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Sleeping

About baby sensory activities and sleep

Article By
Anna
Published On
13 May, 2025
Read Time
5 minutes

From the moment your baby is born, they start learning through their senses. 

Sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, and movement all play a part in how babies take in and understand the world. That’s where sensory play comes in. Any activity that engages their senses helps build important connections in the brain, supports early language skills, and lays the groundwork for things like balance, coordination, and problem-solving. 

What is sensory play? 

Sensory play is any kind of activity that gently stimulates your baby’s senses.  

Before they can talk or walk, babies learn by looking, listening, feeling, and exploring. Whether it’s the softness of a blanket, the sparkle of a foil wrap, or the sound of your voice, these early experiences help form the building blocks for memory, learning, and development. 

Over time, sensory play helps support confidence, coordination, and even social connection. From squishy playdough to gentle music or bubbles in the bath, it all counts! 

Types of sensory play, explained

Visual sensory play 

From bold black-and-white patterns in the newborn weeks to bright, vibrant colours as their vision develops, visual play helps babies make sense of their surroundings. They’re naturally drawn to movement, light, and colour.  

Watching bubbles float, gazing at fairy lights, or flipping through picture books all help strengthen focus and visual tracking. Mobiles, stacking cups, and light-up toys are great for encouraging healthy eye development. Even a walk outside spent watching leaves flutter or sunlight filter through trees can be a rich visual experience. 

Auditory sensory play 

Babies start tuning into the sounds around them long before they say their first word. Auditory play helps develop listening skills, language, and emotional expression. 

Rattles, musical toys, and soft singing are soothing and help babies recognise pitch, rhythm, and volume. Try copying each other’s sounds, or let your baby explore everyday household noises like crinkling paper, tapping wooden spoons, or shaking rice in a container. 

Tactile sensory play 

Touch is one of the first ways babies explore the world. Tactile play gives them the chance to squeeze, squish, and discover different textures with their hands and feet. 

Sensory bins filled with baby-safe objects, soft playdough, or splashing about in a shallow tub can all help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

Olfactory (smell) and gustatory (taste) sensory play 

Smell can be soothing and trigger emotional memories, while taste play helps babies get used to new textures, flavours, and temperatures. Starting solids around six months is full of sensory moments. Exploring different foods helps build positive associations with eating, just make sure everything’s safe and age-appropriate for your baby.

How does sensory play help baby’s development?

  1. Cognitive development: Encourages curiosity and creative problem-solving
  2. Emotional development: Builds resilience and confidence
  3. Physical development: Strengthens fine and gross motor skills
  4. Social development: Supports communication and connection

Sensory toys for babies

You don’t need specially designed sensory toys to give your baby meaningful play. In fact, many of the best ideas start with simple household items such as a muslin wrap for peekaboo, a wooden spoon for banging, or a mirror for face-watching. These activities are often just as rich, because they’re familiar, safe, and easy to build on as your baby grows. 

That said, some baby products (especially those designed to support sleep) can offer calm, gentle sensory stimulation. Sleep aids that combine soft lights with soothing sounds don’t just help babies drift off. They provide comforting sensory cues that support emotional regulation, auditory awareness, and visual tracking. 

Tommee Tippee baby sleep aids use gentle glowing lights, white noise, and heartbeat-like sounds to create a womb-like environment. It helps babies feel calm and secure, while subtly supporting their sensory development. 

Explore the Range

Baby Sleep Aids

Do sensory lights help babies sleep?

Yes, sensory lights can help babies sleep, when used in the right way. 

Soft, gentle lighting with a warm, low glow can help create a calm and consistent bedtime routine. Rather than overstimulating your baby, the right kind of sensory light acts as a visual cue that it’s time to wind down. 

For some babies, a dim nightlight can also offer reassurance, easing separation anxiety or helping reduce night waking. When used alongside other soothing tools, like white noise or a familiar lullaby, sensory lights become part of a relaxing, sleep-friendly environment that helps your baby feel safe and settled. 

The key is to keep it subtle, warm-toned, and consistent.  

A sensory room is a calm, purposefully designed space that gently stimulates a baby’s developing senses and helps them learn, relax, and feel secure. 

For babies, a sensory room might include: 

  • Soft, dimmable lighting or gentle light projections 
  • Soothing sounds like white noise, nature sounds, or lullabies 
  • Safe objects with different textures to touch and explore 
  • Gentle movement, such as a rocking chair or baby swing 
  • Mirrors, mobiles, or high-contrast visuals for visual focus 

Whether it’s a quiet corner at home, a setup in a childcare centre, or a space in a healthcare setting, sensory rooms can help build brain connections, support motor skills, and ease overstimulation. They’re also a great way for parents and carers to slow down, connect, and tune in to what their baby needs. 

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