Sensory toys are among the most popular aids for parents, kindergarten teachers and specialists. But the choice is wide and prices vary a lot, so the question often comes up: where do I start, and what will really suit my child or my group? In this article we offer a simple plan for choosing sensory toys by sense, by the child\u2019s needs and by where they will be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sensory toys are toys and aids that deliberately engage one or more senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell, movement and balance. The child does not just play \u2013 they explore textures, colours, sounds or smells and learn to recognise and name them. We wrote more about how the senses work together in our article on sensory integration in children<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sensory toy does not have to be complicated or expensive. What matters most is that it suits the child\u2019s age and interests and is safe for everyday use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start with the goal. If the child loves touching everything, choose tactile aids. If they are drawn to light and colour, choose visual aids. If you want to build attention to sounds and language, choose listening games. One well-chosen toy is more useful than several random ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some children seek strong sensations \u2013 they constantly touch, squeeze and move. Others, on the contrary, avoid certain textures or sounds. The first group enjoys active, \u201chigh-input\u201d aids; the second group needs gentle ones that can be explored little by little, at their own pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always check the age recommended by the manufacturer. The youngest need large, easy-to-grip pieces; older children enjoy games with rules, tasks and cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At home a few versatile aids are usually enough. For a kindergarten group or a specialist\u2019s room it is worth choosing sturdy, easy-to-clean aids that several children can use at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tactile games teach children to recognise surfaces: rough and smooth, soft and hard. For example, the wooden touch game<\/a> invites the child to explore and compare different wooden textures and shapes. It is a great calm activity at the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Light and colour catch almost every child\u2019s attention. The A2 LED light panel<\/a> has an evenly glowing surface on which children can arrange transparent shapes or coloured discs, trace, and observe colours and outlines \u2013 an activity that develops visual perception and fine motor skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Listening games teach children to listen carefully and tell sounds apart. The sound lotto<\/a> with sound cards and a player is a popular aid both at home and in a speech therapist\u2019s room: the child listens to a sound and finds the matching picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smell is often forgotten, although children find recognising scents very exciting. The game \u201cSmell, guess and learn fruits!\u201d<\/a> turns scents into a fun guessing game and encourages the child to name what they smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For movement and balance, floor aids work well. The \u201cTullo\u201d sensory liquid floor tiles<\/a> create moving colour effects with every step \u2013 you can lay them out as a path for children to walk barefoot or crawl along.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFour questions before you buy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Which sense do you want to develop?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Does the child seek stimulation or avoid it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. How old is the child?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Where will the aid be used?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sensory toys by sense<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Touch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hearing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Smell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Movement and balance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Calm hands-on play<\/h3>\n\n\n\n