Are you looking for the best sensory activities? Having kids is a beautiful thing, and no doubt, it is not the easiest thing by far. However, for sure, when becoming a parent, safety precautions need to be considered. That means baby-proofing the house, buying safe toys and keeping harmful things away from the child. The best part about all this is the crying. Right? Not really. With new toys and advanced technology being the top priority in a lot of parents’ lives. It may be distracting to the children, but is it safe and educational.
Nowadays, it is easy to play a cartoon for kids and call it a day. Some may be educational. But is that really how we want to teach our youth? While some toddlers may be visual learners, others may be hands-on or even audible learners. Each child learns in their way. Certain learning activities for 1 year olds are created to focuses on all forms of learning. Playing, building, listening, repeating along, and watching.
In comparison, some children may be a bit particular about their toys and games. Here are a few kid approved methods. Here is my 2021 guide to some sensory activities for toddlers and infants.
DIY Play Sensory
Sensory Bags
Sensory bags are great learning activities for 1 year olds. Generally, they help babies to squeeze, feel, and hit without having to worry about breakage. Some techniques call for dividers with a bit of painter’s tape to teach them to sit.
Sensory Rice Bin
It may sound a bit bazaar, but this will teach them different textures. It teaches them to dump out large amounts into bowls and cups. These are great developmental activities for 1 year old babies. These kinds of projects for 1 year olds can be creative. For instance, you can bury a toy in a pile of rice and have them search for it. This method allows infants and babies to learn to solve problems and search. Rice bins can be messy at times but results in super fun indoor play for 1 year old babies.
Sensory Play Slime
While slime has blown up the internet with teenagers and adults creating beautiful slime art. Believe it or not babies love them too. I guess you can count it as baby sensory toys. It enables them to feel and mold the slime creating different shapes. Because slime takes shape to any mass, it not only creates new play ideas for 1 2 year olds, but teaches them shapes and size. Start off with small pieces then move up to larger pieces. There are many forms of slime such as firm, soft and etc. Be sure however to stay away from the glittery ones.
Sensory Water Play
Sensory activities for babies 6 12 months are a bit tricky, especially when it comes to bath time. They require your full attention at all times. Nonetheless, it is vital that they learn to swim and play. You can purchase a tub divider or a small infant tub, throw in a few toys and watch them have a great time. Rubber ducks and dolls are okay. But adding sensory toys like pails, squirters and floaters teach them balance and motions. It teaches them to squeeze and squirt. While the pails teach them to pick up and pour.
Sand Box
This by far is every child’s favorites. I have yet to see a disapproved toddler when it comes to sandboxes. These are sensory activities for toddlers and infants that are sure to keep them busy for hours. Get them a few shovels, pails, and plastic cookie cutters. The sand will teach them texture, building, molding and shaping. The cookie cutters can create shapes and figures, making it a fun learning experience Pails and shovels will teach them to dig and build sand castles. All this will be taking place outside because it definitely not an indoor play for 1 year old children. It is messy so I recommend keeping it outside. Activities for 1 year old baby boy can usually consist of toys cars, shapes and blocks. Sand boxes are unisex and can be enjoyed by all ages and genders.
Learning Activities for 1 Year Old Boy at Home
Many innovative learning material have come out in the past decade. The best learning games for 1 year old kids are ABC mouse, leap frog and anything on PBS.com. They offer lessons for all ages and sensory activities for toddlers. There are sound books that you can find in baby stores. They are interactive books that allow 1 year old boys to find the blue car or red fire truck with just a click. Some books and toys are already gender specific. For instance, Disney princess books are available for girls and Marvel are available for boys. There are wide varieties of choices from colors, ABC’s, numbers and more.
Nursery Activities for 1 Year Olds
Discover Basket or Bin
12 month old sensory activities require the infant to learn their senses. It helps strengthen them over time. The discover basket allows them to search and find. It is important because it develops memory, problem solving and sense of adventure. It is similar to the game “treasure hunt.” Fun sensory activities for one year olds always involves searching and hunting. That’s because it gives them a sense of reward afterwards. Much like Easter, hunting for Easter eggs will reward them with finding small goodies and candies. It fun and interactive.
Mess-Free Coloring
Baby sensory toys are very simple and some can be messy. Often times babies and 1 year old kids will want to scribble and color all over the walls. Well, I have stumbled on a genius hack! You can purchase a coloring mat and although that may have you scratching your head, you wont regret it. Sites like Amazon, Gap or Buy Buy Baby sell water coloring mats. One year old educational activities can be tedious for some. Water markers are filled with water for a mess-free coloring, drawing and writing experience. So if they color outside the lines and on to the floor, the worst they’ll do is drops of water.
Instruments
A lot of baby sensory toys involves music. That’s why they develop nursery rhymes and poems. Studies show that music helps the learning process while helping retain information quicker. Toy guitars and pianos not only can develop their love for music but can develop ambidexterity, learning to use both hands. For successful sensory play for babies, toys that play music with educational rhymes and nurseries can often stick in their minds. Like “righty tighty, left loosy.” I mean hey, I still use it to this day, I can admit. That is to say, fun sensory activities for 1 year old kids can also take place online. Online instrumental games can be entertaining and educational. It depends on that they enjoy.
Playing With Food
I know you’re probably cringing and imagining all the mess you’d need to clean up later, but trust the process. It will teach them how each food with certain textures would feel and taste. For example playing with cheerios, crunchy and round. Perhaps playing with mash potatoes, soft and savory. Not only will it open their palettes to new textural differences, but it would broaden their palettes.
learning activities for 1 year old baby at home
Most days will consist of focusing on sensory play for toddlers or 1 year old children. Learning activities need to be incorporated in their everyday activities. At home learning activities for 1 year olds consist of interactive reading, visual learning and audible methods. Games like leap frog or ABC mouse can include their everyday lesson to their games to ensure a fun method of learning.
Coloring books, puzzles and blocks may also steer away from the technology portion of their lessons. Some parents may want to wean their 1 year old baby from getting adapted to phones and tablets. I don’t blame you. Not to mention they may too young to read. Read a loud books and audible programs may also increase the chances of information retention for 1 year old babies. Developmental games for 1 year old kids can improve memorization, coordination and problem solving.
Activities to keep a one year old busy
Sometimes keeping you 1 year old at bay can be a handful. They can squirm around, run and jump and there is no way of controlling them. Activities to keep a one year old busy should consist of bright colors, interactive programs and music. TV shows like Dora, Blue’s Clues, Paw Patrol, etc. have their own games that can be found online. Interactive shows can be considered developmental games for 1 year old babies. Best learning games for 1 year olds can be recommended by teachers or professionals. Just research online for ” Best learning games for 1 year olds ” and find games with great reviews. I found games for all age groups. Activities for 1.5 year olds to begin learning their alphabet or shows contain sensory activities for babies 6 12 months.
DIY sensory play 1 year old
This one is by far one of favorites. When ever I have my niece over, it is unlimited fun. Her and I always like to create macaroni art or yarn dolls. It increases creativity and artistic abilities in children at a young age. Touching and feeling different objects can create sensory play for babies.
Here are a list of kid approved DIY sensory play 1 year old kids and projects for 1 year olds 0
- Mess-free painting
- Foot and hand paintings
- Macaroni Art
- Making Slime (without glitter)
- Water bottle maracas
- Playing with containers, bins, pails and shovels
- Playing with food
- Flower picking and fruit picking (Creating projects and meals afterwards)
- There are so much to choose from. When you think about it, what do kids actually like? They are curious little people. Really, anything can be sensory activities for one year olds with endless fun.
Sensory activities for 12 month old babies
Many techniques can be applied to different activities. 12 month old sensory activities in terms of developing mobility are listed in following:
Mobility Learning Benefits:
- Your 1 year old is able to get up or crawl
- Is able to sit independently
- Pulls themselves up to stand and move
- Walks holding on to furniture or surroundings
- Can stand alone for longer periods of time
- May have taken their first steps
Purchasing walkers, playpens and soft mats can ensure the safety of your baby allowing them to learn mobile skills without worry. play ideas for 1 2 year olds can be games like hide and seek or duck duck goose. These sensory activities for toddlers can result in sensory play for toddlers as well. Instead of it being a task for the kids, it can become a game or considerably developmental activities for 1 year old babies.
Sensory Nursery Toys
As mentioned prior, there are rhymes and rhythms that can help a baby retain information a lot faster. Fun sensory activities for one year olds can consist of sing a long shows, books, coloring activities, puzzles or anything entertaining. As oppose to having them repeat their ABC after you, there are toys and games that allow them to sing along with the characters. For instance, I remember my mother buying me a toy laptop when I was young. When I would click the alphabet or number it will sing it for me. That is how I learned my ABCs as a 2 year old. One year old educational activities don’t have to boring.
Toys aren’t cheap and parents spend tons of cash on “the best of the best.” But is it really. I know a friend who spent over $50 on a toy tablet. The only thing it did was play music and blinking lights. It was not teaching the child anything, but singing nonsense songs and making weird noises. Nursery toys don’t have to be techy either. You can get a set of plush books, rattles or hanging toys to develop their curiosity.
At Home Learning Activities for 1 Year Olds
with all that’s going on, school is not the safest place at the moment. Here a few kid approved learning activities for 1 year old baby at home.
Let’s make some music! create beautiful “pieces” using percussion instruments like rattles, bells, cymbals, pots, pans and of course drums!
Play House
Create a fort from a pillows, cardboard box, play tunnel, or playhouse.
Call or Text
Some parents may decline to this idea but I think its an innovative way to teach children about technology. The only downfall is, with every kid, they will at some point grow an attachment to their phones. At the very least they can learn to talk, text and dial. It is imperative after a certain age the memorizing their parents phone numbers incase of an emergency. That however, is a story for another day.
Walking on different textures such as:
Walking on contact paper, ball pit, mud, slime, etc.
Sensory Activities for 1.5 year olds
Today subscription boxes have been all the buzz. They have a wide variety of activities and games that can be sent to your door every month. Now, not a lot of parents know about these boxes, but they offer crafts, toys puzzles, guides and activities right to your door step. Here are a few kid and parent approved boxes you want to check out.
Creative Girl’s Club
This focuses on creativity and art. Every month they send you a box of super cute DIYs like jewelry, beaded paintings, drawings, and so much more! The box costs $19.98 a month. Just make sure to supervise them due to the small pieces that it may come with. This is an interactive box for you and your child to enjoy.
Little Passports
Every month’s box comes with a new country to learn about. You build their passports by “visiting” the given countries as they learn and discover new and exciting fun facts. They currently have a special going on 10% off of $25, 15% off of $100, 20% off of $200. When you sign up with your email, you can receive a 15% off coupon for your first box.
The Babbler
This is a quarterly box with various toys, games and activities. Activities include; sensory activities for 12 month old babies, nursery activities for 1 year olds, and activities for 1 year old baby boy; toddlers and infants.
Amazon Prime Book: This book subscription comes with either board books or two Hardcover books. It’s $17 per month and offers a wide variety of genres, books and articles. It’s satisfies ages 0-12.
Cooking Kits
Small Japanese cooking kits have been a huge hit. I’ve seen so many people try them on Youtube alone or with their kids. You don’t necessarily have to cook it the traditional way, but it requires water and perhaps a microwave. It may be a bit advanced, but it’s a great way to teach them how to construct and great.
Easy bake ovens are a fun and tasty way to create something yummy with your child. Make sure to supervise them. It’s appropriate for toddlers over 5+ But if you want an interactive baking session, then this is for you.
Being a parent is never easy. It requires a ton of patients, funds, and free time. Teaching our children is going to be a bigger challenge that we face with the current situation, but we never give up. These easy steps and routines, if applied, can ease the entire process. They’re still going to have their days where they cry and shout, but hey, at least we can stop it for the time being.
Have you ever heard of the terrible twos? Yes! That is a real thing! I just want to quickly brief you on a few awesome activities for those terrible two-riffic days!
Make eating fun
personally whenever I have my nieces and nephews over, I like to creat cute bentos with funny faces and heart shaped cookies. Shapes and colors don’t always need to be applied to only play time and puzzles. Fuse them with their everyday routines and habits.
Play music when they throw a tantrum: Music eases the mind. Even when I’m upset I’ll go ahead and play a few tunes. Figure out their favorite song and use it as a way to calm them from their terrible tantrums.
No baby talk
It’s weird but I remembered being told by my mom to speak to a baby like an adult. Of course, without the complex vocabulary. They actually comprehend. Not only does information retain much faster but they take you seriously.
Bed time means bed time
Not only does it maintain a firm stance, but you’re developing their circadian rhythm to be consistent and healthy. Many disorders and lack of concentration comes from lack of sleep and poor development. Sure they can play with all the sensory toys and games they want. However, it will be a difficult time comprehending their differences.
Those were a few tips and fun facts that hopefully can apply to your everyday routine with your precious littles ones. Hopefully you can give them a try. These tips are most definitely kid approved and without a doubt enjoyed by man. I speak from experience because I am the “fun aunt” like they call. I’m always ready with games and fun any day. These are a sure fire way to teach your baby and have a great time as well. If you’d like to checkout any of the toys and games my top suggestions are mentioned in the previous passages.
Buying toys and activities aren’t always difficult. Make sure to research, ask and check. These were personal favorites of mine. They’ve been put through tests and some make work for most. So be safe, have fun, keep playing. From our family to yours.
See also: Stay at Home Mom Daily Schedule Template
