There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” sensory toy. The best ones are tailored to meet your child’s individual needs and preferences, and they’re worth the investment – even if you have to buy multiple pieces.
Sensory toys can be used for playtime or to help with developmental challenges, but they also provide valuable educational benefits that will set your child up for success in life. If you’re planning on getting one for your little one, here’s what you need to know before you get started.
What Are Sensory Toys?
We’ve mentioned that there’s not really a single definition of sensory toys, but we can tell you that they’re anything that stimulates the senses. You may have heard of some popular brands like BabyLegs, which is a leg-based sensory toy that has lights, bells, and squeakers built right into them. Others are more abstract, like this sensory ball from the company Squeel, which has different textures that stimulate touch, sight, sound, and smell. They’re all great examples of sensory toys, but many other items fall into the category, too. For example, a teething ring or chewable stuffed animal is a toy that stimulates your baby’s sense of touch and taste. A rattlesnake toy (like this one) would be a good choice for children who love hearing things move around.
A person can plan to use the adults on the spectrum will love these toys that are available for the people. In the long run the toys will give good results. The main motive of the people is to reach the goals that will give some good results. The person can plan to be on the platform and make good returns.
Is It Necessary to Buy Multiple Pieces?
Most people agree that it’s better to spend money on quality than quantity when buying sensory toys. That doesn’t mean you should only buy one piece at a time, though. In fact, if you have a more challenging child, you might want to consider getting two or three items at once. This way you’ll be able to switch it out every so often and keep him interested for longer.
It’s also important to note that some toys perform better over time. Some toys are made to be used frequently and then discarded after a few months, while others last for years. So if you think about it, you could potentially save yourself a lot of money by going ahead and purchasing several pieces rather than just one. But if you do decide to splurge on a pricey item, make sure it’s something that won’t break easily. Remember, you don’t want to end up replacing it constantly because it gets broken.
How Do I Find Good Brands?
While shopping for sensory toys is much easier now than it was when we were kids, it’s still not always easy to find high-quality products that suit your child’s specific needs. Luckily, many online retailers offer a wide variety of options that are guaranteed to be safe for your child. Most of these companies sell their products directly through their own websites, but you can sometimes find them on Amazon or other places online too. Here are some of our favorite brands:
BabyLegs –
These little wooden legs come in a range of colors, so they’re perfect for toddlers who love to color. Not only that, but each leg has an LED light inside that glows brightly whenever you turn it on.
Lil’ Tots –
Lil’ Tots makes a large selection of toys that are designed specifically for babies under 6 months old. They have lots of fun shapes and bright colors that are sure to appeal to your little one.
Little People –
Little People makes a wide assortment of soft toys, including animals, trucks, and cars. All of the designs are adorable and have plenty of features that will appeal to your baby, toddler, or preschooler.
Squeel –
Squeel offers a huge number of items, from balls to stuffed animals to rattles. The company strives for safety and comfort, so you can rest assured that all of their toys are well made.
Which Sensory Toys Should I Look For?
Choosing the right sensory toys isn’t quite as simple as choosing between a rattle and a ball. There are many factors that go into it, and you should base your decision on how active your baby is. Is he more likely to enjoy objects that move around or static objects that play music? Does he prefer soft toys or harder toys? Does he like bright lights or soothing sounds? How long does he usually play for?
Once you’ve figured out your baby’s likes and dislikes, you can start looking into the types of toys available. Once again, there are certain characteristics to look for, but there are also some broader categories you can choose from.
Activity Based Toys –
Activity based toys tend to involve moving parts, so they generally aren’t very heavy or bulky. Some of the most common activity based toys include rattles, spinners, musical mobiles, and interactive games. The reason why they’re so appealing is that your baby will probably be engaged for longer periods of time since they’re constantly busy playing.
Music Based Toys –
Music based toys feature a series of objects that interact with one another using different elements. Your child will hear different sounds, see images flash across the screen, and feel cool vibrations. As a result, they’re both entertaining and relaxing. Many of these kinds of toys also have educational value because they teach your child about rhythm and repetition.
Visual Stimulation Toys –
Visual stimulation toys don’t require any movement at all. Instead, they rely solely on what your baby sees to engage his attention. Some of the most common types of visual stimulation toys include puzzle cubes, blocks, and dolls.
You should also take a look at how each product is made. Some are manufactured in China and may contain harmful chemicals, while others are handcrafted and use natural materials.
Where Can I Get My Baby’s First Set Of Sensory Toys?
Now that you know what to look for when shopping for sensory toys, you can start thinking about where you want to buy them. The first place that comes to mind is definitely your local big box store. Unfortunately, the majority of the products sold there are generic toys that are made to be cheap and disposable. We recommend skipping those and instead looking for higher quality, specialized items that are made to last.
However, you don’t necessarily have to wait until your baby is old enough to walk around the store to get some great sensory toys. Most big box stores and toy departments carry a decent assortment of toys, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding the perfect gifts if you shop online.
Another option is to check out your local library. Many libraries have toy sections that are stocked with tons of toys that you can borrow for free! Just be sure to read the rules carefully before bringing the items home, and never leave them unattended near small children.
