Simple sensory play ideas you can set up at home
Sensory play doesn’t need to look like a Pinterest setup, or involve buying anything special. Most of it’s already happening in your home - from the feel of bath water, to the sound of a spoon on a pan or the way light moves across a wall.
These simple sensory play ideas are grouped by stage, so you can pick what fits your little one right now.
What is sensory play?
Sensory play is any activity that engages your child’s senses - touch, sight, sound, smell, and sometimes taste. For babies and toddlers, it’s one of the main ways they learn how the world works.
It can be calm or chaotic, structured or completely unplanned, even a baby grabbing a piece of textured fabric is sensory play. As much as those expensive baby classes might tell you you need lots of props and preparation, it’s actually something that you can really easily recreate at home.
Why sensory play matters
Sensory experiences can help to support development in really practical ways, including building motor skills through grabbing, pouring, and reaching - as well as supporting early communication through shared interactions.
It’s also been shown to help with focus and emotional regulation, encourage problem-solving and curiosity, and strengthen your little one’s coordination through movement and repetition.
Sensory play ideas for younger babies (0–6 months)
At this stage, it’s all about gentle stimulation and simple contrast.
1. High-contrast cards or fabrics
Print your own high-contrast images at home, or use a black and white patterned muslin or scarf. We love the designs from Etta Loves.
2. Tummy time mirror
Place a safe mirror in front of baby during tummy time so they can watch their own movements.
3. Crinkly fabric basket
A small collection of different textures - muslins, scarves, soft cotton - laid out for gentle grabbing and touching.
4. Listening walk around the house or garden
Carry baby around and pause to notice sounds both inside and outside - running water, birds, footsteps, wind. You might even find it’s calming for you, too!
5. Gentle bath exploration
Let body temperature water run slowly over hands and feet. Keep it calm and quiet.
6. Ribbon or scarf movement
Slowly move soft fabric in front of baby’s line of sight for visual tracking.
7. Outdoor lying down time
Lay baby down on a blanket outside where there’s dappled light, leaves moving above, and natural sounds.
8. Shadow and light watching
Hold baby near a window and let them watch shifting light, tree shadows, or curtains moving gently.
Sensory play ideas for older babies (6–12 months)
This stage is all about hands-on exploring, grabbing, and repeating actions.
9. Cooked oats or pasta tray
Let baby explore different textures with their hands (closely supervised).
10. Ice cube play
A tray of ice cubes in a shallow bowl for touching and watching melt.
11. Bubble play
Fill a washing-up bowl with water and a small amount of our non-toxic washing up liquid. Perfect for scooping and splashing!
12. Kitchen instrument station
Wooden spoon, saucepan, and containers for banging and experimenting with sound.
13. Yoghurt finger painting
Spread yoghurt on a tray or highchair surface for safe messy exploration. Wipe with our non-toxic all purpose spray for a safe clean up!
14. Cardboard box discovery
Make tunnels, peekaboo holes, and things to drop in and out.
15. Fabric pull basket
Fill a basket with scarves or fabric scraps for pulling, tugging, and hiding.
16. Garden texture play
Fill a bowl with grass, leaves, and soil, and let them explore the textures with their hands and feet.
17. Homemade sensory bottle
A sealed bottle with water, glitter, or small objects for shaking and watching.
Sensory play ideas for toddlers (1–3 years)
Toddlers want a little more movement, repetition, and control over what’s happening.
18. Mud or soil kitchen
Take some pots, spoons, and natural materials outside, for mixing and pouring.
19. Toy washing station
Buckets of water and sponges for washing plastic animals or toys. Use a drop of our baby bubble bath for the full effect!
20. Scooping and pouring setup
Use rice, pasta, or water in a bowl, with cups and containers.
21. Nature soup
Collect leaves, petals, sticks from outside, and mix them in bowls or pans of water.
22. Frozen toy rescue
Freeze small toys in ice and let toddlers work them free.
23. Chalk and water painting outside
Drawing on paving stones, or watch it change when they paint water on.
24. Homemade playdough
Squishing, rolling, and cutting simple dough together is the perfect low-effort sensory activity.
25. Colour hunt walk
Find objects outdoors that match chosen colours.
Keeping sensory play simple
There’s no need to turn sensory play into a proper set up. Most of these ideas work best when they’re quick and flexible, and using what you’ve already got lying around at home.
A few things worth remembering:
- Short bursts of play are enough
- Everyday objects often work better than expensive, specialist toys
- Mess is optional, not essential!
- Babies don’t need instructions, just let them explore
- Toddlers will usually change the activity halfway through anyway - so don't put the pressure on for it to be perfect!
Also, don’t forget to keep everything age-appropriate and supervise closely - especially with small objects, water, and edible materials. If in doubt, simplify it.
Ready for the clean up?
Our eco-cleaning products are all plant-based, safe for little hands, and pack a punch when it comes to mopping up messes. Discover everything from eco washing up liquid and non-toxic floor cleaner, to hypoallergenic laundry liquid and fabric conditioner.
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