Which sensory toy for babies is best?
Babies love to touch everything around them because it is their way of communicating with their surroundings. As a parent, one way to help your child develop this sense of communication is to let them play with sensory toys.
The ideal sensory toy should be a handy companion that your baby can play with at home or on the go. The Skip Hop Bandana Buddies is one engaging and fun toy that delivers on this.
What to know before you buy a sensory toy for your baby
Type
Whether a chewing toy, sensory cube or even a squeeze ball, sensory toys for babies come in different forms and help your child develop a particular skill. Some toys can help improve your child’s hand-eye coordination, while others stimulate their tactile sense. However, buying a particular type doesn’t mean it will produce the intended response in your child. For example, a sensory swing is a great tool to relax your child and make them comfortable, but some kids see it as scary and uncomfortable.
Age
There are toys for different ages, and you must note the age specification when buying your child a toy. Otherwise, you might buy one your kid has either outgrown or isn’t ready to use yet. For instance, your 3-month-old may be happy to play with rattles, squeeze toys or plush animals, but your 2-year-old toddler may not find those interesting. They’d likely rather go for books with illustrations, puzzle sets or shape sorters. Furthermore, toys that are too advanced for your child may pose safety concerns, so always go for toys that match your little one’s age.
Child’s needs
Kids get distracted easily, and one of the ways to ensure they maintain focus is to give them sensory toys that can keep them calm, like fidget spinners. Apart from helping your child find their inner chill, fidget toys can also be helpful for children who are on the spectrum or are dealing with ADHD. If you’ve noticed that your baby isn’t as active as you expect, sensory toys can be beneficial, especially toys like the dancing ball toy, which can help them practice skills such as dancing and jumping.
What to look for in a quality sensory toy for babies
Comfort
Babies are known for their emotional bursts. One way to diminish them and bring quiet to your home is to always have toys like the sensory ball to calm them down. These toys are soft, flexible and colorful. Once you hand them to your child, you can see them become quiet in minutes.
Purpose
Toys are learning tools, and this is something you should also keep in mind when buying one. Whether to help your child identify colors, sounds or textures, these toys’ designs have the same goal in mind. Toys like puzzles and books with illustrations improve language skills in toddlers, while squeeze toys, rattles or large rings improve hand-eye coordination in younger children.
Design
Babies will always love toys with eye-catching colors and soft textures, so you’ll have to consider this when buying their toys. Colorful toys can help develop your baby’s cognitive function, while those with soft fabric can be an appealing tool when they need something to squeeze or munch. A toy with a simple design can also boost creativity in your child and allow them to use their imagination.
How much you can expect to spend on a sensory toy for babies
Sensory toys for babies start at $13-$30, depending on the type you’re looking to buy and your child’s age.
Sensory toy for babies FAQ
What is the right age to introduce sensory toys?
A. Once your baby can open their hands and reach for things, you can introduce sensory toys to aid their hand-eye coordination. Furthermore, when you notice that your child is teething, usually at age 4 to 6 months, you can also introduce toys like chewing toys. Overall, you should watch your child’s behavior and interaction with their environment to determine the type of sensory toys that they need.
How often should I replace my baby’s toys?
A. Watch your baby’s interaction with the toy to observe their interest level. Once you notice they seem bored with a particular toy, it’s time to change to something else. However, babies usually have short attention spans, so the most exciting toys may not hold their attention for long. To solve this problem, always offer variety.
What’s the best sensory toy for babies to buy?
Top sensory toy for babies
What you need to know: It is a combination of a soft toy and a teether toy that is ideal for sensory play and can be used at home or on the go.
What you’ll love: The toy is designed for multisensory play thanks to its multiple textures, patterns and sounds. It also comes with an easily detachable soft textured teether that you can wear around your wrist and give to your child anytime.
What you should consider: When used as a bath time toy, some users complained that it doesn’t float well in water.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top sensory toy for babies for the money
Fisher-Price Taco Tuesday Gift Set
What you need to know: This cute set of food-themed toys is a perfect choice for teething babies as it gives them something to nibble on while stimulating your baby’s tactile senses.
What you’ll love: It features a removable link and convenient loops to ensure your baby never misses out on playing with this set of delicious sensory fun toys. The toys also come with various exciting textures designed for sensory play and to enhance your baby’s sense of touch.
What you should consider: Some parents mentioned that it looked much smaller than expected.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
Sassy Discover the Senses Gift
What you need to know: This toy set is designed to provide your baby with hours of entertainment while stimulating their different senses.
What you’ll love: This set of toys can grow with your child as it is suitable for newborn babies and 3-year-olds. It features a bumpy ball that can develop your child’s fine motor skills; there is also a set of brightly colored multi-textured ring links that can engage your baby’s vision and sense of touch.
What you should consider: Some parents complained about the suction design as it tends to come off too easily.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Ayotola Ogunsipe writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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