Top 10 Sensory Activities for Infants

Why are sensory games for infants important?

• Sensory experiences go hand-in-hand with cognitive development.

• These games support physical development as well.

• Sensory input is closely tied to emotional regulation.

• They are especially essential for babies who show unusual responses to sensory stimuli. If a child processes sensory input differently, these games can help address the issue early and support their adaptation.

• Sensory development is also closely connected to fine motor skills, which are necessary for actions like writing, lacing, buttoning clothes, and using cutlery.

Mirror Play

Visual perception is greatly enhanced through interaction with mirrors. For this type of sensory stimulation for infants, you can place a baby-safe, unbreakable mirror in front of the child or offer toys with reflective surfaces. Your baby will look at their own face, expressions, and movements, helping them develop not only visual skills but also self-awareness.

Offer mirrors that allow babies to touch and interact with their reflection. Start with observation, then progress to more interactive play: point out and name body parts like the mouth, ears, or nose. You can also make funny faces together.

Tummy Time with Sensory Activities

While placing your baby on their tummy, you can introduce a variety of sensory activities for infants. Offer materials with different textures: silk, knitted fabric, faux fur, fleece. Let your baby hold, squeeze, and explore them. Even the surface they lie on can vary in texture to provide new sensations.

You can also enhance tummy time with other sensory elements — play with shadows by adjusting light sources, explore how light reflects off shiny surfaces, or use glow-in-the-dark stickers. Include soft, glowing toys or fairy lights with a calm, slow flicker to avoid overstimulation.

Sensory Bin

Use a deep tray, a plastic container, or bins from a Sensory Table. Fill them with items of different textures, shapes, and colors. Let your baby grab, sort, and explore the materials. Great options include dry beans, rice, cotton balls, or natural elements like pinecones, pebbles, seashells, and leaves.

Jello Dig

Prepare sugar-free gelatin in a large container (to keep it from becoming sticky). Add small toys (like animal figures or real fruit pieces) inside the gelatin. Once it sets, give your baby a spoon or scoop to dig out the treasures. They can also explore it with their hands. Be prepared for cleanup, but the sensory experience is definitely worth it!

Hanging Mobile

Babies respond best to high-contrast colors like black, white, and red at an early age. Later, they begin to distinguish various shades. For visual stimulation, you can use a Baby Play Gym and attach high-contrast cards using lacing or string. This simple mobile can be observed, touched, and even used later in other games.

Musical Toys

Interacting with musical toys helps babies develop auditory perception, rhythm, and melody recognition. Musical play can take many forms, such as:

• Listening to lullabies and children’s songs;

• Singing songs together;

• Playing with rattles, xylophones, or baby drums;

• Clapping along to the beat;

• Exploring baby pianos or other age-appropriate instruments.

Later, when your child becomes more mobile, you can even dance together, or just sway and bounce while seated if your baby isn’t walking yet.

Making Oobleck from Cornstarch and Water

Oobleck, a non-Newtonian fluid, is a fantastic sensory experiment that infants will find fascinating. The recipe is simple: mix two cups of cornstarch (or potato starch) with one cup of water. When touched gently, it feels like a liquid — but if you smack it with your palm, it resists like a solid. This game becomes even more exciting if you add food coloring, glitter, or other safe sensory elements to the mix.

Finger Painting

Give your baby a sheet of paper or set up an easel, and offer safe, baby-friendly paints. Let them dip their fingers or entire hands into the paint and explore freely, making strokes and handprints. There’s no need for artistic masterpieces — just let them play with colors and feel the texture of the paint.

This is a double form of sensory stimulation for infants, combining tactile and visual development in one joyful activity.

Sandbox Play

Even if you don’t have an outdoor sandbox, you can easily recreate the experience indoors. Fill a sensory bin or a regular container with kinetic sand and let your baby:

• Use molds to shape the sand;

• Draw in it with fingers;

• Dig with small scoops or toy rakes;

• Fill and empty toy buckets.

Show your little one how fun it is to bury their hand in the sand and gently shake it off finger by finger. Every sandbox game is a unique sensory experience with its own developmental benefits.

Pasta Play

Give your baby dry pasta in various shapes to hold, sort, and transfer between containers. This is a fun way to enhance their sense of touch. You can even try using cooked and cooled pasta for an edible version of this activity — it adds a whole new dimension to their sensory exploration!

Bonus: Water Play

After a rich session of sensory activities for infants, a little splash time can be a perfect follow-up. Even bathtime can be full of fun and learning:

• Blow and catch bubbles;

• Make foam with a sponge and baby soap;

• Float rubber ducks or small water-safe toys.

Wrap up your sensory games with soothing water play and enjoy the double benefit of stimulation and relaxation!