10 Easy Sensory Play Ideas for 1-Year-Olds

1. Dry Pasta Rattles

Fill a clean container (like an empty spice jar or water bottle) with a handful of dry pasta. Seal tightly and let your toddler shake away! The sound and movement are exciting without the mess.

2. Oatmeal Bin

Spread a thin layer of dry oats in a shallow tray. Add a spoon and a small cup for scooping and pouring. It’s safe if some makes its way to the mouth and easy to clean.

3. Yogurt Finger Painting

Use plain yogurt (or plant-based yogurt) as safe, edible finger paint. Spread it on a tray or highchair table and let your child swirl, smear, and taste.

4. Ice Cube Exploration

Freeze water in fun shapes (ice cube trays or silicone molds). Offer the cubes in a bowl for your toddler to touch, move, and watch melt. Add edible fruit pieces for extra fun.

5. Muffin Tin Sorting

Place different textured items in a muffin tin—sponges, pasta, beans (supervised), or crumpled foil. Let your baby explore the variety of feels and shapes.

6. Water Play in a Bowl

Fill a shallow bowl with water and add a ladle, spoon, or floating items like orange slices. Keep a towel nearby for easy cleanup.

7. Rice in a Bottle

Fill a clear plastic bottle with uncooked rice and tape the lid shut. Shake it, roll it, and watch your baby discover the soothing sound.

8. Citrus Peel Textures

Save orange or lemon peels and let your child explore their bumpy texture and fresh smell. Always supervise to prevent chewing on large pieces.

9. Foil Crinkle Ball

Crumple up aluminum foil into a safe ball size. Babies love the shiny look and crinkly sound. Bonus—it’s recyclable after playtime!

10. Mashed Potato Play

Offer a small amount of cooled, mashed potato on a tray. It’s soft, squishy, and safe to taste—perfect for sensory discovery and fine motor practice.
Also I always let my baby girl put her hands in the food I was offering from an early age, because she was curious, because I wanted her to experience textures with her hands and because this led her to the point where she accepted to eat different textures much more easy.