14 Best Sensory Tactile Toys For Infant, Preschool & Kindergarten

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: November 1, 2023

Sensory toys are specially designed to stimulate the senses and promote development. They come in many shapes and sizes, from simple fidget balls to complex sensory boards. They are crucial for children to improve their motor skills, body awareness and sensory processing.

There are many types of engaging sensory toys. Examples are tactile toys that stimulate the sense of touch with different textures and auditory toys that stimulate the hearing with music or sounds.

Not every toy is the same, so in this article I will help you choose with extensive comparisons. Choose below which information you are specifically looking for.

In the table below you will find the best products based on price.

Image	Name	Price euros	Price dollar	Price/quality
	Nutty Toys Pop Tubes	€5,14	$8.97	7.2
	Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube	€14,07	$13.98	9.2
	Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy	€18,15	$18.91	8.7
	Twiddlers Liquid Motion Bubbler	€18,99	$23.78	7.4
	Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath Toy Figure	€20,49	$24.98	8.2
	Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box	€24,74	$17.99	9.6
	Spin Master Kinetic Sand	€24,99	$15.76	8.7
	Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set	€26,29	$21.99	9.2
	Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo	€42,99	$29.95	7.8
	Lamaze Octotunes	€48,70	$33.99	8.2
	TickiT Rainbow Blocks	€59,89	$35.00	8.4
	Costway Platform Swing	€64,99	$66.99	8.2
	Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board	€79,95	$83.97	8.9
	Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks	€129,27	$116.23	7.4

The Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube is the cheapest toy at €14,07 ($13,98). This compact, handy toy is made of plastic (but BPA-free), which contributes to the low price. The Schylling brand has won several awards, which underlines the price-quality ratio of 9,2. The Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy is slightly more expensive, €18,15 ($18,91), but offers a high value for money of 8,7. These plush toys are more expensive due to the more complex manufacturing.

For €24,74 ($17,99) you can have the Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box, a recyclable plastic toy with a high price-quality ratio of 9,6. The Taf Toys brand has won several awards, which justifies the price. The Spin Master Kinetic Sand is slightly cheaper, €24,99 ($15,76), but has a lower value for money of 8,7 due to its simple manufacturing.

The Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set costs €26,29 ($21,99) and offers a value for money of 9,2. The higher price is due to the 65 parts and the clay works great.

The TickiT Rainbow Blocks are more expensive, €59,89 ($35,00), but offer a high value for money of 8,4. These blocks are made of sustainable rubberwood, which explains the higher price. The TickiT brand has won several awards, which justifies the price.

The most expensive toy is the Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board for €79,95 ($83,97). This balance board is made of sustainable bamboo and is water resistant, which explains the high price. Despite the high price, it offers a reasonable value for money of 8,9.

In the table below you will find the best products based on age.

Image	Name	From	Best age	Everything
	Twiddlers Liquid Motion Bubbler	8 months	1 years	5 years
	Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box	9 months	1 years	2 years
	Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo	0 years	1 years	3 years
	Lamaze Octotunes	1 years	1 years	3 years
	TickiT Rainbow Blocks	1 years	3 years	6 years
	Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy	2 years	2 years	4 years
	Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath Toy Figure	2 years	3 years	6 years
	Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board	2 years	3 years	8 years
	Nutty Toys Pop Tubes	2 years	3 years	99 years
	Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set	3 years	3 years	6 years
	Costway Platform Swing	3 years	3 years	10 years
	Spin Master Kinetic Sand	3 years	3 years	8 years
	Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube	3 years	4 years	12 years
	Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks	3 years	5 years	10 years

Starting with the youngest age, the Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo ideal for children from 0 years. Made from non-toxic material, it provides a simple block-themed activity, perfect for children aged 1 to 2.

Then we have the Twiddlers Liquid Motion Bubbler, suitable for children from 8 months. With its simple design it is perfect for children aged 1 to 2 years.

The Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box is another option for children aged 9 months and over. It's made of non-toxic material and has a shape-solving theme, making it ideal for children aged 1 to 2 years.

There are two options for children aged 1 year and over: the TickiT Rainbow Blocks and the Lamaze Octotunes. Both are made of safe materials and offer simple activities. The TickiT Rainbow Blocks are best suited for children aged 3 to 5 years, while the Lamaze Octotunes work best for children aged 1 to 2 years.

The Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board is a good choice for children aged 2 years and over. It has rounded corners for safety and is best suited for children aged 3 to 5 years.

Finally, for children aged 3 and over, the Spin Master Kinetic Sand a great option. It is made from non-toxic material and provides an art-themed activity, ideal for children aged 3 to 6 years.

In the table below you will find the best products based on playing time.

Image	Name	Playtime	Theme	Play value
	Spin Master Kinetic Sand	Longer (10-30 min)	Art	9.2
	Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks	Longer (10-30 min)	Blocks	9.4
	Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board	Longer (10-30 min)	Balance	8.5
	TickiT Rainbow Blocks	Longer (10-30 min)	Blocks	9.1
	Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set	Longer (10-30 min)	Art	9.0
	Costway Platform Swing	Longer (10-30 min)	Playset	7.8
	Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube	Longer (10-30 min)	Handheld	8.2
	Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box	Longer (10-30 min)	Shape sorter	9.1
	Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath Toy Figure	Longer (10-30 min)	Players	8.3
	Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy	Longer (10-30 min)	Players	8.2
	Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo	Short (<10 min)	Blocks	8.7
	Nutty Toys Pop Tubes	Short (<10 min)	Handheld	8.7
	Lamaze Octotunes	Short (<10 min)	Hug	8.3
	Twiddlers Liquid Motion Bubbler	Short (<10 min)	None	7.8

The Spin Master Kinetic Sand offers a longer playing time and has a calming effect. The texture encourages sensory play and its versatility encourages creativity. It scores higher on ease of use and open-ended than the Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks.

The Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks also offers a longer playing time and scores high on imagination and versatility, which contributes to the longer playing time.

The Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board also offers a longer playing time. Although it scores less on ease of use, it has a higher intensity for fun active playing sessions. It does score lower on social interaction and interactivity than the Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks.

The TickiT Rainbow Blocks also provide longer playing time. They score higher on imagination and are easier to combine than the Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board. They are just less versatile.

The Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set also offers a longer playing time. Although it scores less on combining, it has more parts, which makes it fun to play for longer.

The Costway Platform Swing scores lower on open-endedness and imagination than the Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set, but the higher intensity can contribute to longer play time.

The Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube scores less on social interaction and interactivity, but has a higher ease of use and you can easily knead anywhere with it.

The Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box scores high on open-endedness and imagination for a wonderfully creative play session.

The Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath Toy Figure scores less on social interaction, but has higher ease of use, because you can use it directly in the bath. It is only for use in the water and therefore scores lower on versatility and combination.

The Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy scores lower on open-endedness and imagination than the Glo Pals, but there's a lot to fiddle with and try out so it will keep them busy for a long time.

The Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo offers a shorter playing time. Although it scores higher on imagination and versatility, it has fewer parts, which can limit playtime.

The Nutty Toys Pop Tubes also offer shorter playing time. They score higher on ease of use than the Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo, but the lower intensity can limit playtime and they can only really be used in one way.

In the table below you will find the best products based on sustainability.

Image	Name	Growing	By	Material
	Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board	9.8	Sustainable production	Wood
	TickiT Rainbow Blocks	9.5	Sustainable production	Wood
	Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks	9.2	Sustainable production	Wood
	Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath Toy Figure	8.7	Recycled material	Plastic packaging
	Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box	8.5	Recyclable	Plastic packaging
	Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy	8.4	Future plans	Plush
	Nutty Toys Pop Tubes	5.5	Not biodegradable	Plastic packaging
	Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set	4	Not biodegradable	Clay

The Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board with a sustainability score of 9.8, is made from FSC wood and/or bamboo, both from sustainably managed sources. Bamboo is as strong as iron and harder than most hardwoods, produces more oxygen and absorbs more nitrogen than trees. The varnishes and paints used are water-based and the glue does not contain formaldehyde.

The TickiT Rainbow Blocks with a sustainability score of 9.5, are certified non-toxic, meaning they do not contain phthalates, lead or cadmium. All solid wood used for their range comes from ethically and sustainably managed forests and plantations.

The Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks with a sustainability score of 9.2, are made from an environmentally friendly hardwood called Huesito. This wood is readily available in the forests of Honduras and is sustainable when harvested responsibly.

The Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath Toy Figure with a sustainability score of 8.7, are made from 100% recycled plastic. They offer a discount if you send a photo of yourself recycling the glo pals.

The Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box with a sustainability score of 8.5, are made of recyclable plastic. All their packaging is made from recyclable material and can also be recycled.

The Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy with a sustainability score of 8.4, are made with at least 30% renewable materials using a mix of mass balance and plant-based plastics.

The Nutty Toys Pop Tubes with a sustainability score of 5.5, are made from non-recyclable or recycled plastic.

The Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set with a sustainability score of 4, is made from a mixture of water, salt, flour and other synthetic materials, including petroleum-based additives and dyes. These synthetic materials do not break down easily in the environment and can take hundreds of years to decompose.

In the table below you will find the best products based on educational value.

Image	Name	Edu score	Learning objective
	Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo	9.0	Eye-hand coordination
	Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks	9.0	Fine motor skills
	Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box	8.9	Sensory play
	Spin Master Kinetic Sand	8.8	Fine motor skills
	TickiT Rainbow Blocks	8.9	Expression: creative play
	Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board	8.7	Gross motor skills
	Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy	8.2	Fine motor skills
	Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set	8.1	Fine motor skills

The Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo en Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks share the highest educational score of 9.0. Both encourage physical development and hand-eye coordination. The Tobbles Neo, with its texture and simple block construction, offers short play time, while the Tegu Set, with its magnetic blocks, encourages longer play time and fine motor skills.

Close by, with a score of 8.9, are the Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box en TickiT Rainbow Blocks. Both offer extended play time and encourage sensory play. The Tissue Box, with its shape sorting theme, stimulates cognitive development. The Rainbow Blocks, with their light sensory stimulation, promote creative play.

The Spin Master Kinetic Sand scores 8.8 and, like the Tegu Set, stimulates fine motor skills. Play time is longer and the art theme provides a different form of sensory stimulation.

With a score of 8.7, it is stimulating Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural Balance Board gross motor skills and offers longer play time. The balance theme sets it apart from the other products.

The Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy scores 8.2 and, like the Tegu Set and Kinetic Sand, stimulates fine motor skills. Play time is longer and the doll theme provides a different form of sensory stimulation.

The Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set has the lowest score of 8.1 but still stimulates fine motor skills. The play time is longer and the art theme provides a different form of sensory stimulation, similar to the Kinetic Sand.

Below are the detailed reviews of the 14 best sensory toys where we rank according to our “Toy score”. This is based on the play value, price/quality, replayability, safety, durability and the materials used.

The play value, together with the price-quality ratio, is the most important thing. After all, the toy must be fun to play with and when it's too expensive, no one can afford it.

Sensory toys are mainly used to help children regulate their sensory information and improve their behavior. Research shows that sensory toys are beneficial for children's social and emotional development, offering them the opportunity to learn and develop in a fun and engaging way.

From toddler to toddler activity book collection

Educational games and coloring pages for 3 to 6 years

Your toddler and preschooler will love this e-book, along with the accompanying printables. He or she can play with it at every stage of development, together with mom and dad.

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1. Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box (9.2)

Best sensory pull toys

Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box

9.2

Toy score

Play value

4.6

Price/quality

4.8

Replayability

4.4

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Best for

• Lots of ways to play with
• Stimulates sensory play and fine motor skills

Less good

• They grow out of it pretty quickly

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• From: 9 months
• Best: 1 – 2 years
• Up to: 2 years

The Taf Toys Sensory Tissue Box is a box with an opening, just big enough for baby hands, with wipes of different materials. This gives it many ways to play with, something that greatly improves replayability.

There are crinkle wipes, very light wipes that can float when your baby throws them and also perfect for pulling scarves to see what color comes out of the box. The ease of use is high and it is easy to carry.

Taf Toys has also invested heavily in environmentally friendly play materials and the plastic is recyclable.

2.Spin Master Kinetic Sand (9.0)

Best kinetic sand

Spin Master Kinetic Sand

9.0

Toy score

Play value

4.6

Price/quality

4.4

Replayability

4.6

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Best for

• Great fun for endless replayability
• Lasts a long time, actually infinite unless you get it dirty

Less good

• It's not really magnetic
• Difficult to build structures

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• From: 3 years
• Best: 3 – 6 years
• Up to: 8 years

Kinetic Sand is often referred to as magnetic sand because it kind of sticks together, but it's not really magnetic. This gives it extra educational value because it feels good and you can model anything with it. Perfect for fine motor skills and creativity.

It feels really weird the first time you hold it, like wet sand but dry and like it should move differently than it does, sliding through your hand. This composition ensures that it does not dry out like clay and has a long life. If you take good care of it, it will last forever. It is also perfect to combine with sandbox toys or dinos or cars, all of which benefit the replayability.

The "magnetic" properties of the sand make it ideal for indoor use as it will not go all over your floor as loose grains, but will stick together more like loose slices or balls of sand. Good for ease of use and play value. In addition, it is perfect for open-ended play.

When you start with magnetic sand I would advise to start with just a basic set like this one from Spin Master, just sand colored and you probably still have a container somewhere where they can play with it.

In any case, I would use a large plate or container with a little raised edges so that it doesn't fly all over the room.

The material is made of non-toxic polymers and is even free of wheat, gluten and casein.

3. TickiT Rainbow Blocks (8.8)

Best sensory wooden building toys

TickiT Rainbow Blocks

8.8

Toy score

Play value

4.6

Price/quality

4.2

Replayability

4.6

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Best for

• Fun and interactive way to learn about colors and shapes
• Made of sturdy wood and have a sturdy construction

Less good

• A bit more pricey compared to other building blocks

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• From: 1 years
• Best: 3 – 5 years
• Up to: 6 years

These TickiT Rainbow Blocks are amazing and a great way to learn colors. Children can simply stack them in front of the window and the light will shine through. You can also use a separate light table. This makes it extremely educational and versatile.

They are ideal for group play and can promote children's social and emotional development. In addition, they are also suitable for children with special needs, as they can help with focus and language development.

The play value is high because they are easy to use and appeal to the imagination in open-ended play where you can build anything or mix colors and it encourages social interaction because it is almost irresistible not to interfere with the colors .

The replayability is also very high because you can combine the blocks in all kinds of games, for example as houses in fantasy play, and the durability of the material is very good. They are just a bit difficult to carry because of their size.

The blocks are made of sturdy wood with a translucent acrylic plastic in the middle, and we haven't been able to break one of them, even after six months of playing. They are designed for children from one to three years old, but I think four and even five years old can learn even more from them by combining the colors and going deeper into how colors work.

4. Kinderfeets Kinderboard Natural (8.8)

Best vestibular toys

Children's parties Children's board Natural Balance Board

8.8

Toy score

Play value

4.3

Price/quality

4.5

Replayability

4.5

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Best for

• Sturdy wooden construction
• Can be used in many different ways
• Stimulates gross motor skills

Less good

• Quite pricey
• Great for lots of pretend play

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• From: 2 years
• Best: 3 – 5 years
• Up to: 8 years

Even before they can use it as a balance board, it is already great for open-ended play. This way it can serve as a bridge or tunnel, just like the Grimm's rainbows. It appeals to the imagination and this is great for the play value. But as they get a little older, it can also stimulate gross motor skills.

This versatility is also great for replayability. It can stand in the nursery or living room and be reached whenever a large object is needed.

Kinderfeets uses ecologically friendly stains and lacquers to color the balance board. These are more expensive than solvent-based alternatives. The board is made of bamboo, a raw material that recovers much faster than hardwood. A very sustainable brand that also won the 2018 Family Choice Awards.

The material is sturdy and can support a weight of up to 220 kg.

5. Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks (8.7)

Overall best magnet blocks

Tegu 42 Wooden Set of Magnetic Blocks

8.7

Toy score

Play value

4.7

Price/quality

3.7

Replayability

4.1

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Best for

• Sustainable wooden toys
• Sturdy magnets
• Wheels in the set give more to do

Less good

• Very pricey

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• From: 3 years
• Best: 5 – 8 years
• Up to: 10 years

Tegu is a responsible brand that its wooden toys in Honduras is made from sustainable wood. The quality is therefore excellent. Besides the fact that the paint flakes off easily, we haven't seen a splinter in 3 years. This quality also comes at a price, perhaps even a little too high because the price-quality ratio is the only thing keeping the toy from getting a play score above 9.

This is a toy that really appeals to the imagination. You can really make anything with it and it also ensures a lot of open-ended play. In addition, the magnets are strong enough to actually play with what has been built, so that the possibilities to combine it with other toys are endless. All this benefits both the play value and the replayability.

This set has blocks in different shapes and the slats also ensure that you can do a lot more.

For example, you can make perfect house constructions, or a real race car:

Because of the magnets in the wood you really hear a click when 2 "stick" against each other. Together with the sensory experience of the natural wood, this provides good feedback, which encourages more play.

Is that worth the extra money than plastic magnetic blocks, for example? I think so. It is good for your child to play closer to nature.

6. Fat Brain Toys Tobbles Neo (8.5)

Best stimulating toy for infants

Fat brain toys Tobble's Neo

8.5

Toy score

Play value

4.5

Price/quality

3.9

Replayability

4.5

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Best for

• Stimulates fine motor skills and sensory development
• Easy to hold

Less good

• Quite pricey

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• From: 0 years
• Best: 1 – 2 years
• Up to: 3 years

Unique design with each block shaped like a half-broken egg. Each block has a two-tone combination of vibrant colors and the texture is stimulating and makes it easy to stack. The educational value is high for fine motor skills, but it also stimulates the awareness of cause and effect through the reinforced base. This way they keep spinning for a long time when they are pushed or dropped.

The play value is high because they are very open-ended and stimulate the imagination. The replayability is also good due to their versatility and the possibility to combine them with other toys. Because of the shape you can put anything in it. They are not very portable so the score could have been a little higher if they were easier to store.

It is made of very sturdy, BPA-free yet soft material and is safe with the non-toxic, safe colors used when coloring the blocks.

In addition, it is an award-winning toy with the ASTRA's Best Toys for Kids Award 2012, the Parents' Choice Silver Award 2012, and the Spielwarenmesse ToyAward 2013.

7. Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy (8.4)

Best sensory doll

Playskool Dress Up Doll Activity Toy

8.4

Toy score

Play value

4.1

Price/quality

4.4

Replayability

4.1

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Best for

Less good

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• From: 2 years
• Best: 2 – 3 years
• Up to: 4 years

The Playskool dress up dolls are fun to do with many activities. They also come in boys and girls and multiple ethnicities, which also gives it high social value. The material is soft and easy for toddlers to practice their fine motor skills.

With different textures they are fun to fiddle with and they can also be used in other pretend play, they are dolls after all, which gives them good replayability.

A very nice set that can provide many hours of play.

8. Play-Doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set (8.3)

Best Soft Sensory Toys

Play doh Ultimate Color Collection Clay Set

8.3

Toy score

Play value

4.5

Price/quality

4.6

Replayability

3.8

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Best for

• Lots of colors and even glitter
• Great texture for sensory experience

Less good

• Can dry out and will not separate after mixing

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• From: 3 years
• Best: 3 – 5 years
• Up to: 6 years

Play-Doh is playdough for children and it feels great. It has been popular for years because you can make so many things with it. It is very easy to use, you can put it back in the jar when you are done and it really appeals to the imagination, which makes the play value extremely high.

This set is very complete with many colors and also new glitter clay for even more sensory stimulation. You can get started with it, mix colors to see what happens and your imagination is what makes it so much fun.

The replayability of Play-Doh is a bit lower because it can dry out and when you mix it it no longer separates. However, you can play with it for quite some time if you always put it away neatly.

9. Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath Play Figure (8.3)

Best little cheap sensory gift

Glo Pals Light-Up Cubes Bath play figure

8.3

Toy score

Play value

4.2

Price/quality

4.1

Replayability

4.0

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Best for

• Great fun playing in the bath
• Made entirely from recycled plastic

Less good

• Can only be used in water

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• From: 2 years
• Best: 3 – 4 years
• Up to: 6 years

The Glo Pals are cubes with a figure that glows when they touch water. This makes it great fun to play with in the bath and really appeals to the imagination. It's also easy to use and carry, all of which adds to its play value.

It can be combined with other toys, but only in water because they only work when they touch water. They can also participate, for example, by playing at a water table or playing in the sink. That makes them a little more versatile and the replayability even greater.

It is made entirely from recycled plastic, and is truly a company that wants to make the greatest possible contribution to the environment.

10. Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube (8.3)

Best Calming Sensory Toys

Schylling NoDoh Nice Cube

8.3

Toy score

Play value

4.1

Price/quality

4.6

Replayability

3.8

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Best for

• Can be used in multiple ways
• Completely BPA and latex free for a safe toy

Less good

• You can only squish with it

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• From: 3 years
• Best: 4 – 8 years
• Up to: 12 years

Fidget toys should be something you can mess with for hours, but if the texture also feels good, you'll keep doing it. This cube feels very funny and can be used in different ways, which also makes it feel different. Press quickly or stretch slowly, you don't even remember you're doing it.

Perfect for children (or adults) who always need something to do or just want to be distracted for a while. It is easy to clean, completely BPA and latex free and safe and good for a lot of squishing fun.

11. Lamaze Octotunes (8.0)

Best musical toys for babies

Lamaze Octotunes

8.0

Toy score

Play value

4.2

Price/quality

4.1

Replayability

4.0

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Best for

• Bright colors make it fun for your baby
• Discovering sound in the tentacles is a lot of fun

Less good

• As babies they cannot yet make out any sound on their own

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• From: 1 years
• Best: 1 – 2 years
• Up to: 3 years

Octotunes are suitable from birth, because the patterns of this octopus have a great contrast and thus stimulate the eyesight of your child.

Sensory development is also stimulated, but the squeezing is not that simple yet, so it is something that adults may need to help with.

Older kids can explore the songbook, each song is color-coded to match the colors on Octotunes' arms.

12. Costway Platform Swing (7.8)

Best sensory toys for SPD

costway Platform Swing

7.8

Toy score

Play value

3.9

Price/quality

4.1

Replayability

3.7

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Best for

Less good

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• From: 3 years
• Best: 3 – 5 years
• Up to: 10 years

Great playground equipment that can accommodate several children. This not only makes it fun to swing, but also something to work together or chill on together. The replayability is somewhat lower because it is difficult to combine them. It really has to have it's own, but the versatility is there because you can play with it in multiple ways.

Such a large swing that you can lie on also provides good sensory stimulation, provides a lot of sensory input and is perfect for children with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder).

Great sensory toys for outdoors, for example in the garden.

13. Nutty Toys Pop Tubes (7.7)

Best sensory fidget toy for 5 year olds

Nutty Toys Pop Hits

7.7

Toy score

Play value

4.4

Price/quality

3.6

Replayability

3.9

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Best for

• Offer children the freedom to explore their own designs and creations
• Uneven texture and the satisfying sound of the tubes popping have a calming effect

Less good

• A bit noisy for classrooms

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• From: 2 years
• Best: 3 – 5 years
• Up to: 99 years

These colorful tubes are a great toy for preschoolers and offer lots of benefits for activity and concentration.

I was immediately impressed by the Pop Tubes from Nutty Toys. The bright colors and simple design make them attractive to children.

My kids were thrilled to play with it and soon discovered how to connect the tubes together, similar to Lego blocks.

This gave them the freedom to explore their own designs and creations, which was great for stimulating their imagination and motor skills.

What I really appreciated about these Pop Tubes is that they are not only fun, but also educational. I was able to help my kids learn letters and shapes as they played. The toys provided a fun and interactive way to engage them in learning activities.

Another notable benefit of the Pop Tubes is their calming effect. The uneven texture and satisfying sound of the tubes popping have a soothing effect.

14. Twiddlers Liquid Motion Bubbler (7.4)

Best visually stimulating toys

twiddlers Liquid Motion Bubbler

7.4

Toy score

Play value

3.9

Price/quality

3.7

Replayability

3.5

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Best for

• Little one can stare at it for ages
• Easy to grip due to the shape

Less good

• They are ultimately colored bubbles in plastic

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• From: 8 months
• Best: 1 – 2 years
• Up to: 5 years

Sometimes attraction is toward a toy that will stimulate your child's senses, the perfect combination of water and oil in a tube.

This toy is especially suitable for babies and is perfect for their age group, (toddlers may find it difficult to play with this for more than a few minutes toys keep busy).

The descending bubbles have a soothing and hypnotic effect and it will keep your child entertained for hours! What's even better is that this is not a pointless task.

These gravity-fed bubbles calm your child's hyperactivity, soothe their fears, and even help them with their visual tracking skills.

It is also a small and portable toy, leaving you with enough space in your suitcase or children's suitcase for your own needs.

What should you pay attention to when buying sensory toys?

When ranking the toys on this list, we use our “Toy score”. It's based on the following components, each with its own weight.

1. Play value (30%)
2. Price/ quality (30%)
3. Replayability (20%)
4. Safety (10%)
5. Sustainability (5%)
6. Materials (5%)

The playing value, together with the price-quality ratio, is the most important thing. When buying a toy you should make sure that it is fun to play with, but if it is too expensive no one can afford it.

The play value assesses the product on the features that make it fun to play with. These are ease of use, degree of open-endedness, imagination, social interaction, interactivity, versatility and aesthetics. When a toy is easy to use and understand, is attractive to the child and there are many opportunities to make up your own play with it with open end and imagination, it will be played longer with a higher quality of play.

The value for money is a score based on the ratio of the quality of the rated toy to the price of the item. This ratio determines how much value you get for your money, in play value and in intrinsic quality of the item such as the materials used.

Replayability rates the product on features that ensure it will be used again and again. These are ability to combine, portability, longevity, durability and versatility.

What are the types of sensory toys?

The types of sensory toys are as follows.

• Tactile toys: Designed to stimulate the sense of touch. These include squishy balls, fidget items and texture materials.
• Auditory toys: Helps develop hearing. Examples are musical toys and special headphones.
• Visual toys: Stimulates vision. Think of kaleidoscopes and luminous objects.
• Taste toys: Offer opportunities to develop taste. These are often edible or flavored chew toys.
• Olfactory toys: Helps develop the sense of smell. This can be scented toys or scented boxes.
• Proprioceptive toys: Helps children develop their body awareness. Weighted toys and compression therapy items are examples of this.
• Vestibular toys: Helps develop balance and movement processing. Trampolines and swings are typical examples.

Any type of sensory toy is beneficial for children with processing difficulties or special needs. The right type of searching can help them develop and stimulate their senses.

What are sensory toys used for?

Sensory toys are used to stimulate different facets of development. They are designed to stimulate the senses, which helps with information processing. They improve fine and gross motor skills, promote social behavior and encourage exploration. They also provide opportunities for calming and stimulating play.

Sensory toys help children regulate their emotions and improve their body awareness. They also promote learning and communication skills by encouraging interaction and collaboration. They are especially useful for children with special needs as they promote learning in a fun and engaging way.

The research by Ingersoll, B., Schreibman, L., & Tran, Q. (2003), published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, shows that children with autism show higher imitation performance when using sensory toys. This suggests that they are more motivated to imitate for non-social rewards.

How do sensory toys differ from infant, preschool to kindergarten?

Sensory toys vary by age group: infants, preschool and kindergarten. Each toy type stimulates unique senses and promotes development.

• In infants, sensory toys mainly stimulate touch, hearing and vision. Examples are rattles and crinkle books. This toy helps process multiple sensory stimuli and improves motor skills.
• For preschoolers, toys become more complex. Construction toys, such as wooden blocks, stimulate the sense of touch and promote fine motor skills. Activities such as stacking and building help with color recognition and spatial awareness.
• For kindergartners, the focus is on exploration and experimentation. Toys that encourage fidgeting and bouncing, such as sensory balls, help regulate emotions and promote social interaction.

What do toys for the sensorimotor stage need to have?

The sensorimotor stage is a period in a child's cognitive development, according to Jean Piaget's theory. This phase begins at birth and lasts until approximately two years of age.

Toys suitable for this stage must be safe and durable to withstand rough handling. Third, the toy should stimulate the senses. This can be done by offering different textures, colors and sounds. Fourth, the toy should be simple. It should be easy for the child to understand and manipulate. Finally, the toy should encourage the child to experiment and learn.

What makes toys suitable for sensory seekers?

Sensory seekers are children or individuals who seek additional sensory input to regulate their nervous system. They often have difficulty with sensory processing and look for ways to feel and process information.

Examples of suitable toys are small, handy products that promote the development of the child. Chew toys, weighted toys and toys that offer resistance to tactile reinforcement are ideal.

Are all fidget toys sensory toys?

No, not all fidget toys are sensory toys. Fidget toys are designed to relieve stress and promote concentration through repetitive movements. They provide tactile stimulation that helps individuals relieve anxiety.

Sensory toys, on the other hand, are designed to aid sensory processing by providing additional input. They stimulate the senses and help children with their development. They also provide regulation for the nervous system.

There are also toys that promote manipulation, jumping and bouncing for calming. So, while some fidget toys can also be sensory toys, they are not all the same.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.