Toddlers need to touch everything—it's how they learn about the world.
These sensory activities refine tactile discrimination, build language around textures, and support calm focus.
Your toddler learns about the world primarily through their senses. Touching, tasting, squishing, pouring, and splashing aren't just messy fun — they're building the neural pathways that support attention, emotional regulation, and academic learning.
Provide daily sensory opportunities: water tables, sand play, finger painting, play dough, and safe kitchen exploration. These experiences build the tactile processing and body awareness that help your toddler feel comfortable in their own skin.
Rich sensory play at one year builds the tactile discrimination, body awareness, and emotional regulation skills that support learning and self-control throughout childhood.
One activity at a time. Toddlers do best with a single focus—too many materials out at once leads to overwhelm, not play.
Embrace the mess. Sensory play is vital at this age, and trying to keep things tidy will just frustrate you both.
Expect parallel play, not sharing. Toddlers aren't developmentally ready to share—give each child their own set of materials.
High energy needs an outlet. Plan physical activities for morning when energy peaks, and quieter play after lunch.
Squirt whipped cream on a tray and let your toddler draw, smear, and taste — a fully edible, mess-friendly sensory art experience.
Place your baby on an inflatable water mat and watch them press, pat, and track colorful floating toys — tummy time with a sensory twist.
Hydrate water beads and let your toddler scoop, pour, and squish these squishy, bouncy orbs — a captivating tactile experience with close supervision.
Create a DIY texture board with sandpaper, bubble wrap, fur, and more — your toddler walks barefoot across each square for a full-body sensory experience.
Set jiggly, colorful gelatin on a tray and let your baby squish, poke, and mouth this completely safe sensory material.
Tape contact paper sticky-side-out on a wall and let your toddler stick and peel objects — a fantastic upright sensory and fine motor workout.