10 Sensory Activities for Babies (That Cost $0 to Make)

You don’t need to spend a fortune on high-end, aesthetic wooden toys to boost your baby’s brain development. In fact, your kitchen cabinets and recycling bin contain some of the best sensory toys on the planet.

Sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, supports language development, and hones fine motor skills. Here are 10 quick, free activities to try with your baby today.

For Newborns (0-3 Months)

• 1. The High-Contrast Mirror: Stand a cheap plastic mirror up during tummy time. Newborns can only focus on things 8-12 inches away and love looking at high-contrast shapes—and their own faces!
• 2. Flashlight Tracking: In a dimly lit room, slowly shine a flashlight on the wall or ceiling and move it from side to side. This builds their visual tracking skills.

For Older Infants (4-6 Months)

• 3. The Crinkle Paper Kick: Tape a piece of crinkly wrapping paper or tissue paper to the wall or the foot of their play mat. Put your baby on their back with bare feet touching the paper. Every time they kick, they get instant auditory and tactile feedback.
• 4. Water Baking Sheet: Pour a thin layer of water onto a baking sheet during tummy time. Toss a few floating plastic toys in it. Your baby will love splashing the water with their open palms.
• 5. The Whisk Pom-Pom Pull: Stuff colorful fabric scraps or large craft pom-poms inside a metal kitchen whisk. Sit back and watch your baby figure out how to pull them out.

For Sitting Babies (7-12 Months)

• 6. The Tape Peel: Tape dynamic pieces of painter’s tape or painter’s tape shapes directly to the floor or a high chair tray. Your baby will practice their pincer grasp trying to peel the tape up.
• 7. Edible “Sand”: Pulse plain oatmeal or cheerios in a blender until it reaches a sandy consistency. Pour it into a plastic bin with some spoons. It looks and feels like sand, but it’s 100% safe if it goes straight into their mouth.
• 8. The Ice Cube Chase: Place a couple of ice cubes on a hard floor or tray. Babies are fascinated by the temperature difference and will love trying to grab the slippery, melting cubes.
• 9. Plastic Bottle Shakers: Empty a small plastic water bottle, fill it with dry rice, beans, or pasta, and superglue the lid shut. Instant musical instrument!
• 10. Kitchen Concert: Give them a wooden spoon and an upside-down plastic mixing bowl or metal pot. It’s loud, yes, but it teaches cause-and-effect brilliantly.