Top 5 Sensory Activities to Try at Home with Your Baby Spoiler alert: sensory play isn’t just about rice in a Tupperware (although, yes—still elite). As a parent, especially if you’re new to this wildly wonderful baby gig, you’re constantly told “play is learning!” and you nod politely while silently screaming, But what does that actually mean?! Well, let me help you out. I run Adventure Babies sensory storytelling classes, and I see baby development in action every single week. From the tiniest wide-eyed newborns to the chaos-crawling almost-toddlers, they’re soaking up everything through their senses. And yes, while our classes are like Glastonbury for babies (minus the mud, add the bubbles), you can also bring the magic home. Here’s your ultimate guide to the Top 5 Sensory Activities to Try at Home with Your Baby—plus a peek into how our sessions help make sense (literally) of your baby’s world.
1. Water play… but make it fancy
Pop a towel on the floor, fill a shallow tub with lukewarm water, and throw in some plastic cups, rubber ducks, or even some safe herbs like mint or rosemary for an unexpected sensory twist.
Babies love the splashy chaos—but underneath that? They’re learning cause and effect, temperature awareness, and strengthening those coordination muscles.
“The water play at Adventure Babies was a hit with my 7-month-old—he wouldn’t stop splashing and giggling! It inspired me to recreate a mini version at home, and now it’s part of our bath time routine.” – Jess, first-time mum
2. Texture treasure hunt
Grab things from around the house: a fluffy sock, a wooden spoon, foil, sponge, scarf—put them all in a box or basket and let baby explore with hands (and probably mouth, so keep it clean).
This is all about fine motor skills and tactile exploration—both crucial for early brain development and preparing for things like grasping, writing, and even feeding themselves down the line.
“After just a few Adventure Babies classes, I started noticing how interested my baby was in different textures. The foil blanket blew his tiny mind!” – Rachel, mum to 6-month-old Alfie
3. Baby-safe sensory bottles
Take an empty water bottle, fill it with glitter, water, oil, food colouring, beads—whatever sparkly chaos your cupboards can offer. Seal the lid (glue it if needed) and let baby roll, shake, and stare in wonder.
Not only is it great for visual tracking and concentration, but it can also be surprisingly calming (for both of you, if we’re honest).
4. Mirror, mirror
Pro tip: babies LOVE faces. Theirs, yours, the dog’s (but we’ll keep it to mirrors for now). Place an unbreakable mirror at floor level and let them explore. You’ll probably get some hilarious reactions too.
Self-recognition starts later, but this activity helps with emotional development, social connection, and good ol’ fashioned curiosity.
5. Storytime with a twist
This is where we thrive! At Adventure Babies, every session is built around a story brought to life with sensory play. You can absolutely do this at home too. Choose a favourite book and add props—maybe a fluffy sock for a sheep, a bowl of cereal for Goldilocks, or a torch to create shadows.
You’re not just reading—you’re building language, imagination, and a lifelong love of books. Plus, it’s genuinely fun for both of you.
“We’ve been coming to Adventure Babies since my little one was 10 weeks old and he’s captivated by the storytelling. I didn’t realise how much he was taking in until he started reacting to the same story at home. Magic!” – Emma, mum of 5-month-old Leo
How Adventure Babies Boosts Baby Development
If you’re feeling inspired by the Top 5 Sensory Activities to Try at Home with Your Baby, just wait until you see what we can do in class. Our sessions are more than just a weekly outing—they’re a sensory adventure that hits all the big baby development milestones:
Tummy time without the tantrums Supporting gross and fine motor skills through play Helping babies develop language, emotional awareness and social confidence Creating bonding moments that actually feel joyful (no plastic singing toys required)
“Adventure Babies classes were a total game changer. It gave me confidence to interact and play with my baby in ways I wouldn’t have thought of. Plus, the babies absolutely LOVE it.” – Sophie, mum of twins
Want to come play?
Find a class near you [insert link] and let’s make some (messy, magical, memorable) sensory memories together.
