

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