Sensory Toys

What Is Sensory Play?

Sensory is a word you’ll see everywhere, but a sensory toy should be more than a marketing label. Sensory play engages one or more of the senses through touch, sight, sound, movement, smell or, where appropriate, taste, giving children opportunities to explore and understand the world around them through hands on play.

Sensory toys can provide different types of sensory input while encouraging curiosity, fine and gross motor skills, concentration, problem solving and creative exploration. For some children, familiar textures, repetitive movements, squeezing, fidgeting or tactile play may also provide a useful outlet during moments of overstimulation or help support calm and emotional regulation.

When choosing sensory toys, look beyond the label. Different textures invite touch and exploration, colours and visual elements engage sight, movement and shapes encourage physical interaction and problem solving, while sounds introduce another layer of sensory discovery.

There is no single sensory toy that suits everyone. Some children seek lots of sensory input, while others can find particular sensations overwhelming. The best sensory play is about finding the textures, movements, sounds and experiences that feel engaging and enjoyable for the individual child.