Are you looking for fun activities to do with your baby that stimulate all of their senses? Look no further than 12 month old sensory activities that fit perfectly into your daily routine!
Looking for even more resources? Check out easy sensory activities for babies 6-12 months.
As a mom of a 12 month-old, you know that sensory play is essential for your baby’s development. These activities also provide opportunities for babies to explore the world around them and strengthen foundational language skills.
Whether you’re a first-time mom or experienced veteran – this blog article will get your creative juices flowing as you search for different ideas on how to bring out creativity in your baby!
Read on as I show you some of my favorite 12 month old sensory activities!
12 Month Old Sensory Activities
I loved playing sensory activities with my babies! These activities were easy ways to pass the time with a baby at home, and were also quick to set up and quick to clean up when my baby lost interest and wanted to change activities.
Sensory activities for babies are also great because you can set up an activity with things that you already have at home!
I’m big on maximizing my time as a mom, and I love doing any activities that can easily fit into our regular, daily routine.
I also found that I was able to combine learning goals into one, easy activity.
For example, while I was doing a sensory bin with my baby, I would also work on their speech goals and ASL signing goals for hearing loss.
Combining all three into a fun activity meant that I didn’t have to set aside even more time to work on the speech goals later in the day. We could get it all done, and then go about our errands and chores for the rest of the day.
Work smarter, not harder, moms!
Below are some of the best sensory activities that I used with my babies to help their brains grow, their motor skills develop, and activate their language skills.
Texture Sensory Toys
At 12 months old, babies are eager to explore their surroundings and engage in sensory activities that stimulate their developing senses.
One way to introduce your baby into the world of sensory is to provide them with a variety of textures to feel.
This supports their touch sense, plus it’s fun to feel different materials like soft fabrics, bumpy surfaces, and crinkly textures.
Not only does this help with their sensory development, but it also provides a fun and interactive experience for them.
By giving babies the opportunity to touch, feel, and explore various textures, we can help support their cognitive and physical growth.
Here is a list of my favorite fabrics and other items for touch sensory for babies:
Taste- Safe Sensory Bins for 12 months
As your little one approaches 12 months, you may find yourself searching for engaging and age-appropriate activities to keep them learning.
Sensory bins can be a great option! Your baby can explore new textures and sensations by touching and feeling objects like rice, beans, and even jello and spaghetti noodles!
You can even take the bin outside on a nice day and make a small sand box for sand sensory play.
Don’t forget to add some scoops, spoons, and cups for motor skill practice, too!
From one mom to another, some of my favorite 12 month sensory bin activities come from the Busy Toddler “taby” activities.
Remember, it’s important to supervise your baby closely during playtime to ensure their safety.
Music SEnsory Play
Music is a powerful tool that can help babies develop various skills, including their ability to focus on sounds.
This is a perfect activity for babies who just recieved cochlear implants or hearing aids, because you can practice sound awareness with your baby. Sound awareness is the first step in speech therapy to learning language skills!
When playing music for babies, it is best to choose slow-tempo songs that have minimal lyrics.
These types of songs allow babies to concentrate on the different sounds that make up the melody without getting overwhelmed by too many words.
As they listen to the music, babies can begin to recognize rhythms, patterns, and even emotions conveyed through the melody.
However, you can also add in some fun, common nursery rhymes for babies as well! And even incorporate the hand motions to go with them.
A favorite song in our house has always been Wheels on the Bus!
You can read my article for my favorite music toys for babies, but even just using some pots and pans with spatulas will do!
Bath Sensory Play
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of warm, sudsy water as you sink into a relaxing bubble bath.
And while we may take this simple pleasure for granted, it can actually be a wonderful sensory experience for babies as well.
Adding bubbles to bathtime allows your baby to explore the feeling of water on their skin in a totally new way.
It also stimulates their senses and provides a calming, enjoyable experience for both baby and parent.
I love the bubble bath from The Honest Company. The scents are natural, and I found that the lavender scent is soothing and calming for my babies.
Here is where you can find the bubble bath for sensory play.
You can also add in some fun bath paint for even more sensory play! Our favorite bath paint is from Crayola, and it has been a hit with my kids of all ages!
Go to this fun bath paint for sensory play!
SEnsory In Nature
Letting babies explore nature is one of the most enriching experiences they can have.
There’s no doubt that there’s something captivating about the way babies explore their surroundings.
From the texture of the grass on their toes to the feeling of sticks and leaves in their hands, babies love to engage with the natural elements around them.
These activities can be as simple as a slow nature walk and let your baby explore the grass on their feet.
Or even explore the feeling of a stick as it hits the concrete or following a caterpillar along the trail.
One of the activities that we do the most with our babies and older kids is to take them hiking in local parks.
Our kids get so fascinated by throwing rocks into the creeks, feeling the way the water rushes over a stick, or stepping in gooey mud on the trail.
Best of all, getting out in nature is free and is a great way to easily get out of the house with your baby.
There’s no better way to help babies develop their senses than by giving them the space and freedom to explore the world around them!
Exploring the world through sensory experiences is a wonderful way to spark creativity and growth in babies 12 months old.
It’s important to keep in mind that every baby is unique, so experimentation is key to finding activities that stimulate and engage them.
From introducing various textures to allowing natural exploration outside, these activities can provide an enriching educational journey for your baby!
Don’t forget to download your free Sensory Play Guide!
More SEnsory ACtivities for Babies
Hearing Sensory Activities
How to Create Sensory Games for Babies
Song Activities for Babies
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