Sensory play is on-trend and it’s something that childcare workers and parents alike are talking about. As the name suggests, sensory play is designed to stimulate a little one’s senses and using various sensory toys and props, you can create different sensory experiences that engage their sense of touch, sight, sound, smell and taste.

Although everyone is talking about sensory play, not everything being said is correct and there are lots of misconceptions surrounding this type of play. If you’ve never tried sensory play with your baby or toddler before and you’re wondering whether what you’ve heard about sensory play is true, below we have looked into some of the most common misconceptions we hear when people are talking about this type of play.

You can’t introduce sensory play until x age

Lots of people think that you can’t use sensory toys and props with your little one until they get to a certain age. Some will say they need to be a few months old, others will say they need to be at least a year, yet you can actually start sensory play when your baby is still a newborn. Even if your baby doesn’t really understand what’s going on around them, sensory stimulation is an important part of early years’ development and it will help them to learn.

It’s crucial to note that some sensory toys will only be suitable for solo play after a certain age and direct adult supervision will be required at all times whilst your baby is still young.

Sensory toys are expensive

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about sensory play and there is such a huge range of props and toys on the market nowadays, many of which are cheaper than traditional toys. From brightly coloured sensory balls to monochrome sensory books, you don’t need to spend much to create sensory experiences for your little one.

If you’d like to purchase a range of sensory toys and props, a sensory box is undeniably a brilliant investment. These boxes are full of sensory items and they’re a cost-effective way to purchase a selection of props and toys that can be used during playtime.

Babies don’t enjoy sensory play

As soon as you try sensory play with your little one, you will realise that this isn’t true. Whilst some babies will take more encouragement than others to interact with sensory toys, all babies are curious and inquisitive, they will want to explore the items you put in front of them and figure out what they do. Even basic sensory props like flashcards and sensory scarves will be intriguing to your baby and keep them entertained for hours.

Sensory play is messy

Although sensory play can be messy and there are lots of ways you can stimulate the sense of touch with things like water, paint, bubbles, playdough and slime, you don’t necessarily need to make a mess. Several sensory toys are designed to stimulate other senses and they aren’t messy to play with, so you can use them wherever and whenever.

Lots of parents use sensory toys when they’re out and about, and they can help to keep your little one entertained when they’re in the car, for example. Ultimately, you can create sensory experiences in multiple ways and this type of play can still be clean and tidy.

You need lots of sensory toys for sensory play

It isn’t uncommon for people to use a selection of sensory toys and props during playtime, but you don’t need to have a range of sensory items to enjoy sensory play. The vast majority of sensory toys are designed to be used in a variety of ways and they are open-ended toys, providing endless possibilities for fun. You can even combine sensory toys with everyday items around the house to create sensory experiences, so you don’t need to purchase lots of toys.

Finding the best sensory toys for babies and toddlers

It’s fair to say that there are so many benefits to sensory play and if it’s not something you’ve tried before with your little one, it’s definitely worth giving it a go. If you’re searching for somewhere to purchase the best sensory toys for babies and toddlers, explore the rest of the My Little Goody Box website. We supply a huge variety of high-quality sensory toys and props, and we also have a selection of sensory boxes available. We pride ourselves on providing parents with somewhere to purchase sensory products and also receive play ideas on how to use them, and there is something for every little one on our website.