The Best Sensory Toys For Kids

Engaging in sensory play is a great way for kids to relax and focus. Unlike regular toys, sensory toys appeal to specific sensory systems and help children to regulate their senses. Whether it’s a unique texture on their fingers or a specific sound they can repeat over and over again, sensory toys offer a soothing and calming experience.

It’s important to note that there are seven sensory systems, not to be confused with the five senses (though there is some overlap). Also, each sensory system has overlap with others, so it’s best to look for toys that appeal to multiple sensory systems.

Proprioception is the sensory system that is about where our body is in relation to other things. Vestibular is the sense of balance and movement. The tactile sensory system is related to one’s sense of touch and what we can feel on our skin. Vision is about what we can see, while hearing is our auditory sensory system. Smell, as the name suggests, is the olfactory system. Lastly, the taste sensory system is the perception of how liquids, foods and other objects feel and taste in the mouth.

• When looking for sensory toys for kids, consider the types of activities your child seeks out — and which activities they avoid. This will help you determine what kind of sensory toy they’re most likely to enjoy. For example, does your child love jumping up and down on the furniture and have a difficult time containing their energy, or do they find it difficult to concentrate at daycare because there are too many visual and auditory things happening at once? Knowing which senses the toys can help focus will help you determine what kind of sensory toy your child needs.
• In addition to the seven sensory systems, some also consider interoception an important element to note. This is about understanding how the body is feeling and what it needs. For example, is the body hungry or thirsty? Does it feel tired? Is the body in pain? Toys that enable children to focus on their interoception skills can help kids learn how to identify what their bodies need in the moment.