Babies need stimulation as they grow to expand their minds and help them learn new things. Their curious little brains absorb everything around them like a sponge, and feeding that inquisitiveness is vital. Sensory play is an excellent way for them to learn how their bodies work and develop their understanding of the world, but constantly buying toys can get expensive.

Instead of running to the store, try your hand at these seven low-cost, do-it-yourself (DIY) sensory toys your baby will love.

1. Stackers

Do you or someone in your household love sports drinks? Put those large lids to use by creating a stacking game for your baby. 

Present them with the cleaned lids. They can touch them to feel the smooth top and groves inside. Different colors stimulate their sight, and stacking them together teaches them to place and arrange items where they want them to go. 

2.   Soft Blocks

If you have some fabric scraps and a sewing machine, you can make your baby their own set of blocks. 

Fill them with fluff and crinkly items and cover the outsides with smooth, slightly rough or plush material. Ensure the seams are tight so they don’t come apart, and let your baby shake, squish and stack their blocks as they discover new sounds, shapes, and textures. 

3.   Tug Box 

Babies love to discover new things, and you can let them find prizes by creating a tug box. All you need to do is take an old cardboard box and cut holes large enough for them to stick their little arms in without getting stuck. Use a file to smooth out any rough edges around the holes. 

Place different sensory items in their box, like rattles, teethers, ribbons, and balls with various textures and colors. They can practice pulling things in and out and exploring each item. 

4.   Teething Treats 

This sensory activity doubles as an excellent way to relieve sore gums. Based on your child’s age and development, you can create teethers out of fruits and vegetables that let your little one explore their sense of taste. 

Always consult your pediatrician before introducing homemade teethers to ensure they’re appropriate for your baby’s health and development. Good chewing and swallowing skills can help prevent them from choking. 

Place a raw fruit or vegetable that is small enough to fit in their mouth but large enough for them not to swallow whole in the refrigerator or freezer until it is cool and firm. Options include carrots, apple slices, seedless watermelon, bananas and cucumber slices. 

5.   Discovery Board 

Attach leftover zippers, deadbolts, loofahs, felt paper, and other odds and ends to a smooth wooden board to entertain your baby and teach them how things work. They can practice locking and unlocking the deadbolts, squishing on the coarse but soft texture of a sponge or loofah, and feeling the smoothness of paper or softness of felt. Older babies can begin exploring how to close and open zippers or tie and untie shoelaces. 

6.   Drums 

Empty formula or coffee cans can create fun drums for your baby to make music with. Rinse them out and secure the lids with nontoxic glue. You can decorate their drums with construction paper, cloth or paint. 

Smooth wood rods or spoons make excellent mallets for little hands. Beating on the drums lets them hear the sound they create, feel the vibration, and see the impact as their mallet hits the plastic top. They can also explore the difference between hitting the sides and the top. 

7.   Light Board

Secure small stick-on wall lights to a board to create a light-up experience for your little one. Before doing this, ensure the bulbs are cool to the touch and don’t emit enough rays to damage your little one’s eyes. 

You can apply nontoxic spray paint on the covers to make them more opaque. Once it’s dry, check to see if it bothers you to place your eye against it with the light on, like your baby is sure to do. 

Lights can awaken and fascinate your baby’s senses, especially if they are different colors and shapes. They can press or switch the light on and off to practice their motor skills and see the various results. 

What Makes a Good Baby Sensory Toy?

A sensory toy helps your child know their primary senses: sound, sight, touch, hearing, taste, body awareness, and spatial awareness. These toys provide new adventures for your little one. Scientists believe that 75% of babies’ brain development happens after birth, so this is the ideal time to encourage curiosity. They are experiencing the world for the first time, and controlled sensory experiences offer a safe and entertaining way for them to explore. 

The toys can improve fine and gross motor skills, introduce new colors and textures, improve hand-eye coordination, encourage positive social interactions and help with emotional regulation. These DIY activities promote some or all of these skills.

Baby toys must be as safe as possible. You should always supervise your infant or toddler during playtime, but accidents happen. Avoid toxic substances, choking hazards and sharp edges when making or choosing toys for your baby. 

Creating Sensory Activities for Your Baby

Your baby wants to explore things and have new experiences. Sensory toys provide opportunities to safely expand their knowledge and skills to help prepare them for interacting with the world.

What are some of your favorite games to play with your baby?