Sensory Activities for 12 Months

Seal paint inside a zip bag and tape it down — your baby presses, squishes, and watches colors blend without any mess on their hands.

Fill small jars with cinnamon, vanilla, mint, and more — your toddler sniffs each one, building their sense of smell and learning to describe scents.

Spray shaving cream on a tray and let your toddler smear, swirl, and draw with their fingers — a fluffy, fragrant messy play adventure.

Create a glittery sensory bottle your baby can shake, roll, and watch — a mesmerizing visual and tactile experience for curious little hands.

Set up cups, funnels, and a basin of water so your toddler can practice scooping and pouring — a classic Montessori-inspired sensory activity.

Thread ribbons through a colander and let your baby pull, tug, and discover — a simple fine motor and sensory activity they'll love.

Fill sealed bottles with rice, bells, and beads to create shake-and-listen sensory toys your baby can grab and explore safely.

Bury small toys in kinetic sand and let your toddler dig them out — a tactile treasure hunt that builds fine motor skills and curiosity.

Fill an ice cube tray with colorful water and let your baby poke, splash, and discover water in small compartments — perfect for little fingers.

Pop frozen fruit into a mesh feeder for a cold, sweet sensory experience that soothes sore gums and introduces new flavors.

Mix baby cereal and coconut oil to make a taste-safe, moldable dough your toddler can squish, squeeze, and crumble safely.

Fill a bin with dried beans and add cups, scoops, and funnels — your toddler will pour, transfer, and dig for hidden objects in this classic sensory bin.

Dump a tray of cooled, cooked spaghetti in front of your toddler and let them pull, squish, and drape noodles everywhere. Gloriously messy.

Spread finger paint in a tray and let babies explore colors and textures with their hands.

Set toys inside jello and let toddlers dig them out for squishy sensory fun.

Dye dried pasta in bright colors and fill a bin for scooping, sorting, and pouring.

Whip soap and water into foam for a bubbly, squishy sensory experience.

Squish paint around inside a sealed bag for mess-free sensory and color mixing fun.

Fill bowls with warm and cold water and let children feel the temperature difference.

Dye rice rainbow colors for an irresistible sensory bin. Easy to make, lasts for months, and kids love it.

Playdough strengthens little hands while sparking creativity. Easy, mess-friendly, and endlessly entertaining.

Babies love the sound and feel of crinkle paper. A simple sensory activity that promotes grip and listening.

Warm water play engages baby's senses and builds early cause-and-effect understanding. Easy setup.

High-contrast cards support visual development in newborns. Simple, science-backed, and free to print.

Place a baby-safe mirror in front of your baby during tummy time to encourage lifting and visual engagement.

Learn simple baby massage strokes that promote bonding, relaxation, and body awareness.