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Best Sensory Toys for Toddlers

Updated June 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Infantino Balls, Blocks, and Cups Activity Set
Infantino
Sensory Balls, Blocks, and Cups Activity Set
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

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

Pros

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.

Cons

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

Best Bang for the Buck
Infantino Press and Stay Sensory Blocks
Infantino
Press and Stay Sensory Blocks
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High Visual Contrast
Bottom Line

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

Pros

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.

Cons

Some say the blocks don't fit together as easily as expected.

Pillow Pets Disney® Moana Pua Pillow Pet with Sleeptime Lite
Pillow Pets
Disney Moana Pua Pillow Pet with Sleeptime Lite
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Best for Bedtime
Bottom Line

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

Pros

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.

Cons

The plastic lightbox and battery case cover can be uncomfortable when lying on the middle of the pillow.

Fisher-Price Little People Caring for Animals Farm Playset
Fisher-Price
Little People Caring for Animals Farm
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Feature-Packed
Bottom Line

Our testers absolutely loved this toy for its fun sounds, multiple learning aspects, and durability thanks to high-quality materials.

Pros

A great set that helps teach kids various farm animal sounds and music. Comes with 1 farmer, 4 animals, and 2 food pieces. Lasts for a long while without the need to replace batteries. Good for ages 1-5, making it a toy that your child will enjoy for a long period of time.

Cons

We wish that it came with some sort of storage option for the figures.

EduShape Sensory Puzzle Blocks
EduShape
Sensory Puzzle Blocks
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STEM & Spatial Skills
Bottom Line

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

Pros

Popular set that encourages spatial and STEM thinking, and gives visual and tactile stimulation as well. 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.

Cons

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.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested the Fisher-Price Little People Caring for Animals Farm Playset to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

30
Models
Considered
99
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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