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Sensory games are a fun way to get your child chatting.

You can find fun ways of using basic household items for sensory activities that can help with your child's learning and development.

Watch the video below to find out how a kitchen roll tube and a face cloth is all you need for some sensory fun.

What are the benefits of sensory play?

  • Using something visual and tactile like a kitchen roll tube and cloth can encourage a verbal response from your little one and help to build 'mini conversations鈥.

  • Analysing how things work and experimenting will help with problem-solving and hand-eye coordination.

  • By chatting to your baby while they play and explore, for example describing what they鈥檙e looking at and asking them how it makes them feel, children will start to link words to items.

  • Allowing your baby to take the lead will build their confidence.

  • Creating opportunities for fun and play is a great way to build relationships and bond with parents, siblings and friends.

  • Activities like this one give lots of chances to ask simple questions like 'where has it gone?' and 'what's this?'

Learn more about the benefits of sensory play.

A child enjoying sensory play with textile materials.
Image caption,
Household objects can be great for sensory play with baby.

More sensory fun at home

There are lots of different types of sensory play and it鈥檚 good to experiment and find out what your baby enjoys. Here are a few ideas you can try at home.

  • Creating a variety of sounds using kitchen pots and pans and utensils.
  • Playing peekaboo using soft toys or hiding behind items.
  • Messy play using paints, water trays, foods and sand.
  • Scrunching different textures like paper, sponges, napkins and scarves.
  • Placing their favourite toy just out of reach to encourage them to reach and crawl.
  • Playing what's in the box?.
  • Playing copycat games such as blowing raspberries, sticking your tongue out and sounding out words.
A child enjoying sensory play with textile materials.
Image caption,
Household objects can be great for sensory play with baby.

Find another activity

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