Sensory Play Explained: What They Are And Why Every Child Needs It

Unlocking Growth Through the Senses: Top Sensory Toys for Kids at Little Gliders

From squishing soft textures to bouncing on cushioned surfaces, sensory play is one of the most powerful tools in early childhood development. It isn’t just about keeping little ones busy—it’s about helping them understand the world around them through movement, touch, balance, and sound.

At Little Gliders, we champion purposeful play. That’s why our selection of sensory-rich toys is designed to stimulate your child’s development while delivering hours of safe, engaging fun.

What Is Sensory Play?

Sensory play refers to any activity that stimulates one or more of the senses—touch, sight, sound, movement (vestibular), and body awareness (proprioception). This kind of stimulation is vital for:

• Building neural connections in the brain
  
• Enhancing coordination and fine motor skills
  
• Supporting emotional regulation
  
• Encouraging curiosity and focus
  
• Preparing children for real-world experiences
  

Sensory toys are especially valuable for toddlers and preschoolers, whose brains are rapidly developing and constantly seeking feedback from their environment.

Best Sensory Play Products from Little Gliders

1. Indoor Trampolines and Jump Spots

These aren’t just high-energy toys—they’re sensory goldmines. The act of jumping engages both vestibular and proprioceptive senses, helping children develop balance, coordination, and spatial awareness.

Our compact trampolines and cushioned jump spots are designed for indoor use, with non-slip surfaces, padded frames, and modern designs that blend beautifully into the home. They're perfect for children who need to move their bodies in order to calm their minds.

🏆 Our Pick: Jupiduu Indoor Jumpspot

2. Body Wheels

A lesser-known but incredibly effective sensory toy, the body wheel invites children to climb through, rock, crawl, or balance. It encourages whole-body movement and is brilliant for developing a sense of self in space.

This kind of play supports strength-building while offering gentle vestibular input—making it ideal for both energetic and sensory-sensitive children.

🏆 Our Pick: Gonge Body Wheel

3. Climbing Sets and Obstacle Play

Toys that allow children to climb, crawl, or step up and down promote spatial exploration and muscle development. Climbing frames, wall bars, and soft-play setups help children test boundaries in a safe, controlled environment.

These toys also provide rich proprioceptive input (deep pressure and body movement) that can improve focus, especially in children who need to burn off physical energy before quieter activities like reading or drawing.

🏆 Our Pick: Gonge Build N' Balance Course

4. Rocking Toys

Rocking horses and curved rockers offer rhythmic movement that soothes and engages. They are especially beneficial for vestibular development, helping children understand movement and balance while supporting emotional regulation.

Rocking toys are great for calming play and are often used as a transition tool between high-energy and quiet-time activities.

🏆 Our Pick: FitWood NUPUU Rocking Horse

5. Soft Ball Pits

Although simple in concept, ball pits deliver complex sensory feedback. The pressure of the balls on the body provides proprioceptive input, while the act of diving, rolling, and crawling through the pit engages multiple muscle groups and senses.

Choose smaller, indoor-friendly ball pits for toddlers or sensory-sensitive children who benefit from enclosed, comforting environments.

🏆 Our Pick: Jupiduu Indoor Ball Pit

Sensory Play Benefits for Every Child

While sensory toys are especially helpful for children with additional needs, every child benefits from sensory input. These activities help with:

• Regulating emotions and behaviour
  
• Improving sleep patterns and concentration
  
• Enhancing physical coordination
  
• Encouraging independent and creative play
  

Most importantly, sensory play empowers children to learn through doing—building skills they’ll carry with them for life.

Creating a Sensory-Rich Environment at Home

You don’t need a sensory room to give your child meaningful sensory experiences. A few carefully chosen toys from our Toys for Sensory Play collection can turn any living space into a developmental powerhouse.

• Use soft mats or rugs to define sensory zones.
  
• Rotate toys regularly to keep exploration fresh.
  
• Pair physical play with calming music or lighting for a multisensory experience.
  

Feel, Move, Discover

Sensory play is where discovery begins. At Little Gliders, we’ve hand-selected every product with your child’s development in mind—balancing fun, form, and function to support the growing brain and body.

Explore our sensory play favourites and give your child the space to feel, move, and discover—one bounce, rock, or roll at a time.