Sensory Play Activities for Babies Using Items Around Your House
Hello mamas, and welcome back! It's no surprise that our active toddlers keep us busy on our feet, as we engage with and entertain the… but what about our younger babies? How can we also add a little bit more entertainment and engagement throughout their day!? As a mama of two (a 2.5 year old and 9 month old), I wanted to do a blog post that specifically focused around my 9 month old daughter.
I decided to make a bunch of sensory play activities to stimulate her senses with objects found around my house because...why leave home, or spend money if you don't have to, right?! If you’re looking for ways to occupy and engage your little one, then I hope this post inspires you! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: During these activities, watch your sweet babe at all times to prevent choking hazards. These activities are not, "Keep baby busy so you can go in another room and relax kind-of-activities,” but they will keep their senses stimulated, and keep them busy (which is what I believe we are all secretly hoping for in times when we need a breather)! Okay, now let’s get to the fun part!
1. Letters in water
Need:
Foam letters (or little toys of choice)
Water
Casserole dish
6 Big rubber bands
Starting with a baby favorite! This is such a clever way to encourage your baby to navigate past the rubber bands, and pull those foam letters out of the water! The rubber bands will keep your baby from basically jumping in the dish…for the most part! My daughter loved to touch the water, flick the rubber bands to make sounds, and finally grab/chew on those foam letters! She was living her best life with this activity, and I loved every second of watching her!
2. Muffin tin grab
Need:
Muffin tin
Mix and match dinosaurs (blocks, or another toy of choice)
Painters tape
I love how muffin tins are so versatile, whether used for baking, sorting, sensory play, and more! This was such a fun problem solving game for my daughter who pondered how to get the dinosaurs out of the muffin tin, and then how to get the painter’s tape off of her hands, haha!? You can use blocks, or really whatever fits in your muffin tin, but I last minute thought to use these mix and match dinosaurs from Lakeshore that she could also practice putting together afterwards for some extra play!
3. Taping straws/water/paint to the floor
Need:
3 Ziplock bags
Straws
Water
2 Rubber ducks
Paint
Duct tape
I was most excited for this because it looks fun enough for an adult to try in my opinion…and I did, haha! Not only did my 9 month old LOVE this, but my toddler did too! (No mess, but still a lot of activity, and imagination!) My daughter loved to slam the ducks on the bag filled with water, rub her hands and feet all over the straws, and touch the mess-free paint with her whole body.
Ps. Don’t be too cheap with the paint! The more you have, the more fun it spreads, and the texture can be easier felt too! Also, don’t add too much water initially to keep the bag from popping, and be sure to release air from all the bags prior to taping!
4. Pulling socks out of a wipe container
Need:
Wipe container
Socks, bandanas, fabric handkerchief, or toys
My daughter already pulls massive amounts of wipes out of our wipe container so I knew she'd really appreciate this activity, haha! She really enjoyed the crinkle of the empty bag of wipes filled with her brother’s socks! I used our hard case wipe holder as a second example option for you all, and added some of her toys which she enjoyed pulling out too!
5. Magnets on a baking sheet
Need:
Refrigerator magnets
Baking pan
My daughter is notorious for spending a ton of time playing with magnets on our fridge, but I was curious how she'd like it more within hands reach on the baking sheet! She loved it, and had an easier time putting the magnets on the sheet as opposed to on the fridge! (I also suggest using magnets with sturdy and full magnetic backs instead of having tiny magnets that could potentially get loose, fall out, or be swallowed!)
6. Pasta sensory bin
Need:
Casserole dish
2 boxes of pasta
Spoons, cups, ladles, the more the merrier, etc.
I didn't realize my daughter was capable of having so much fun! She loved to grab the pasta, and scoop with bowls and cups! She even put her feet in, and fully climbed in at one point! As I hinted, all of these activities can be slightly modified for toddlers as well. I gave my son the ladle and told him to scoop the pasta and empty it into a cup. I later added some small toy soldiers to the mix for them to find throughout. They both loved it!
7. Cards in a coffee can
Need:
Cards
Coffee can
Scissors
We are moms. We ALL have coffee in our house haha! Transfer that coffee to a ziplock bag, cut a slot through the top of the can, grab the playing cards, and model it for your child! My daughter was obsessed with shaking the coffee can and cards in general! This was a good activitiy to model for her that she will eventually grow into. I held the card halfway in the slot, and let her slap the cards in. You could also cut a wider slot to help make it easier for your baby. Another toddler pleaser also!
8. Tape on wall-soldier rescue
Need:
Painters tape
Soldiers
Wall
HUGE perk of this activity: Simply tape anything to the wall, and let your baby rip it off! This is a fun way to get your baby practicing standing, balancing, reaching, grasping, and pulling things off of your wall! I also recommend setting it up while your child is sleeping so that when they wake you can have a few minutes extra to yourself while they play!
9. Rice balloons
Need:
Rice
Balloons
I had some difficulty getting the rice into the balloons with this activity. Initially, I thought the goal was to jam pack every balloon with rice. I found that by filling some balloons half with rice and half with air, my baby was not only given the option to grasp and squeeze the balloon, but to shake it, and hear the sound of the rice as well. My daughter loved these, and instantly started squeezing and shaking them. I like that you can technically fill balloons with all sorts of things (popcorn kernels, marbles, etc.) to give different textures and feels! This was also a great opportunity to teach her not to put things in her mouth! :)
10. Sock whisker-er
Need
Whisker
Baby socks
Do you know all those mix matched and loner socks you find around your house? …NOW is their time to SHINE with this easy activity! Grab your whisker, and those lone socks, weave them in and out, and let your baby pull them out! You may need to pull a sock out of the whisk to get baby started!
What fun memories my 9 month old and I have had playing and exploring with these different sensory activities! Don't worry, my toddler totally got in on all the fun, but it was nice to cater activities specifically and intentionally around her! I loved how these made for more intentional play, rather than a bunch of toys dragged around my house! I hope you were able to take away an idea, or two that doesn't require you having to leave your home in order to participate!
Please tell me in the comments below which sensory activity are you most excited to try, and tag me on Instagram (@coolmomandcollected) if you become inspired to make one yourself! Very, very thankful for you friends, always! Thanks for sharing mom life with me and inspiring me! See you back on Monday! Have a "sense-ational" day!
Cool, Mom, and Collectedly Yours,
