Best Sensory Toys for Toddlers

STEM and Spatial Skills

These brightly-colored, angular foam blocks challenge toddlers' logic and reasoning skills, and provide sensory stimulation to boot.

Popular set that encourages spatial and STEM thinking, and gives visual and tactile stimulation as well. Colorful foam blocks in assorted right-angle shapes that can be fit together countless ways. Each block has pyramid-shaped tactile nubs. Made from soft EVA foam, so they are recommended for children ages 2 and up who have passed the stage of chewing on most toys.

The nubs that make these blocks such great sensory toy makes it difficult to stack them more than two high. If this frustrates your child, consider using them like puzzle pieces.

Best Bang for the Buck

Water babies will love this fun bathtub set, with many options to hone visual tracking, as well as cause-and-effect and problem solving.

These eight colorful barrels can be used separately or connected for more intricate STEM play. Each barrel has an internal piece that spins, channels or rattles when water is added. Pouring water and visually tracking internal moving pieces engages advanced visual stimulation, and also reinforces cause-and-effect. Barrels come apart for easy cleaning.

Press and Stay Sensory Blocks

In some cases, the water just poured straight through rather than activating the internal parts.

Infantino

High Visual Contrast

Interlocking tacile nubs allow toddlers to fit these high-contrast blocks together, eliminating the frustrations that stacking presents most toddlers.

Set of 24 blocks with raised numbs that interlock for building, which is easier than stacking for most toddlers. These blocks can be built vertically or even sideways. Nubs provide tactile stimulation, while the blocks' high-contrast colors provide visual stimulation .Durable and easy to clean. BPA-free.

Balls, Blocks, and Cups Activity Set

Some say the blocks don't fit together as easily as expected. The nubs and block edges are a little too sharp for some parents liking.

infantino

Most Versatile

Includes a variety of durable toys that toddlers can use to build fine motor skills, explore STEM concepts and more.

Generous 16-piece set comes with 8 stacking cups, 4 squishy blocks and 4 tactile balls. Each set of items can be used independently or combined for even more exploration. Made from durable, easy-to-clean, flexible plastic. Chewable and soft-sided.

Disney® Moana Pua Pillow Pet with Sleeptime Lite

There are small holes in some pieces that can trap water.

Pillow Pets

Best for Bedtime

Toddlers love this toy's soft, plush fur as well as its fun rainbow lights. Parents love that the auto-shutoff conserves battery life.

Plush, officially licensed Disney toy that unfolds into a flat pillow. Features a built-in rainbow light that projects stars onto the ceiling. Adjustable light show options. Automatic shutoff after 20 minutes. Covered with soft, comfortable chenille. Reinforces cause-and-effect.