Best Educational Sensory Toys for Kids and Toddlers
Educational sensory toys are specifically developed to stimulate a child’s five senses and aid in the development of neural pathways in the brain. They also encourage child’s learning, communication and can even them help develop soft and gross motor skills. Many doctors and therapists have recommended sensory toys as one of the best ways to support a child’s language development, cognitive progress, motor skills, and social interaction. However, finding the perfect educational sensory toys depending on the child’s need and interest can always be a challenge.
Sensory toys have also proven to be quite effective in helping kids, who have sensory difficulties or are in the autism spectrum, remain calm or concentrate. Here are some of the best sensory toys that are highly popular among both kids and their parents.,
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Best Educational Sensory Toys for Kids and Toddlers
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Play Sand - 2 LBS of Sand with Castle Molds and Tray
- Fun Sensory Sand – This sand is kinetic, so it sticks only to itself and not to you! This perpetually “wet” sand is engaging and is perfect to mold, shape, and squeeze. Kids can build castles, pyramids, and more with the 6 different molds included.
- Non-toxic and Mess-free – This hypoallergenic sand is non-toxic and super easy to clean up! A special mixture of sand that doesn’t dry out, allowing you to use it again and again.
“Very hard and dry feeling when you first open the bag but do not add water. Yes, it will feel like a dry brick. Fluff it up with your hand and let it sit and it does get soft and fluffy just like the images. Did not stain hands or anything else unless you use wet hands or get the sand wet. We squeezed it and smashed it into cookie cutter molds and never had any stains and it made the most gorgeous molded pieces” – Jaime
Double Sided Magnetic Letter Board - 2 in 1 Alphabet Magnets Tracing Board for Toddlers
- Upper and Lower Case – Double sided sensory learning board includes Upper case on one side and Lower case on the other side. The vowels in red and consonants in blue are convenient for children to learn pronunciation and grammar
- Great Tool to Teach Writing – Children using the stylus pen help them stay on the stroke – and they love to hear and see the metal beads pop up as they go. Then they can use their finger to erase each letter. With the sequence stroke and path direction instruction guide next to each alphabet character.
- Durable & Multi-faceted — All beads in solid plastic board, No small parts, safe for your little kids. The stylus pen is tied to the board so not easy to lose.
“Looking for something to get my daughter more interested in writing. I love the way this thing works, and even my toddler and 8 year old enjoy the tapping of the magnets as they pull into place. Has held up really well, and I love the design, which helps kids differentiate between consonant and vowels with a glance, and shows them how to write upper and lowercase letters — my eldest’s kindergarten teacher said she wishes more parents took the time to teach lowercase letters, as most kids come in trying to write in all caps. This is probably one of my favorite purchases for the kids ever.” – Angel Leya
Super Z Outlet Liquid Motion Bubbler for Sensory Play, Fidget Toy
- Fun & Engaging Sensory Toy – The descending bubbles have a soothing and mesmerizing effect that will keep kids entertained for hours. Gravity will guide the colored droplets travel down at slow motion pace. These educational sensory toys can help improve visual tracking skills.
- Soothing & Helps to Concentrate – This fun sensory toy’s slow and rhythmic drops have a very appeasing effect and actually help kids with sensory or hyperactivity issues. Makes perfect autism sensory toys to sooth and remain focused.
- Endless Fun– Super Z Outlet liquid motion bubbler provides endless hours of calming entertainment. Great as therapy toys and even stress relief toys. Never runs out of energy. Just flip over and start again.
“I gave this to my two year old daughter today as we had a long car ride ahead of us and she loved it. It kept her attention and you could tell she was trying to figure it out. I like this better than handing her an iPad. It’s a good size and seems quite sturdy. It doesn’t feel cheap at all.” – Kelley
Infinity Cube Fidget Toy, Sensory Tool EDC Fidgeting Game for Kids
- Best Sensory Fidgeting Toy – A palm top fidget toy for fidgeting. It relieves nervousness and anxiety while doing a task or simply waiting. It helps a fidgeter focus on the task at hand while lessening bad fidgeting habits such as nail and pen biting, leg shaking and knuckle cracking. It’s also great to simply pass time. As the coolest new and innovative fidgeting sensory toy, it makes fidgeting look cool and will be the the center of attention when played.
- Therapeutic Toy – A compact educational sensory toy that’s ideal for kids and individuals with autism, ADHD and hyperthyroidism. It helps relieve hyperactivity, restlessness, and agitation. It’s also great for people with finger and hand concerns. It helps improve hand and finger movements and sensitivity. Whether you’re staying at home or going out, this fidget cube is perfect for you.
- Safe & Sturdy– Made of premium ABS plastic blocks that’s BPA free and non-toxic, sturdy stainless steel links. Each cube is securely attached and will not come apart. The metal links are rust resistant and can withstand constant flipping or folding. The cube is certain to endure falls and hits.
- Portable Sensory Toy– At 1.7 inches in the square form and 3.3 x 1.7 in a rectangle is small and highly portable. It’s also noiseless so it can be played at school, during meetings classes, in the car or bus. Bring it anywhere and play anytime.
“I work for a larger company and I am responsible for 12 employees under me. I have at all times at least 4 to 5 stress balls and fidget gadgets at my desk. These help me overcome the anxiety of 12 people asking me questions all day long about state and federal regulations. This cube is by far my favorite and I have not put it down since I got it. Shipping was super fast and the Small Fish company owner personally emails you to make sure you are happy with your product.” – Sarah
Halilit Baby Rainmaker Mini Toy (8 inch) - Rain Stick Musical Instrument
- Educational Sensory Toy – The Halilit Baby Rainmaker Mini Toy (8 Inch) by Edushape was invented with the intent of providing soothing, relaxing rain-like sounds with each turn. The continuous shaking and gripping motions aid in the development of fine and gross motor skills.
- Sensory Development – The vibrant colors, fun noisemakers, and textured sections of this sensory developmental rhythm shaker help to engage visual, auditory and tactile senses in babies, toddlers and kids.
- Enhance Logic & Reasoning– Sensory engagement and tracking the beads inside of this rain stick musical instrument allows for the engagement and development of mental skills in children. This fun sensory toy is made with BPA and phthalate free plastic.
“I am giving this to my nephew who is almost a year old. The reason I chose this is that it appears rugged, colorful, and he will get instant feedback as he plays with it which will keep him engaged. I chose this size instead of the longer one because it is short enough that he should be able to manage it well independently and not hurt himself by accidentally whacking himself with it. Sometimes the longer lengths get out of control when they are swinging them around like little ninjas. I think he will like the colors, the movement, and the “rain” noise as the beads fall. It should last a long time even with banging and abuse. I am not scared of it breaking. I am guessing it would end up with a stress crack long before it would break.” – Unknown
Learning Resources Spike The Fine Motor Hedgehog, Sensory, Fine Motor Toy
- Fine Motor Games for Kids – This interactive sensory toy helps to build fine motor skills with chunky, peg-shaped pieces that fit to the back of this friendly hedgehog. Also, you can use Spike, educational sensory toy, as for occupational therapy exercises!
- Sensory Development – Colorful quills help kids build color recognition, sorting, and counting skills through fine motor skill games. Fne motor intrinsic toys come with easy to grasp pieces that are just the right size for little toddler and preschool hands to hold.
- Easy To Clean and Manage– Once playtime is over, the Hedgehog is a snap to clean up—each piece is made of plastic that can be easily wiped clean, and the quills stow snugly inside the Hedgehog body
“Love this product. It says 18+ months but it was fun for both of my kids (11 months and 3). It’s meant to help with fine motor skills. The spikes are rubber with different colors and you can put them in and take them out of the holes in the hedgehog. The best part is that when they’re done playing the hedgehog opens and you can store all the spikes in there so they don’t get lost. Definitely recommend this product” – Tony
Hape Beaded Raindrops - Mini Wooden Musical Shake & Rattle Rainmaker Toy
- Soothing Raindrop Sound – Kids can turn this rainmaker over and stimulate senses with vibrant trickling beads and soothing raindrop sounds.
- Sensory Development – This innovative sensory toy provides children with hours of musical entertainment by imitating the gentle sound of rain making it one of the best musical toy for sensory development.
- Easy Grip and Safe Play– With an easy-to-grip design, kids can use the sensory toy easily, developing their grabbing abilities as they play. The wooden part of the red Beaded Raindrops toy features round edges, making it safe for newborns.
“I bought this for my 8-month-old baby. He loves it! It’s a great introduction to noise/music and shaking! He is mesmerized by the little beads. It’s a quality product, very well made. I love the real wood on the ends. I feel safe giving this to my baby, as he likes to put everything in his mouth. I highly recommend this toy!” – Kiersten
Educational Insights Playfoam Combo 8-Pack - Sensory, Shaping Fun, Arts & Crafts For Kids
- Art & Craft for Kids with Playfoam – Kids get to express their creativity, with squishy, squashy Playfoam that never dries out!
- 30 Ways to Play – There are endless ways to play with Playfoam, but the guide includes 30 awesome ways to play with this sensory toy.
- Never Dries Outc Kids can simply squish up the sensory toy, shape it however they like, then squash it back down and start all over again.
- Safe & Non-toxic – Playfoam is non-toxic, gluten free, and nut free making it a pefect sensory toy for kids.
“I got this foam for our girls, who are 7 years old. They were absolutely infatuated! First they experimented with combining colors, then they took to building elaborate things. Buildings, characters, creatures. They were engrossed in this pretend world where they could create anything- the foam holds its shape much more easily than playdough. It is very very lightweight, so your buildings can be completely top-heavy and still stand up. To our amazement, they sat there playing with this at the table for 4 hours!!! Laughing, singing, doing silly voices. I’ve never seen anything hold their attention so long. When they were done, they just put the foam in a ziplock bag and there was nothing to clean up.
Our dining table has a glossy white surface, this left no marks or stains. No messes like with playdough, kinetic sand, etc. We only gave them half of the colors so we still have half the pack for some future occasion where we need them out of our hair. Though for less than 10 bucks, even if they never touch it again it was worth it. As far as some of the negative reviews, I would honestly say please use common sense. Don’t use this on carpets. Don’t let your kid stick it to the curtains or the cat. For an activity to do sitting down calmly, it’s great. If your kiddo is still a tot and will try to put the foam in their nose, I’d say hang onto it until they’re a bit older and can appreciate it more.” – Zhandra
Buckle Toys Busy Board - Learning Activity Toy
- Development – This sensory toy assists toddlers and those with special needs, to develop fine motor and cognitive skills, hand-eye coordination and problem solving
- Educational Sensory Toy – Colorful buckles, shoe laces, snap pocket, shapes and zipper in this interactive sensory toy teach early learning fundamentals children need to know.
- Easily Portable – All-in-one educational sensory toy provides a variety of activities and prevents losing small pieces; Soft foam material is flexible weighing less than a pound which makes it easily portable.
“I bought this for my infant around 3-4 months old. It has always been a top favorite, but unlike the other favorites, this remains to stay a favorite. It was great for 3-4 months old and she would easily lay on her tummy and play with all the straps and laces. Plus gave tummy time clocked in time easily earned. Then around 5-6 months she would chew and drool on the lace, and it is safe to chew, no way she is getting it unthreaded at this age. Now 7 months in and the shoelace and zipper are her busy board jam. I have no doubt it will continue to entertain for many years to come. Good clean, quiet, safe portable fun! A must!” – Amandakat
