19 Sensory Activities That Toddlers and Babies Love

by Gabby CullenFebruary 20, 2024

Sensory play is critical for toddlers’ and babies’ developing brains, and you’ll enjoy watching as your child discovers new textures and learns about cause and effect, all while having tons of fun. So the next time you’ve got some sensory play on your mind, try these easy DIY ideas you can put together in a jiffy. Many use household items you already have on hand, like baby-safe paint, to stimulate babies’ senses and satisfy their need for exploration. Others may require you to grab a few things the next time you’re out at the store so can create these sensory activities for toddlers and babies when the time comes. Either way, planning sensory play at your house has never been easier.

Sensory Activities for Toddlers

1. The Sweet Sound of Velcro

The family at Mama.Papa.Bubba discovered their little one’s fascination with VELCRO and share lots of creative ways to use it to engage your curious kid. VELCRO can be used on its own, so kids can learn about how it sticks together and comes apart, or with different materials (think shoelaces, stuffed animals, socks) so they can figure out what sticks and what doesn’t. This is a no-mess activity, making it a great choice for days when you just can’t clean up another spill.

backyard waterpark ideas — Inner Child Fun

2. Sponge Bombs

On warm days, these sponge bombs are fun for kids of all ages. Your littlest explorer will be fascinated by the shape, color and texture of the sponges, and how they absorb and release water, while older kids can play catch, surprise friends with an unexpected shower, or score baskets. These can also be enjoyed in the bath or in your kitchen (perhaps with cookie sheets or towels to contain the water). Find out how to make them at Inner Child Fun.

3. Bubbles & Blocks

And speaking of bubbles... Mama.Papa.Bubba put them together with DUPLO bricks for an easy way to keep kids entertained for a long time. Lay down a towel or plastic tablecloth, and fill a plastic container with blocks, soapy water (use baby wash or dish soap), and a dish brush or sponges. Then watch as your child explores the bricks, splashes the water, plays with the bubbles, and picks up the scrubber to get those bricks clean.

4. Cool Painting Trick

On a warm day, try out this idea from Domestic Mommyhood: painting with colored ice cubes. Using ice trays from your freezer, liquid watercolor, and tap water, make ice cubes and then head outside with some big sheets of white paper and watch kids use them like crayons to make their own masterpieces. Holding onto slippery ice cubes is a great way for little fingers to practice their grip strength, and we love that any mess from this activity is left outside.

5. Wonderful Water Beads

Pop by any preschool classroom and you’re likely to find kids and parents equally enamored with water beads. Something about their squishy texture just screams “play with me!” However, because they aren’t edible, sharing them with young children means getting creative. Meri Cherry has the great idea to fill resealable bags with these beads, seal ‘em up with duct tape, and let your little one squish, mush and roll to their heart’s content (under your supervision, of course).

6. A Rainbow of Exploration

Fill a container of any size and shape with almost any assortment of objects and voila! Instant entertainment for your little one. Little Bins for Little Hands tells you all you need to know to make one (or several bins), using items already in your home. Raid the pantry for beans, rice or cereal; head to the kitchen for measuring cups, spoons and whisks; duck into the yard for flowers, grass, pinecones and rocks; or hit up your closet for bracelets, shoelaces, old keys and buttons.

7. Spectacular Spaghetti

What’s colorful, slimy and completely fascinating? Cooked spaghetti. Spice it up with a bit of color, throw in some alphabet shapes, and you have an afternoon of sensory play for wandering toes, exploring mouths and bright eyes. It's another great idea from Anna at The Imagination Tree.

8. Make It Rain

Rain sticks take some time and work to create, but this is a musical instrument that will keep kids engaged for a long time. The Imagination Tree shares the instructions, which involve putting nails into a cardboard tube and filling it with small items (like rice, lentils, and barley) to make interesting sounds. Use one item per tube so each will make a different sound, just perfect for an impromptu jam session.

9. Welcome to the Coffee Shop

This coffee shop activity from Happy Hooligans combines two of our favorite things: imaginative play and sensory exploration. With just a few ingredients, including sand, water, dish soap and coffee cups, your toddler can set up a play coffee shop and explore mixing ingredients in different proportions and serving your family, all while learning about cause and effect, textures, and the basics of running their own restaurant.

10. Cotton Ball Bonanza

Want to take a quick shower? Let your child entertain themselves with a container of water and some cotton balls. As with most sensory play, simpler is often better when it comes to engaging little minds. Kids can explore how cotton balls absorb water, how the water comes out when you squeeze them, and how dry cotton balls stick together and come apart. This easy, inexpensive idea comes from Fun at Home with Kids.

11. Super Seeds

Also from our friends at Fun at Home with Kids comes this edible, safe-for-little-mouths activity uses basil seeds instead of the more common water beads. These seeds absorb water, resulting in a squishy, jelly-like consistency, and can be dyed any color you like. From there, your little one can scoop, pour, fill, empty, press, swirl, and more, all without you worrying about a choking hazard.

Sensory Play for Babies

12. Foamy Fun

Bubbles! Grab your hand mixer, dish soap, water, and food coloring to make this foamy soap that will entrance your child. Spoon it into a tray or low plastic bowl and add plastic animals or bath toys for even more fun. If you can't play outside, lay down a large towel underneath or put your tray in the bathtub for minimal mess. This good, clean fun doubles as an easy way to clean some kid toys. Get the instructions for this sensory play idea at Little Bins for Little Hands.

13. Jiggling Jello

Hands On As We Grow has an anthropological spin on the snack-time favorite by suggesting you insert small toys (or beans, rice, or beads) into the Jell-o, let it set, and then let your little one study how objects are suspended inside, and dig into it to see what they can extract. Your child will probably smell the fruity Jell-o, but if they take a nibble, watch closely for any choking hazards. It can get messy, so you might want to lay down a towel or tray or take this project outside or into the tub to minimize clean-up.

14. Toddler Tunnel

The folks at Toddler Approved are onto something with this simple yet brilliant idea to attach ribbons of varying lengths, widths and textures to an old box and letting your little one crawl in and out, feel the ribbons passing over their body, drag the box around, and play peek-a-boo with it. This creation can be left out and re-used or re-purposed, given it extra longevity and entertainment value.

15. Rice, Rice, Baby

One of our favorite bloggers, Fun at Home with Kids, came up with a fun and super-easy idea for rice play. Why rice? It makes a neat swishy sound and is safer than sand for babies who put everything (and we mean everything!) in their mouths. Just add a tray and some wooden toys and your tot will be occupied for a good chunk of time.

16. Pinterest for Babies

Make a cool "pin" board in a flash. Just grab the hot glue and some kid-friendly scraps you may have lying around the house for an eclectic collection of textures and colors. Check out Laughing Kids Learn for the DIY guide.

17. Star Light, Star Bright

Fill a jar with twinkle lights for your child's own personal light show! Watch them roll it, bang on it, even gnaw on the jar. Just make sure that the top is on tightly. Dayna and the gang at Lemon Lime Adventures show you how it’s done.

18. Splish, Splash!

All children love water play. To engage younger kids, you just need to dribble a little water on a cooking sheet, add a couple of balls, and watch baby explore the wet space. Get more on this from the mama at Dirt and Boogers.

19. Rolling in the Dough

Soft and shimmery, light and flaky, this baby-safe cloud dough is made with just two ingredients (whole-grain rice cereal and coconut oil) and is safe for wee ones to get in their hands, hair and even mouths. Head to the Lemon Lime Adventures blog for supermom Dayna's recipe for cloud dough.

Make sure to capture all the messy fun—and share it with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

7 Outdoor Art Projects That Are Easy to Clean Up

by Gabby CullenJanuary 23, 2024

One of them even involves a salad spinner!

When you want to get creative with your kids but don’t want the mess to take over, outside art is key. The messy stuff can stay outside (like all that baby-safe paint), and your kids (probably) won’t mind when you use the hose to spray them down when they’re done. From painting with water to using salad spinners to contain the mess, check out these outdoor art ideas that are big on creativity, but easy on cleanup.

Paint with Water

adorable kids doing outdoor art — Jackie Currie via Happy Hooligans

Quite possibly the cleanest, easiest idea of the bunch, we love the simple brilliance of water painting. This is an especially great outdoor art project for toddlers because there’s no paint to be found! Happy Hooligans has more tips and tricks.

Use a Salad Spinner

The best way to prevent art from getting messy is to keep it contained. That's why we think this spin-art idea from Meri Cherry is pure genius. Your kids will get swirly designs, and all you’ll have to do is drop the spinner in the sink when everyone is done. See what you’ll need over at Meri Cherry.

Pull out the Squirt Guns

use a squirt gun for outdoor art — Melissa Lenning via Fireflies and Mud Pies

If you don’t want the family art easel to be covered in paint, you can easily recreate this outdoor art idea by attaching a few sheets of paper to a tree! We love the idea of containing the colors in a squirt gun, too. Get more details about this brilliant idea over at Fireflies and Mudpies.

Make Foam Paint for the Sidewalk

use foam paint for outdoor art — Stephanie Pass via the Tip Toe Fairy

You’ll be able to ditch the dusty residue of sidewalk chalk with this easy foam paint recipe. Plus, keeping the paint contained in the condiment bottles helps to keep little hands free of stains.

Skip the Paint Brushes

These incredible rainbow pour pots are pretty easy when it comes to cleanup, especially since there aren’t any brushes involved. Just be sure to totally cover the space before handing over the squeeze bottles. Make your way to Messy Little Monster for the tutorial.

Colored Salt

Colored salt projects are gorgeous, and they help to hone fine motor skills, too! After you've taken plenty of pictures, all you’ll need is a broom and dustpan to sweep it away. Find out how to color the salt—and how to get it to pour just right—over at Buggy and Buddy.

Paint Rocks

Kids only need a little bit of paint for this outdoor art project, so you don't have to worry (as much) about spills. We love the story behind the idea of painting rocks, too!

33 Tips for New Moms from Moms Who’ve Been There

by Melissa HeckscherJanuary 8, 2024

Ahh, new motherhood. You go from dreaming of the day your baby will arrive to holding that tiny, wriggling bundle in your arms and thinking, “What the heck do I do now?” Hang tight! We’re here to help. We asked experienced moms to tell us one thing they wish they’d known when they first became parents, and they really delivered—from wisdom on sleep to life-changing self-care tips, and getting perspective on those intense early days. But the one thing they all agreed on is the most important of all: that you’re doing an amazing job.

Adjusting to Mom Life

“In the beginning, I wish I knew how to roll with it, not get frustrated, and that I would need lots of patience…. I was used to being in control and having some order to my life. My kids came into the picture and all of that was thrown out the window! Now they’ve broken me in and I roll with everything, but I remember that part being really hard for me.” — Kathy

“If I had a dime for every time I did something that I said I would never do when I was a know-it-all childless woman, I’d be rich.” — Jessie

“Do NOT let all the do’s & don’ts of parenting discourage you. As long as you keep your baby safe, healthy, and nurtured… you are doing a beautiful job. DON’T compare yourself to other moms! It’s not healthy!” — Ruthie

“I wish I had spent my time reading about postpartum rather than pregnancy books. During pregnancy, you have a doctor guiding you. But postpartum, you pretty much are on your own, and getting a counselor does not mean you are a bad parent.” — Reyna

“The most profound thing I heard and will never forget… Your baby was attached to you for 9 months. For the first 6 months of their life, they don’t actually realize they are still not a part of you! Love on that baby like they are still attached to you.” — Tara

“You will be a crazy emotional wreck (and a total a-hole at times) for the first ~6 months, but that’s okay because you just created another human being in your body.” — Sanaz

Getting Through Those Tough Moments

“I wish I had known that sometimes babies cry for no reason. They are not broken, and you didn’t do anything wrong. It will eventually get better; just breathe and try to comfort your new human!” — Melissa

“Take each stage as a stage. If things are really hard, just breathe. Your baby will hit a new milestone in a few weeks and things will change. The first year is like a book with all these mini-chapters, and you’ll be on to the next one before you realize it.” — Erin

“He isn’t GIVING you a hard time; he’s HAVING a hard time. (The wisest words I ever received from my mother-in-law.) It has helped me every single day of motherhood to keep their needs and moods in perspective.” — Elizabeth

“There are no mistakes, you learn as you go, and trust that you and your baby will figure it out and grow together. I thought I was so prepared with the books, asking mommy friends and relatives, and at the end of it, I just threw that all out and took those deep breaths and went with it.” — Sheilah

Breastfeeding: So Much Harder Than It Seems

“It’s okay to breastfeed and be comfortable enough to do so in public. Took until my third child to be able to do so and have no shame or embarrassment.” — Brittany

“Breastfeeding hurts in the beginning, and that’s normal. Imagine washing your calloused hands 30 minutes straight every 2 hours—they’d crack and bleed too! Your nipples are nowhere near as calloused as your hands, so be patient with yourself and baby because it’s a learning process.” — Jeni

“Don’t be discouraged or beat yourself up if your milk supply doesn’t come in like you want or expected. Or if your baby simply isn’t interested. Just keep trying and don’t give up… if that’s what you choose. And if it’s just not working for you and/or baby, then allow yourself to bottle-feed without the guilt!” — Jamie

Sleep: That Thing You Used to Do Whenever You Wanted

“Not all babies are wired to sleep through the night. I don’t sleep through the night, and neither does my kid. Professionals actually consider sleeping through the night to be 5 hours, not 8 or 12.” — Erin

“You will hear, ‘Sleep when the baby does,’ but for some of us, that is impossible. Ask for help and have a trusted hero [to] give you a few hours of sleep!” — Lauren

“You never know what you’re going to get. Try and rest as much as possible but don’t stress if you can’t. There is always the chance you get a sleep-through-the-night-early baby.” — Sarah

Getting Used to That Postpartum Body

“Your body will change. Some of those changes are permanent, some are fleeting, some of them hurt, some will take you months to notice. Embracing the changes—good and bad—is the best way to get through them. (I named my hemorrhoids…it felt better than crying every day… just saying.) And at the end of it all, you will be stronger than you ever knew possible. — Paige

“The hair loss! Not once during or after my pregnancy did anyone talk about the possible postpartum hair loss. I thought I was losing all of my hair.” — Madison

“I wish I had known that I would pee a little every time I sneezed for the rest of my life.” — Katie

The Importance of Self-Care

“It is okay to let baby cry for a couple minutes. It’s okay to shower and leave them in the crib even if they are crying (if they are crying, they are ALIVE!). And it’s okay to go out and leave baby home with dad. (All learned the hard way.)” — Bella

“Postpartum anxiety is real! Get help and don’t be ashamed. Sometimes, you can’t help how you think and feel. You’re not alone.” — Marisol

“Don’t underestimate the power of support. If you don’t have that built-in (family, friends), hire someone whose main focus is to support you.” — Jacquie

“Remember: Under 2 years, playdates aren’t for them, they’re for you.” — Liz

“YOUR health is still most important. Take care of your needs too.” — Morgan

“Have a good friend who you can call and cry about your actual life, but who you can call too and talk about how amazing your baby’s development is, and how proud you are.” — Tania

“Learn to program your coffeemaker. Such a great self-care thing to do at the end of the day to have something nice in the morning!” — Rachel

a group of first time moms pushing strollers in the park in a city with coats on — iStock

Leave The House During Those Early Days (Yes, Really!)

“Go out to dinners with your significant other/spouse and baby while they’re not mobile and sleep a lot. It feels daunting to go out in public with a newborn, but that’s when they’re the easiest! And you and your partner can keep the connection going!” — Haruko

“They’re easier when they don’t move. Like, a ton easier. You won’t realize how easy they were until they’re 2 and 3 and you’re pregnant again realizing you feel going to Disneyland seems so doable with a baby that doesn’t move. Life with a newborn seems so simple in retrospect.” — Jeni

What to Buy & What Not to Buy

“Get a simple high chair with no little nooks and crannies — like the IKEA high chair. It is so hard to clean the fancy five-position chairs.” — Sasha

“Don’t buy pajamas with buttons. They are a nightmare! Zippers will make life easier, especially for those diaper changes in the middle of the night.” — Carolyn

“Put Tucks or witch hazel pads in the fridge or freezer. All of your angry parts will thank you.” — Lesley

How Fast It Goes…

“Now that mine is 25 and my grandbaby is 4, the one thing I miss most is the sweet innocence when they are so small. That you are their entire world. Enjoy the cuddles, the softness of their voices, even their tears. It goes so quickly, and before you know it, they’re independent and more interested in everything BUT you.” — Lisa

“I wish I knew that it would be over in the blink of an eye. The first three years are so intense and hard on your marriage and on you mentally…. It feels boring and like you chose the wrong thing, but you aren’t supposed to admit that. So you smile and talk about how it is the best thing that ever happened to you. And it is. But some days you want to choose something else. And then it’s over. Then they eat their food and sleep through the night. They go to the potty and to school. Then those precious baby snuggles turn into a mommy who needs one more snuggle but the baby is too busy. The kids want to go on playdates and sleepovers. They want to spend Saturdays having sleepovers with friends and you are left shuttling them around and missing the days when you could coo at your sweet little baby. Don’t fast-forward. Don’t skip the moments. Don’t tune out and wonder where you’re meant to be or if there is something bigger out there for you. There’s not. This is it and it’s really, really short.” — Trish

The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Water Play for Babies

by Lauren HillJanuary 5, 2024

Keep baby cool and entertained this summer with sweet outdoor water play ideas they’ll love

When it comes to water play with babies, it’s easy to fall back on tub time. What’s not to love about bubble parties, paint parties, and letting your little one play with their favorite bath toys in a totally contained environment? It’s an easy way to keep kids cool (and clean) on a hot summer day. But it’s time to think outside the tub and leave the house for some creative outdoor water play with your little fish. Whether your child is scooting, crawling, cruising, or still working on tummy time, there are activities in this guide for them to enjoy. Just remember, splashing (and parental supervision) are required.

Water Painting

Kids painting with no mess? Yes, please! Fill a tray with water, grab some brushes and sponges, and put your budding artist to work painting deck boards, rocks, driveway, or walls. Allison at No Time for Flash Cards suggests introducing different painting tools when attention starts to drift. Head over to her blog for more playtime tips.

DIY Car Wash

Upgrade from sprinklers by taking your little one through their very own car wash. Perfect for early walkers, they’ll love pushing their favorite “vehicle” through the water. Plus, you’re guaranteed some adorable photo ops. Visit Design Mom for a list of materials and assembly instructions.

Tummy Time with Water

A little water transforms tummy time into a full-body sensory experience. Expect lots of giggles as your little one moves the water around and discovers the cause and effect of splashing. Check out how the resourceful mom over at Messy Motherhood set up this splash-tastic activity with items from around the house.

Giant Frog Pond

This giant frog pond provided hours of excitement for the tiny tadpoles over at Fun at Home with Kids. Hop over to the blog for instructions and sources for creating your own pond world.

Five Little Ducks Sensory Tub

Attention, mama ducks! By adding an aquatic element to the classic children’s story, even the littlest ducklings will love taking the rubber ducks in and out of the bucket or tub as you sing the song. It’s a great way to work on numbers, counting, and music. Set the scene with instructions from The Imagination Tree.

Kiddie Pool Play

Your little one will have a ball splashing around in a kiddie pool filled with vibrantly colored plastic balls. Allison at Learn Play Imagine set up the pool for her 13-month-old twins, who loved—you guessed it—tossing the balls out onto the grass.

Baby Waterbed

A mini version of the popular water blob, these colorful “waterbeds” are perfectly sized for baby play. Great alone or when filled with bouncy balls and other objects, your little one will love pushing the water around inside. Visit Meri Cherry to learn how to make your own.

Water Scooping

Just water, a bucket, and colorful scooping tools can keep baby busy for a good long while. Using measuring cups, they'll practice how to pour, empty, and fill and will be captivated from start to finish. Get tips for play from Tinker Lab.

Tray Play

Does your baby like water? Do you have a high chair or a baby plate with a suctioned bottom? Then you have everything it takes to try this. Babies will splash, trickle, pour, and go wild with just a little bit of water. Add a blast of color using food coloring to keep things interesting. Find out more from The Imagination Tree.

Gelatin Bath

When you put blue Jell-O in the bathtub (try four boxes' worth, spread evenly on the bathtub floor), you get an awesome ocean adventure. Add plastic fish, boats, and duckies to keep with the theme. Learn more from the master of creative play at Fantastic Fun and Learning.

Bowls of Bubbles

Sometimes the best toys are right in your kitchen cabinet. Anna at The Imagination Tree grabbed some measuring cups, plastic bowls, and dish soap and headed outside with her child for some bubbly fun. Her little one loved transferring the sudsy water from one container to another.

Cubes on a String

Are you familiar with soap on a rope? Make an ice cube version of it by placing a piece of yarn throughout your ice cube tray and freezing colored cubes of water. The coolest part? The ice cubes, being attached, won’t slip away from your baby. Get the details from Dukes & Duchesses.

Rainbow Bath

Babies love color and bubbles so why not combine the two? The blogger mama at Growing A Jeweled Rose throws food coloring and bubble bath in the sink for some rainbow water play.

Small Bowl, Big Fun

A plastic bowl and a few baby-safe items are great for water play. Just a little bit of water is all you'll need, along with a few simple items such as large smooth rocks, spoons, and cups. This activity guarantees a wet baby so it's best on warm, sunny days. For more on this simple but effective experience, check out Childhood 101.

Baby-Safe Water Beads

Water beads for baby? Yes, provided you make these mini, edible water beads. Follow this tutorial from Asia at Fun At Home with Kids. With just basil seeds, food coloring, and water, you’ll be on your way.

A Simple Sprinkler

One of the easiest ways to let wee ones get some water action is turning on a sprinkler in the yard, set on low, of course. Any sprinkler head will do the job, but a kid-friendly one will add a little something extra to playtime.

Additional reporting by Gabby Cullen

27 of the Best Baby Feeding Supplies Moms Are Using Right Now

by Kate CartiaJanuary 4, 2024

The best baby feeding supplies for mitigating messes

When it comes to finding the best baby feeding supplies, there’s absolutely no shortage of options. Whether it’s your first little one or your newest addition, feeding gear is always evolving. Of course, that’s a good thing, but it can leave you feeling a little overwhelmed with choices. But you have us, so you can relax and let us handle the hard part.

Most of us would agree that the best options have a few key features. We’re looking for suction-bottom plates and bowls (babies are mighty flingy as far as bowls and plates go), high-quality baby-safe materials, soft-on-the-gums utensils, and weighted sippy cups (because of that flingy thing again). A lot of feeding supplies are created with food-grade silicone, since it’s soft, but we also found stainless steel and bamboo options for those of us looking to skip the plastic. There are even options that also keep your comfort in mind. From bibs to bowls to snack containers, these are some seriously clever products for feeding your little one. Check out our list of the best baby feeding supplies below.

Best Utensils: Baby Spoons & Forks

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons

Shorter handles and wider scoops make these perfect for babies just starting out all the way to the toddler stage. Multiple colors and set options are available, too.

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons ($14.99)—Buy Here!

mushie Flatware Fork and Spoon Set

Made in Denmark, these aesthetic toddler and baby utensils are as pretty as they are functional. They're so simple that they're easy for little ones to hang onto while they learn their way around solid foods. They come in lots of soft colors, too.

mushie Flatware Fork and Spoon Set ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Grabease Baby Utensils

These chunky little baby spoons and forks are ideal for little grips. The shape helps them hang onto their utensils and the kiddo-friendly colors (there are lots of them!) help to keep them engaged.

Grabease Baby Utensils ($11.99)—Buy Here!

Munchkin Soft Tip Baby Spoons 12ct

Munchkin baby spoons are a parent favorite: gentle on baby's gums, ergonomically shaped, and long enough to reach the bottom of those food jars. What's not to love?

Munchkin Soft Tip Baby Spoons 12ct ($8.66)—Buy Here!

Kizingo Curved Spoons Set of 2

Created by moms who just get it, these curved spoons are great for littles learning to feed themselves. They help develop motor skills without exhausting their wrist, shoulders, or elbows with overly complicated movements. Available in 2 sets of different colors.

Kizingo Curved Spoons Set of 2 ($14.99)—Buy Here!

Best Baby Plates & Bowls

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls Set of 3

The best baby feeding supplies let you say goodbye to flying baby bowls. The suction cup bottom keeps these securely in place, while the quick-release tab makes it easy for you to clean up when mealtime is over.

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls Set of 3 ($8.82)—Buy Here!

WeeSprout Suction Plates with Lids

Suction bottoms are a theme here, of course, but the WeeSprout plates offer a divided design and matching lids for on-the-go carrying, leftovers, and meal prep. Lots of color combos are available, too.

WeeSprout Suction Plates with Lids ($18.98)—Buy Here!

Avanchy Bamboo & Stainless Steel Baby Bowls

Trying to avoid plastic? This bamboo and stainless steel bowl set from Avanchy is a great way to go. The bundle includes both bowls and a lid for easy transport or leftovers. Several colors are available, too.

Avanchy Bamboo & Stainless Steel Baby Bowls ($40.98)—Buy Here!

ezpz Tiny Bowl

You probably already know ezpz, and this beauty doesn't just include a suction bottom, but it also has a built-in placemat to majorly mitigate spills. Available in 4 colors.

ezpz Tiny Bowl ($16.99)—Buy Here!

Skip Hop Grab Bowls Set of 2

Finally, bowls that keep your comfort in mind, too. The ergonomic handles make feeding much easier to hang on to and we're always big fans of lids.

Skip Hop Grab Bowls Set of 2 ($12.00)—Buy Here!

Olababy Silicone Steam Bowl

Warm up baby food by steaming over a saucepan or steamer with this bowl. And don't worry—the bowl itself doesn't get hot as it steams, either, so it won't get overheated.

Olababy Silicone Steam Bowl ($11.95)—Buy Here!

Best Snack Containers

The Baby's Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup

These snack cups are soft and collapsible, with an interchangeable snack cup or straw sip lid. Plus the secure snack lid keeps goodies contained and is perfect for little hands.

The Baby's Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup ($9.99)—Buy Here!

b.box 3-in-1 Snack Bowl

As far as baby snack containers go, this isn't just one that keeps the Cheerios from flying out. With a straw, storage lid, and snack dispenser lid, you can use it for everything from Goldfish to soup to smoothies and beyond. Lots of cute color combinations are available, too.

b.box 3-in-1 Snack Bowl ($14.95)—Buy Here!

mushie Snack Cup

Oh, mushie and their soft colors that we just can't get enough of. The double handles are super helpful for little ones, too. Tons of color options with this one.

mushie Snack Cup ($13.99)—Buy Here!

Best Baby Feeding Sets

Baby Björn Baby Feeding Set

The rounded sides of the plate make it easy for scooping and containing food, and this set also includes a stable cup for learning to drink, and easy-to-hold utensils. It comes in 4 colors.

Baby Björn Baby Feeding Set ($32.70)—Buy Here!

Busy Baby ULTIMATE Busy Baby Bundle

The best baby feeding supplies are multi-functional, and Busy Baby agrees. This bundle includes Busy Baby's best sellers: Mat (original size) with 4 Tethers, Mini Mat, Teether & Training Spoon, Bungee Bib & Utensils, Bottle Bungee, and Toy Bungee. Not only are they excellent feeding tools, but the bungees keep toys, utensils, and more from falling on the floor.

Busy Baby ULTIMATE Busy Baby Bundle ($85.00)—Buy Here!

Lalo First Bites Silicone Baby Feeding Set

The Lalo First Bites set is one of the most popular out there. It includes utensils, bib, 4oz cup, suction plate and bowl and is available in 5 colors.

Lalo First Bites Silicone Baby Feeding Set ($75.99)—Buy Here!

MICHEF Baby Feeding Set

Designed for babies 4+ months, the MICHEF set comes complete with 2 baby food feeders with 3 different sized replacement silicone sacs, baby spoons, and a bowl with masher.

MICHEF Baby Feeding Set ($19.99)—Buy Here!

VOD VISUAL Owl Baby Feeding Set

Why not add a friendly face to mealtime with this adorable owl set? The dishes even have suction cup bottoms. Available in several colors.

VOD VISUAL Owl Baby Feeding Set ($24.99)—Buy Here!

Best Bibs

Tiny Twinkle Long Sleeve Bibs

Cover them alllllll the way up with these best selling long sleeve bibs. There's a good chance they'll still find a way to drip something somewhere, but this set mitigates the possibility. Lots of colors are available.

Tiny Twinkle Long Sleeve Bibs ($23.99)—Buy Here!

Grabease Allover Waterproof Bib

Looking for serious bib coverage? Look no further. This one is designed to cover your babe and their highchair, plus its machine washable. Multiple color options, too.

Grabease Allover Waterproof Bib ($26.99)—Buy Here!

PandaEar Silicone Bibs Set of 3

Budget-friendly, ultra-functional, and scoring almost 5 stars from over 12,000 Amazon reviewers? This is the set that delivers.

PandaEar Silicone Bibs Set of 3 ($7.99)—Buy Here!

Bumkins Waterproof Fabric Starter Bibs

Fabric bibs are classic for a reason: these waterproof fabric bibs are soft and strong and include a crumb-catcher pocket. Machine wash them over and over. Plus, they come in lots of adorable colors and prints.

Bumkins Waterproof Fabric Starter Bibs ($10.95)—Buy Here!

Tiny Twinkle Apron Bib

We're really into this apron style bib with little arm holes that are totally tug-proof. The sweet colors and prints are a major selling point here, too.

Tiny Twinkle Apron Bib ($11.99)—Buy Here!

Best Water Cups

Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid

Learning is is the name of the game when it comes to baby water cups, and this one is designed by pediatric experts. The weighted base prevents tip-overs and your little one can see inside the cup to know what's in it and how much is left (which is a big deal when they're learning to drink for themselves). 5 colors available.

Olababy Silicone Training Cup with Straw Lid ($12.76)—Buy Here!

Evorie Tritan Weighted Straw Sippy Cup

Made of Tritan that's clear as glass yet strong as stainless steel, the Evorie Sippy Cup is an award-winning cup with a straw that allows babies to drink from an angle while minimizing extra air that can lead to tummy upsets. Multiple colors and designs are available.

Evorie Tritan Weighted Straw Sippy Cup ($18.99)—Buy Here!

Bunnytoo Baby Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw

The weighted straw idea is brilliant, honestly. It lets your little one drink from any angle or position and keeps spills and leaks to a minimum. There are 7 colors available.

Bunnytoo Baby Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw ($13.99)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

20 Baby Games to Play with Your Child from Birth to Age 1

by Katie L. CarrollDecember 19, 2023

You waited 9 months and baby is finally here. And even though you’re ready to have fun with that little bundle, baby—not so much (especially during those first few months). But in between the diaper changes, naps, and feedings, you and your little one can find time to play simple games that benefit baby’s development. Playing helps babies learn about the world and develop new motor skills and social skills. The key is knowing at what age they’re ready for baby games like peekaboo and blowing bubbles. Here’s an age-by-age guide for the best games to play with babies at different times during their first year.

Games for Babies: 0-3 Months

two moms play peek a boo, games for babies, with a newborn on a bed — iStock

1. Imitation Game

Your face is your baby’s favorite thing to look at. Keep it about a foot away from your newborn so they see you properly, and then stick out your tongue or form an O with your mouth. Before you know it, baby will copy you. Bonus points for making silly noises to go along with your expressions.

2. Singing

Newborns might not be able to see you from across the room, but they can hear you, and they recognize (and love) your voice. Sing a lullaby or “Wheels on the Bus,” belt out your favorite song or commercial jingle, or make up a song about your daily activities. It doesn’t matter if you’re out of tune, your voice gives your baby comfort and joy.

3. Flashcards

While even the smartest newborn nerd isn’t ready for math or reading flashcards yet, simple images from cards or books get their attention. Black and white images, simple patterns and bright colors are easiest for them to see at this age. They also love images of other babies. All you have to do is hold up the card, point at the picture, and talk about the image. Or put it down in front of them to explore during tummy time.

4. Hanging Toys

Your little one might not be reaching out for toys yet, but looking at them is one of their favorite baby games. Hang a mobile above the crib or find an activity gym with hanging toys and lay baby on their back to enjoy. Baby-safe mirrors are great, too. Babies won’t know it’s their face, but that won’t dampen their enthusiasm for staring at it or reaching out for it.

5. Repetitive Routine

While the endless cycle of eating, burping, sleeping, diapers and baths may not be thrilling for you, it’s your baby’s whole world. Add some fun to the routine by singing a song during bath time, dancing after a diaper change, or stopping to look at framed photos of family members. Whatever you do, the key is doing it consistently.

Games for Babies: 4-6 Months

two dads hold a baby in the bed playing games — iStock

6. Interactive Stories

Your little one is a bit more responsive at this age. Change up those simple newborn activities for slightly more interactive baby games. This is a great time to introduce games like “This Little Piggy.” They don’t require independent movement from baby, but kids find the story super fun.

7. Moving Tummy Time

Put tummy time in motion to mix things up. Once your baby has pretty good head control, lay them on their stomach on a small blanket. Then slowly pull them around the room. Make motor or train noises for even more silly fun.

8. Blowing Bubbles

You don’t need to wait until baby’s old enough to chase after bubbles to introduce then. At this age, babies are starting to see better, so they will be fascinated with the moving rainbows of bubbles. Blow the bubbles near them but not directly at them to keep the soap out of their eyes.

9. Echo Noises

When your baby makes a happy noise, make one back. If they blow bubbles with their lips, blow some back. You’ll get big smiles real quick from this imitation game.

10. How Big Is Baby?

It’s amazing how fast those early months fly by. Your six-month-old will seem huge in comparison with how little they were just a few months ago, making the classic “How Big Is Baby?” game all the more poignant. To play, hold baby’s hands and ask in a sweet voice, “How big is baby?” Then put their hands up over their head and say, “This big!” Mix it up by replacing “big” with different adjectives smart, sweet, etc.

Games for Babies: 7-9 Months

a dad kisses his baby on the forehead, baby sitting on the counter, playing games for babies — iStock

11. Patty Cake

You don’t need to retire those songs from the newborn stage, but continue to up the game with tunes that have motions and finger play to go along with them. Start by showing the motions to songs like “Patty Cake,” “Itsy-Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus.” You can also help babies do the motions with their hands.

12. Peekaboo

By now your baby is beginning to have an understanding of object permanence, knowing that when things are out of sight, they aren’t gone forever. If your little one hasn’t already discovered the joy that is peekaboo, this is the perfect time to try it out. Hide your face behind your hands, hide baby’s face behind your hands, or pop out from behind a door or curtain. You can also hide or partially hide objects (like putting a musical toy under a blanket) to see if your child will look for them.

13. Flying Baby

At this age, your baby should have enough control and strength for some flying time on your knees. Lay flat on your back or slightly propped up on a pillow. Use your bent legs to support your baby’s body, hold their hands, and gently fly them around. You can go up and down, side-to-side or a combination of the two. Sound effects and silly songs are mandatory with this activity.

14. Roll the Ball

Once your child is able to sit, sit across from them and roll a ball toward them. At first, baby probably won’t roll it back, but they might pick it up and play with it or chew on it. When they lose interest in the ball, pick it up and roll it back to them to start the game over. Eventually, they’ll be rolling it back to you.

Games for Babies: 10-12 Months

15. Sensory Boxes

Nothing is more fun for your older baby than taking things out of a box and putting them back in. Fill a box or bin with a combination of balls, soft blocks, small books, scarves or baby-safe household items like a wooden spatula. Look for objects that have different textures and are big enough not to be choking hazards. Show your child how to take things out of the box and put them back in. It won’t be long before they’re dumping out and rearranging every box they can get their hands on, not to mention your purse and diaper backpack.

16. Obstacle Course

Let the baby games begin! Chances are your little explorer is on the move, or ready to be soon. Whether scooting, crawling, walking or full-on climbing, a baby-appropriate pillow obstacle course is a good energy burner. Set out couch cushions or pillows all around the floor. Demonstrate how to climb over, around or peek under them and then watch your kid go.

17. Dance Time

There are so many ways to enjoy dancing with your baby. You don’t have to stick to baby music; play your favorite tunes if you’d like. Sit on the floor together and bop your head and body or pretend to play an instrument. Baby might not be ready for air guitar yet, but it won’t take much prompting to get them bopping along to the beat. You can also hold baby in your arms and spin in slow circles or sway back and forth. Or sit them in your lap and bounce them on your knees in time to the music.

18. Stack & Attack

Stacking cups, stacking rings and blocks are a favorite for your almost one-year-old. In fact, any items that can be put on top of one another and knocked back down without breaking are fair game. Try plastic storage containers, empty yogurt containers, or small boxes and bring in your little destructor to hulk-smash them down.

19. Bath Splash

A few plastic cups, clean sponges and washcloths add baby thrills to the nightly bath. Use the cups to show how they can be filled with water and them emptied. Squeeze the sponges and washcloths on baby’s belly. Show baby how to smack the water to make a big noise.

20. Make Noisemakers

Fill a clear plastic container with dry beans or rice. Give it a shake and roll it along the floor to show your baby how to make music with it. Add a few colored pom poms to the container to make the shaking even more interesting for your baby.

11 Teething Tips Every Parent Needs in Their Arsenal

by Jane PutnumSeptember 25, 2023

Teething has turned your sweet baby into a drooling, clingy, cranky mess, and none of your go-to remedies seem to be working. You’re giving them all the extra cuddles (the best treatment for most baby drama), extra boob or bottles, you panic-ordered the iconic banana teether toothbrush, and you’re now best friends with Sophie La Girafe, but your little one is still a disaster. Luckily, there are so many other ways to help soothe a teething baby. Try these teething tips to ease your babe’s discomfort fast—and don’t forget to keep wiping that waterfall of drool pouring out of their mouths! (The last thing you need is irritated skin on top of teething pain.)

1. Rub baby’s gums. After washing your hands, give your baby a gentle gum massage. The pressure from your fingers will counter the pressure of the teeth breaking through. It will feel good and offer your little one some relief from sore, swollen gums.

2. Refrigerate a pacifier. Chilling a pacifier makes it even more soothing by lightly numbing gums to dull the pain.

3. Wear baby-safe teething necklaces. Teething necklaces (jewelry for mom with chewable silicone pieces) give your child an easy-to-grab item to gnaw on when you're holding them. Just don't put any jewelry (e.g. amber necklaces) on your baby—these are choking and strangulation hazards.

4. Try a mesh feeder. Freezing some fruits in a mesh feeder can be a lifesaver for cranky kids and their equally cranky parents. Not only does it chill and soothe sore gums, but your baby or toddler will be occupied for a solid chunk of time before they get through all that frozen goodness.

5. Make milk/formula popsicles. Some babies and toddlers refuse to eat while teething, mostly out of discomfort. Popsicles keep your little one fed and hydrated while soothing those gums. Use silicone popsicle forms to make them, and fill with breastmilk or formula. When eating, slip a bib on your babe or place them on a washable towel or blanket since popsicles can get messy.

6. Wear your baby as much as possible. Strap your clingy child into a structured carrier or wrap, facing inward. They'll feel comfort from being close to you, and you can still get things done. Win-win.

7. Freeze a wet, textured washcloth. Moisten a textured washcloth, wring it dry, and place in the freezer before giving it to your baby. Terrycloth or a ribbed texture will offer added relief by creating friction as baby gnaws on it.

8. Refrigerate a small spoon. A spoon is something your child can hold on their own, chew on, push against their gums, and even play with to distract themselves from teething pain. Keep a few spoons in the fridge so you always have one at the ready. Those new teeth can really sneak up on you.

9. Serve chilled purees. Chill pureed foods prior to feeding your baby so the food is cool on their gums. It will feel nice and may encourage your child to eat more.

10. Become a chew toy. Wash your hands in cold water and then offer a chilled pinky for your child to gum on. You can also show your child how to gum on their own fingers, to help them self-soothe.

11. Give your child a foot massage. Studies in reflexology have identified connections between toes and the head and teeth. Gently massage your child’s toes for comfort and a distraction from their pain.

Make sure to capture all the pics of those adorable new teeth—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

12 Babyproofing Tips to Corral Your Crawler

by Suzanna LoganAugust 10, 2023

Now that baby’s crawling it’s time to start babyproofing the house

Traffic may slow to a crawl, but when a baby starts crawling, they’re zooming. Your former stationary buddy is now heading headfirst down the stairs or digging into your purse, and you’re feeling like you’ll never get a moment to yourself again. Keep kids safe from your home’s danger zones with these clever babyproofing tricks and activities.

1. Safety First
A crawling baby means a new round of babyproofing. Padding furniture corners, covering electrical outlets, tying up loose cords, and installing stairway gates are an excellent start, but there are plenty of less obvious spots that need to be secured. Add locks to toilets and cabinets or doors that conceal electronics, toiletries, cleaners, or glassware, and secure large furniture to the wall to prevent them from tipping over. Pro tip: To get a better sense of what could harm your baby, sit down and lie down on the floor to see your home from a baby’s level. You’ll discover sharp edges, dangling cords, and other potential hazards more easily.

2. Toilet Paper Tube Trick
Crawling babies have more access to items they can put in their mouths, whether that’s dog food or an older sibling’s LEGOs. Not sure what’s a choking hazard? Use the toilet paper tube trick. If the item fits through the tube, keep it out of baby’s reach.

3. Skin Saver
Hard surfaces can damage a crawling baby’s delicate skin. Rough floors, concrete playgrounds or even carpets can cause scraped, bruised or raw knees from frequent contact. Save your baby’s knees—and pants—by slipping leg warmers or baby knee pads, like the cute ones above from Simply Kids, over baby’s legs. Pro tip: Baby knee pads are also good protection for wobbly toddlers who take frequent tumbles.

4. Staying Alert
Any time you venture out and about with a mobile baby, you’ll have to stay on kid watch like your baby’s life depends on it (because it does). Even new crawlers are shockingly quick. If you have any doubts about whether you can stay fully focused on your little explorer, play it safe and strap baby into a stroller or carrier.

5. Timing Is Everything
If you find yourself having trouble accomplishing tasks with a baby on the loose, adjust your schedule where you can. For example, cut down on time in the kitchen by relying on meal planning or quick prep and slow cooker recipes. Consider showering at night after baby’s bedtime and saving certain tasks for naptime or moments when you have someone else to watch your little mover.

6. Try Redirection
A crawling or toddling baby can leave quite a trail as they explore everything in reach. Keep a small basket of baby-safe toys and books in each room to capture their attention when necessary and keep them away from cereal boxes, markers, and other major messes.

7. Get Germ-Aware
Keeping a crawling baby clean when you’re away from home can be a challenge. Keep a stash of wipes and sanitizer in your diaper bag for outings, and a change of clothes in case of bigger messes.

8. Keep a Surprise Toy Stash
How can you entertain your little cruiser when you need to shower, take a phone call or respond to emails? Hide a stash of “surprise” toys that stay out of your regular toy rotation. Pulling out the basket of “new” trinkets can keep your mobile mini-me entertained for a few minutes while you take care of business or relax for some much-needed me time.

9. Plan a Pool Party!
Turn your blow-up pool into a ball pit by adding colorful plastic balls. Your child will have room to move freely while exploring, and you’ll rest easy knowing baby is contained and entertained.

10. Cook Up Some Quiet
If trying to prep pasta primavera with baby running amok (or attached to your leg) sounds like a recipe for disaster, put your babe in the high chair to watch you. Sing songs, tell stories, or offer an assortment of finger foods to keep them entertained. If you want to pretend you have your own cooking show, we won’t tell anybody.

11. Relocate Your Belongings
If you find yourself frequently cleaning up a certain area—whether baby is obsessed with pulling books off of your shelves or shoes out of your closet—save yourself the constant cleanup and move those belongings upward on higher shelves. Consider this the flooding stage of parenting. As your baby zooms through the house like a force of nature, you move items upwards to keep them out of baby’s wake.

12. Repeat After Us
If snagging your baby inches from the curb for the millionth time or babyproofing have you ready to pull out your (now graying) hair, remember: It’s just a phase. Trust us, “It’s just a phase” will become your new favorite parenting mantra. Bonus: This useful phrase is surprisingly versatile! You’ll likely be using it for one thing or another for, oh, the next 18 years or so.

Baby Tech to Make Your Day a Little Easier

by Kate CartiaJuly 8, 2023

A lot of parenting is timeless, but baby supplies and tech just keep getting better

Whether you’re a brand new parent or a few years in, we’re constantly on the lookout for baby supplies to make everyday tasks easier. Anything that gives us time back for ourselves and allows us to be more present for our families is a win in our books, so we’ve brought you our list of some of the best tech for babies out there that does all that and more! This is the gear that you might not even know you needed, but these baby supplies and tech is about to change your life.

eufy S340 Smart Sock Bundle

Baby monitors have come a long way, and the Smart Sock Bundle from eufy proves it. You get alerts when your babe is awake or fussy both through your phone and through the included base. The Smart Sock keeps track of your baby's real-time sleep data, including heart rate, sleep status and movements, and provides daily sleep reports—all without having to pay a monthly fee. Plus, the 2K resolution camera allows you to check on your little one anytime. eufy S340 Smart Sock Bundle ($449.98)—Buy Here!

Baby Brezza Pro Advanced Formula Mixer

Baby Brezza formula mixer machine — Baby Brezza

Imagine this: a fresh bottle of formula with no measuring, no mixing, no problem. Sound good? The Baby Brezza mixes formula and water with the tap of a button with fully customizable sizes from 2-10oz, three heat settings, and a water-only dispensing feature. It works with virtually all brands of baby formula and all bottle designs. Over 8,000 reviews rate the Baby Brezza 4.5 out of 5 stars. Baby Brezza Pro Advanced Formula Mixer ($177.06)—Buy Here!

Baby Brezza Smart Soothing Mat

Designed by a maternity nurse and baby crying expert, the Baby Brezza Smart Soothing Mat is the only one of its kind that mimics the sounds and motions of the womb, which turns on your little one's self-soothing and sleep impulse. Use the free app to operate via Bluetooth and customize the Soothing Mat's settings. Plus, it's light and portable, so you'll never have to be without. Baby Brezza Smart Soothing Mat ($99.99) Buy Here!

babymoov Duo Meal 6-in-1 Food Prep System

We love the idea of prepping our own baby food, but it can be extremely time consuming. This system steams and blends simultaneously to make up to 9 cups of food and 25 meals. babymoov Duo Meal 6-in-1 Food Prep System ($157.89) Buy Here!

The First Years Rain Shower & Baby Spa Tub

Rain shower and baby spa tub — The First Years

This is a level of baby bathing we not-so-secretly would love for ourselves, too. The rotating shower arm plus soft-feel sling cradle your wee one and can be removed as they grow. The handheld shower head gives you full control and offers a massage to soothe and calm little ones. The First Years Rain Shower & Baby Spa Tub ($69.99) Buy Here!

Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System

The Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System includes everything you could possibly need to monitor your infant's every move. Including the pro camera, wall mount, portable multi-stand, small sensor-free breathing band, and Smart Sheet to track growth! It also includes two-way audio, and the split-screen feature allows you to to see and control more than one camera simultaneously in-app. Nanit Pro Complete Monitoring System ($343.90) Buy Here!

TruBliss Evi Smart Bassinet

This bassinet does it all. No, seriously. From ambient light, to sounds, to rocking, to even connecting to Alexa, Google Home, or the app, it does it all. TruBliss Evi Smart Bassinet ($399.99)—Buy Here!

Tiny Traveler Portable Video Car Baby Monitoring System

We've bought more than one of those backseat mirrors and honestly, we just don't love them. This car baby monitoring system takes car safety to the next level. With up to 4 hours of battery life, night vision, and split-screen monitoring, you'll wonder how you lived without it. Tiny Traveler Portable Video Car Baby Monitoring System ($269.99)—Buy Here!

Smart Weigh Comfort Baby Scale

One of the most important indicators of baby's health is their weight, and this smart digital scale lets you stay on top of it! It's perfectly designed for your little one and offers a 44lb. capacity. Almost 3,000 Amazon reviews rate it 4.3 stars, so you'll feel good adding it to your baby supply list. Smart Weigh Comfort Baby Scale (34.99)—Buy Here!

BlueSmart mia2 Intelligent Baby Feeding Monitor

You may have been keeping track of your little one's feedings using a notebook by the rocking chair, or trying to rely on your memory (hello, Mom Brain), but this Intelligent Baby Feeding Monitor takes all that off your plate. It automatically records feeding portions using its baby-safe silicon sleeve that fits on almost any regularly-shaped bottle and syncs to the BlueSmart Baby Tracker App. BlueSmart mia2 Intelligent Baby Feeding Monitor ($99.99)—Buy Here!

Portable UV Light Sanitizer Box

In less than a minute, this portable sterilizer kills up to 99% of bacteria and viruses on pacifiers and bottle nipples, no matter where you are. Portable UV Light Sanitizer Box ($23.98)—Buy Here!

MOBI Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer

Never wake a sleeping kiddo again to check their temperature with this infrared thermometer! Fast and accurate 1-second readings mean no fuss at all. MOBI Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer ($8.44)—Buy Here!

Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet

The noise detection on the Sense2Snooze Bassinet responds to baby's cries and adjusts soothing settings like motion and sound to gently encourage them back to sleep. It also includes dimmable lighting and built-in wheels so you can relax them in any room of the house. Graco Sense2Snooze Bassinet ($319.97)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

12 Awesome Summer Sensory Activites for Little Ones

by Oz SpiesJune 28, 2023

Minimal cost + minimal mess = maximum fun with these summer sensory bins and play ideas

Babies and toddlers learn through hands-on experience. Whether they’re digging in the mud or scooping up water, they’re learning all about the world around them. Sensory experiences allow kids to work on budding fine motor skills, strengthen hand-eye coordination, and explore their imagination! Summer is a perfect time to give toddlers sensory play fun.

Set up an outdoor sensory spot using a baking sheet or a plastic tub and let your little one dig in. Here you’ll find 12 awesome summer sensory activities from mess-free options to extra-affordable ways to keep your little one engaged.

1. Frozen in Ice
Ice is very nice in the summer. Sensory play with ice cubes lets your little one cool off as the weather heats up. Your kiddo can explore the chilly textures of brightly colored ice cubes as they melt in the warm sun. Prep for this sensory fun the night before by adding a few drops of food coloring into water in an ice cube tray. To add a little something extra, freeze small plastic toys in ice. Dump the ice on a baking sheet or in a plastic tub and let your little one explore. Find lots more ideas for twists on ice cube sensory play at Teaching Littles. Feeling the changing texture, working hard to pick up slippery ice cubes, and noticing the bright colors engage several different senses. Plus, because the weather is warm, you don’t have to worry about little fingers getting too chilly. It’s an easy prep, easy clean summer sensory activity.

2. Make a Splash: No Water Needed
A plastic baby pool is a summer classic, but you don’t have to fill it with just water. Add a few scoops of plain dry oats or cornmeal. Both are perfect for scooping up and dumping out, which is the stuff of toddler dreams. Plus, they’re edible so you don’t have to worry if a few pieces end up in your little one’s mouth. Add anything you’d throw in a sandbox, from plastic shovels to pint-size dump trucks. By pouring it all in the baby pool, you keep the mess, and the kid, contained.

3. Shaving Cream + Food Coloring
Finger painting gets an upgrade when you add a drop of food coloring to shaving cream. Note: If your little one puts everything in his/her mouth, skip this activity until he/she has outgrown it. Take out a baking sheet or tray, fill it with shaving cream, and drop in a few different colors. As kids put their hands in the shaving cream and explore, the colors will swirl and mix together. Fill up a tub with water to rinse off your baby afterward!

4. Paint the Rainbow
Rainbows are a summertime staple. You can make your own sensory, edible, rainbow-bright activity at home! Simply take plain yogurt, plop it on a baking sheet by the spoonful, and use food coloring to make each spoonful a different color. When you have the whole spectrum of colors, let your little one explore the gloopy, baby-safe finger paint. If you’d like to up your finger-painting game, make paints out of Skittles! Check out the step-by-step instructions on the Teach Preschool blog.

baby playing in water which is a good summer sensory activity — Lubomirkin via Unsplash

5. Plain Old Water
The easiest summer sensory activity for babies and toddlers? Water! Fill a plastic tub with water and add colanders, plastic cups, measuring cups, or spoons. If pouring and scooping water has gotten old, add plastic animals, cars, or things that float (think big wooden craft sticks, sponges, or rubber duckies). You can even drip in a little food coloring if you’re feeling extra fancy. Whether it’s a small bowl of water or a full baby pool, water is a surefire summer sensory play hit.

6. Shredded Paper
Empty out your paper shredder in a bin and hide a few items inside the tangle of paper, like plastic toys or blocks. It makes a perfect medium for a tiny treasure hunt. For additional textures, add torn-up tissue paper or soft, squishy balls. Give it a summery spin with plastic animals you’ve visited at the zoo.

Playdough is a good summer sensory activity — Julietta Watson via Unsplash

7. Jello Playdough
Safe-to-eat homemade playdough (I Heart Naptime has a good recipe) offers squishy sensory play in every season. To give playdough a summertime twist, mix in Jello powder. It makes the playdough smell fruity and delicious; plus, the bright jewel tones are eye-catching. Growing a Jeweled Rose has a step-by-step recipe. Consider adding summery plastic cookie cutters like these flowers and a toddler-size rolling pin.

8. Scent Sensation
Incorporating scent adds an exciting dimension to summer sensory activities. Get old spice bottles or plastic bottles with holes in the lids and fill them with summery scents, like torn-up mint leaves, rose petals, or sliced lemons. In addition to looking at the beautiful colors of the items inside the jars, your little one can sniff out some favorite smells. With smelly goodies safely locked in containers, you can include items that aren’t edible but have a unique and interesting scent.

9. Mud Pies
Mud pies are a summer classic for a reason: It’s fun to mix up cool mud, squish it between chubby fingers, and get good and dirty. These mud dinosaur eggs from Hello Wonderful add a new twist to muddy sensory play. Either hide small plastic dinosaurs in mud eggs for your child to unearth, or get your little one involved in hiding the dinos. Find all the how-tos at Hello Wonderful.

10. Sand Dough
Bring the beach to your backyard with sand-filled sensory play. Whether you have a classic sandbox ready for digging and castle-building or a small tub full of sand, summer sensory play isn’t complete without it. We also love this sand dough recipe from Picklebums. It combines the best elements of squishy playdough with gritty sand for a unique take on sensory play.

11. Summery Sensory Bottles
Looking for a completely mess-free sensory option? These nature sensory bottles mesmerize little ones. Little Lifelong Learners suggests starting with a nature walk, during which you can gather interesting flowers, feathers, grass, or leaves. Fill plastic bottles with the items, and let your little one shake them, study them, and spin them around. Get tips on how to make your own at Little Lifelong Learners.

12. Ziploc Bag Sensory Fun
Mermaids unite! A sensory party in a bag, full of glittery blue mermaid things, will go over swimmingly with minimal mess. We love this sensory play-in-a-bag idea from The Chaos and The Clutter, because it can be pulled out whenever your little one needs an extra dose of fun. Like the sensory bottles, it keeps everything locked away so kids have all the joy of squishy textures without the mess. Gather up a Ziplock bag, glitter, and other ingredients and you can make your own sea-inspired sensory bag.

Sensory Activities for Toddlers

1. The Sweet Sound of Velcro

2. Sponge Bombs

3. Bubbles & Blocks

4. Cool Painting Trick

5. Wonderful Water Beads

6. A Rainbow of Exploration

7. Spectacular Spaghetti

8. Make It Rain

9. Welcome to the Coffee Shop

10. Cotton Ball Bonanza

11. Super Seeds

Sensory Play for Babies

12. Foamy Fun

13. Jiggling Jello

14. Toddler Tunnel

15. Rice, Rice, Baby

16. Pinterest for Babies

17. Star Light, Star Bright

18. Splish, Splash!

19. Rolling in the Dough

Related reads

One of them even involves a salad spinner!

Paint with Water

Use a Salad Spinner

Pull out the Squirt Guns

Make Foam Paint for the Sidewalk

Skip the Paint Brushes

Colored Salt

Paint Rocks

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Keep baby cool and entertained this summer with sweet outdoor water play ideas they’ll love

Water Painting

DIY Car Wash

Tummy Time with Water

Giant Frog Pond

Five Little Ducks Sensory Tub

Kiddie Pool Play

Baby Waterbed

Water Scooping

Tray Play

Gelatin Bath

Bowls of Bubbles

Cubes on a String

Rainbow Bath

Small Bowl, Big Fun

Baby-Safe Water Beads

A Simple Sprinkler

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The best baby feeding supplies for mitigating messes

Best Utensils: Baby Spoons & Forks

Avanchy Bamboo Baby Spoons

mushie Flatware Fork and Spoon Set

Grabease Baby Utensils

Munchkin Soft Tip Baby Spoons 12ct

Kizingo Curved Spoons Set of 2

Best Baby Plates & Bowls

Munchkin Stay Put Suction Bowls Set of 3

WeeSprout Suction Plates with Lids

Avanchy Bamboo & Stainless Steel Baby Bowls

ezpz Tiny Bowl

Skip Hop Grab Bowls Set of 2

Olababy Silicone Steam Bowl

Best Snack Containers

The Baby's Brew 2-in-1 Snack Cup

b.box 3-in-1 Snack Bowl

mushie Snack Cup

Best Baby Feeding Sets

Baby Björn Baby Feeding Set

Busy Baby ULTIMATE Busy Baby Bundle