Product review

5 Best Sensory Toys for Toddlers - Oct. 2026

Vanke · BestReviews source

BEST OF THE BEST

Infantino

Sensory Balls, Blocks, and Cups Activity Set

Most Versatile

Includes a variety of durable toys that toddlers can use to build fine motor skills, explore STEM concepts, and more.

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PROS

Generous 16-piece set comes with 8 stacking cups, 4 squishy blocks, and 4 tactile balls.
Each set of items can be used independently or combined for even more exploration.
Made from durable, easy-to-clean, flexible plastic.
Chewable and soft-sided.

CONS

There are small holes in some pieces that can trap water.

BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK

Infantino

Press and Stay Sensory Blocks

High Visual Contrast

Interlocking tactile nubs allow toddlers to fit these high-contrast blocks together, eliminating the frustrations that stacking presents most toddlers.

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PROS

Set of 24 blocks with raised numbs that interlock for building, which is easier than stacking for most toddlers.
These blocks can be built vertically or even sideways.
Nubs provide tactile stimulation, while the blocks' high-contrast colors provide visual stimulation.
Durable and easy to clean.
BPA-free.

CONS

Some say the blocks don't fit together as easily as expected.

Pillow Pets

Disney Moana Pua Pillow Pet with Sleeptime Lite

Best for Bedtime

Toddlers love this toy's soft, plush fur as well as its fun rainbow lights. Parents love that the auto-shutoff conserves battery life.

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PROS

Plush, officially licensed Disney toy that unfolds into a flat pillow.
Features a built-in rainbow light that projects stars onto the ceiling.
Adjustable light show options.
Automatic shutoff after 20 minutes.
Covered with soft, comfortable chenille.
Reinforces cause-and-effect.

CONS

The plastic lightbox and battery case cover can be uncomfortable when lying on the middle of the pillow.

Fisher-Price

Little People Caring for Animals Farm

Feature-Packed

Our testers absolutely loved this toy for its fun sounds, multiple learning aspects, and durability thanks to high-quality materials.

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PROS

A great set that helps teach kids various farm animal sounds and music.
Comes with 1 farmer, 4 animals, and 2 food pieces.
Lasts for a long while without the need to replace batteries.
Good for ages 1-5, making it a toy that your child will enjoy for a long period of time.

CONS

We wish that it came with some sort of storage option for the figures.

EduShape

Sensory Puzzle Blocks

STEM & Spatial Skills

These brightly-colored, angular foam blocks challenge toddlers' logic and reasoning skills, and provide sensory stimulation to boot.

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PROS

Popular set that encourages spatial and STEM thinking, and gives visual and tactile stimulation as well.
Each block has pyramid-shaped tactile nubs.
Made from soft EVA foam, so they are recommended for children ages 2 and up who have passed the stage of chewing on most toys.

CONS

The nubs that make these blocks such great sensory toy makes it difficult to stack them more than two high.
If this frustrates your child, consider using them like puzzle pieces.

Why trust Vanke?

Vanke spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About Vanke

Vanke spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About Vanke

How We Tested

After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested the Fisher-Price Little People Caring for Animals Farm Playset to be sure that it’s worthy of our recommendation. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.

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First Reviewed

April 28, 2021

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