Sensory toys for toddlers and kids that invite little hands to touch, stack, match and explore. From textured iSense® dominoes to translucent stacking houses for light box play, many are suitable from 18 months.
Sensory toys: your questions answered
Sensory play lets little hands learn through touch and sight. Our sensory toys invite children to feel textures, sort colours and explore light, at home, at nursery or in a quiet corner.
What is sensory play and how does it help learning?
Sensory play means learning through the senses, such as touching different textures and describing what they feel. With Translucent Sensory Shells, for example, children sort, match, pattern and count 72 shells in 6 colours and 6 textures, building fine motor skills, visual perception and early maths along the way.
Which sensory toys suit toddlers?
Much of our sensory range is suitable from 18 months, including Translucent Sensory Shells, the iSense® Translucent Dominoes (112 pieces with 7 textures), Sensory Pattern Blocks (60 pieces, a different texture for each shape) and iSense® Scoops (12 tools for scooping, pouring, sifting and digging).
Which sensory toys work on a light box?
Our translucent sets glow on a light box. The new iSense® Translucent Stacking Houses have 55 houses in 6 colours with tactile roofs, and 3 to 4 children can play together. The Translucent Sensory Tangram is a sensory puzzle with a different tactile surface on every piece, and the iSense® Sorting & Counting Set has 288 pieces in a clear container, ready for light box play at home or in class.
Can sensory toys help with counting and early maths?
Yes. The new Sensory 2-Colour Counters (200) are 25mm counters, red on one side and yellow on the other, for ages 3 and up, and children can count along with their favourite storybooks. In the iSense® Translucent Stacking Houses, ten red houses are numbered 1 to 10 for counting and ordering.
What is the difference between Busy Play® iSense® and iSense® sets?
Busy Play® iSense® sets are compact versions that are easy to carry, while iSense® sets are larger for group play. For example, Busy Play® iSense® Translucent Dominoes have 28 pieces and iSense® Translucent Dominoes have 112, and Busy Play® iSense® Scoops-4pcs has 4 tools while iSense® Scoops has 12.
Which sensory toys help children talk about feelings?
Busy Play® iSense® Rainbow Pebbles come with 18 translucent pebbles and 2 sheets of emotion stickers, giving children a simple prompt to say how they feel. For groups, iSense® Emotion Stamps include 4 sets of 6 emotion stamps and 4 rainbow inkpad sets, from 18 months.
What can I add to a calm down corner?
Quiet, hands-on activities work well. Junior String Art (ages 5 and up) lets children push a string pen through the threading holes on connecting baseboards, and Busy Play® iSense® Rainbow Pebbles invite calm sorting and talking. Read our guide to sensory toys for ADHD.
Do you have eco-friendly sensory toys?
Yes. Green-n-Learn® Sensory Shells are made from rice stems and husks, and the Green-n-Learn® Tactile Shells Eco Friendly Educational Toy Activity Set is made from recycled plastic. Green-n-Learn® Sensory Pattern Blocks won the City Kids Green Award 2025.