Sensory activities are a great way to encourage development and foster learning in babies and toddlers. From newborns to 18-month-olds, introducing different sensory experiences can help babies explore the world around them. Whether it's through sound, sight, touch, taste, or smell, stimulating activities are a great way to stimulate a baby's senses and spark their curiosity.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the fun activities that can be done with 0-18 month olds, helping parents get creative with their babies' first sensory adventures.
1) Understanding Sensory Play
Sensory play is a type of play that engages a child's senses, helping them explore and make sense of the world around them. It involves providing different materials and experiences that stimulate the senses, such as textures, sounds, and visuals. Through sensory play, babies and toddlers can develop important skills like fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and language development.
It also encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and cognitive development. Understanding sensory play can help parents create meaningful and engaging activities for their little ones. Let's dive deeper into the benefits and explore some exciting sensory activities for different age groups!
2) Benefit of Sensory Activities for Infants
Sensory activities provide numerous benefits for infants. These activities promote brain development, fine motor skills, and cognitive abilities.
Sensory play also helps infants learn cause and effect, problem-solving skills, and language development. Additionally, it stimulates their senses, allowing them to explore and understand the world around them. Engaging in sensory activities with your infant can enhance their overall development and create meaningful experiences for both of you.
3) Simple Sensory Activities for 0-3 Months
During the first three months of a baby's life, sensory activities can be simple yet impactful.
Try placing your baby on a soft blanket and gently tickling their toes with a feather to stimulate their sense of touch.
You can also introduce them to different sounds by softly jingling a set of keys near their ears.
These activities help babies begin to explore their senses and lay the foundation for future sensory adventures. Remember to always supervise your baby during sensory play for their safety.
4) Engaging Sensory Activities for 3-6 Months
At 3-6 months, babies are starting to become more curious and aware of their surroundings. Engaging sensory activities can help stimulate their senses and promote their development.
Try using different textured toys or fabrics for them to explore with their hands. Introduce them to simple rattles or squeaky toys to enhance their auditory skills.
You can also encourage tummy time on a soft mat with bright colors and patterns to engage their visual senses. These activities will keep your little one engaged and entertained!
5) Stimulating Sensory Activities for 6-9 Months
Now that your baby is between 6-9 months old, they are becoming more active and curious about the world around them.
Here are five stimulating sensory activities to engage their senses and promote their development during this stage.
- Create a sensory bin filled with safe objects for them to explore, such as soft balls or textured toys.
- Set up a water play station with shallow water and colorful bath toys for them to splash around in.
- Use safe edible paint to create hand and footprints with your baby, allowing them to explore different textures and colors.
- Set up a mirror in their play area for them to observe their reflections and practice self-awareness.
- Finally, introduce them to different scents by placing scented cotton balls or jars with fragrant spices near them. These activities will keep your little one engaged and stimulate their growing senses!
6) Interactive Sensory Activities for 9-12 Months
During the 9-12 month stage, babies are becoming more interactive and curious about their environment.
Set up a sensory bin with different textured objects for them to explore. Use a plastic zipper bag filled with colorful, squishy gel to create a sensory experience. Set up an obstacle course with pillows, tunnels, and safe objects to encourage movement and exploration.
Provide musical instruments for your baby to explore different sounds and rhythms.
Finally, try sensory bottles filled with glitter, water, or small objects for your baby to shake and investigate. These activities will keep your little one entertained while promoting their cognitive and motor skills development.
7) Creative Sensory Activities for 12-18 Months
Now that your little one is between 12-18 months old, they are ready for more creative and interactive sensory activities!
Create a sensory bin filled with different materials like rice, pasta, and fabric for them to explore.
Set up a nature sensory walk where they can touch and feel different textures outside.
Let them create art using different materials like foam, yarn, and textured paper. Use a bubble machine to introduce them to the wonders of bubbles.
Finally, create a sensory obstacle course with pillows, tunnels, and objects for them to climb over and explore.