Sensorimotor Toys: Supporting Development Through Play

What are sensorimotor toys?

Sensorimotor toys are play materials that combine sensory input and movement, encouraging children to explore and learn through active engagement. They support sensory processing across touch, movement, balance, vision, and sound, while promoting coordination, body awareness, and interaction with the environment.

What is the sensorimotor stage and why is it important?

The sensorimotor stage occurs from birth to around two years, and this stage lays the foundation for how children learn, move, and interact with the world around them. 

During this stage, repeated sensory and movement experiences support the development of brain connections involved in coordination, attention, problem-solving, communication, and play. Providing suitable sensorimotor toys during this time gives children the opportunity to safely explore and learn through hands-on experiences. 

Simple toys that encourage reaching, grasping, mouthing, shaking, and moving help strengthen these early skills while also supporting curiosity and engagement.

The importance of sensorimotor play beyond this stage

As children grow, ongoing sensorimotor play continues to play an important role in development. Ongoing sensory and movement experiences support:

• Emotional regulation
• Attention and focus 
• Motor skill development 
• Communication and social interaction 
• Participation in everyday activities

For children with disability or sensory processing differences, access to meaningful sensory and movement experiences can be especially important. These experiences can help support self-regulation, improve engagement in play and learning, and help children feel more organised and ready to participate in daily life.

Continuing to offer opportunities for sensorimotor play supports not just development, but also how children feel and function day to day.

Small, regular opportunities for movement and sensory input can make a meaningful difference.

Simple ways to support sensorimotor play at home

You don’t need specialised equipment to support sensorimotor development. Many effective activities can be created using everyday items. 

Here are some simple ideas to try at home:

• Movement play: Rolling, crawling, climbing over cushions, building obstacle courses, or dancing to music 
• Tactile play: Sensory bins/tubs (fill a container with rice, pasta, sand, or water and add cups, scoops or small toys for pouring, digging and exploring), exploring play dough, finger painting, or fabrics with different textures 
• Heavy work activities: Pushing a full laundry basket, toy pram, cart or box across the floor, pulling items against resistance (e.g. rope resistance band or loaded basket)
• Cause and effect play: Rattles, pop-up toys, bubbles or toys that light up or make sounds when activated
• Everyday routines as play: Bath time pouring and splashing, helping stir ingredients, or packing and unpacking items

The key is to follow your child’s interests and offer opportunities for them to move, explore, and engage their senses in a way that feels safe and enjoyable.

Making space for sensorimotor play

Sensorimotor play is a key part of how children develop foundational skills for learning, movement and everyday participation. It doesn’t need to look a certain way or involve specific toys—often it’s already happening in everyday moments.

By noticing and making space for these opportunities, we can support children to explore, move, and engage in ways that work for them. Over time, these small experiences can help children feel more comfortable in their bodies and more able to take part in daily activities.