How to Start Crafting with Your Baby: Sensory Play Craft Ideas – 6 Months and Up

I thought it would be impossible to craft with my toddler. (He is 11 months).

Now I think I could have started sooner. Not so much the crafting with my baby, but crafting for my baby.

Let me explain…

Luca doesn’t sit still for more than 6 seconds. (I timed it!) So elaborate crafting projects are out of question. But when I create sensory crafts, he is all in on the testing. And he loves to hold the materials while I craft.

(He helps a little with crafting, too, mostly with un-crafting).

It’s more like mommy crafting and baby testing.

Actually he does sensory play even without me. Just today he found a vaseline his father left in reaching distance… Yeah it’s better I give him something to play with.

Not only does sensory play provide a wonderful experience, but it also helps him develop fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination – whom am I kidding it keeps him busy and he has fun. Grab your aprons and let’s dive into the magical world of sensory play crafting with toddlers!

Why Sensory Play?

Moreover, sensory play can be incredibly soothing and is often used as a strategy to help manage anxiety and improve focus​ (Raising An Extraordinary Person)​ .

As for me sensory play is interesting for Luca. He gets bored easily. So I am happy he is testing and learning something new. At the end of the day, I feel like I’ve spent some quality time with my son, and that I am a good mum.

Sensory Play Craft Ideas

We started with sensory crafts. As in I craft and Luca tests the DIY sensory toys and activities. Let’s dive into some fun, quirky, and easy-to-do sensory play crafts to do with toddlers that will keep your little one engaged and entertained.

1. Magic Moon Sand (9 Months)

Moon sand is a fantastic sensory craft that combines the fun of molding and the magic of texture. Plus, it’s super easy to make!

Ingredients:

• ⭐ Flour (I used 1 cup for testing)
• ⭐ Vegetable oil or baby oil (3 Spoons)
• ⭐ Baby Napkin

Note: Next time I’d definitelly use vegetable oil for an edible version! It took less than 10 seconds for him to taste test.

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour and oil in a large bowl until it reaches a crumbly, sand-like consistency.
2. Let your toddler explore the sand with their hands, cookie cutters, and small toys.

Tip: Add a few drops of food coloring (or berry and carrot juice) !

2. Sensory Bottles (Sensory play for toddlers 6 months and up)

Or you can check our Youtube Video here:

Materials:

• ⭐Empty plastic bottles
• (I like to take empty smoothie bottles, or ingwer shot bottles from Aldi, Daiso has some cheap alternatives if you are in Asia or I heard VOSS bottles are great)
• ⭐Water (optional)
• ⭐Glitter, beads, small toys, nuts, stones, whatever hits your fancy
• ⭐Food coloring (optional)
• ⭐Baby oil or glycerin (optional)

Instructions:

1. 1. Fill the bottle halfway with water or baby oil.
2. 2. Add glitter, beads, or small toys.
3. 3. Top off with baby oil to slow down the movement of the items inside.
4. 4. Seal the bottle tightly (you can use hot glue to ensure it stays closed).

Tip: Create themed bottles like an ocean bottle with blue water and sea creatures, or a galaxy bottle with dark blue water and silver stars. Here is my masterpost on Sensory Bottle Ideas.

Here are some of our posts on sensory bottles:

1. Little-Known Secrets to Creating the Perfect Layered Sensory Bottle
2. Sensory Bottle Ideas That Spark Imagination—And You Will love Number 3
3. Stop Wasting Time with Overcomplicated Crafts—Try These Simple Sound Sensory Bottles
4. How Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles Can Teach Kids About Seasons
5. This Christmas, Make Sensory Bottles the Kids Will Talk About All Year
6. 7 Magical Fairy Tale Sensory Bottles You Need in Your Collection
7. Want to Keep Kids Entertained? Try These Sensory Bottle Games!
8. The Ultimate Guide to Glow-in-the-Dark Sensory Bottles—Yes, They Actually Glow
9. Crafting Magic: Where to Find the Best Sensory Bottle Materials Online and Offline

3. Rainbow Rice (1 .5 Years)

Colored rice is a sensory staple and can be used in various crafts and activities. Sadly Luca still likes to put it in his mouth so I’d recommend it for older toddlers.

Materials:

• White rice
• Vinegar
• Food coloring
• Ziplock bags

Instructions:

1. Divide rice into several ziplock bags.
2. Add a teaspoon of vinegar and a few drops of food coloring to each bag.
3. Seal the bags and shake until the rice is evenly colored.
4. Spread the rice out on a baking sheet to dry.

Tip: Use the rainbow rice to create sensory bins. Hide small toys in the rice and let your toddler find them using scoops and spoons.

4. Edible Finger Paint (9 Months)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of cornstarch
• 1 cup of cold water
• 4.5 cups of boiling water
• Food coloring (or berry juice)

Instructions:

1. Mix cornstarch and cold water in a large bowl.
2. Gradually add boiling water while stirring continuously until it thickens.
3. Divide the mixture into smaller bowls and add different food coloring to each.

Tip: Use this paint on large sheets of paper or in the bathtub for easy cleanup.

5. Sensory Path (9 Months)

A sensory path is a great way to get those little feet moving while exploring different textures. You can try this once your baby starts walking with your help .

Here in Korea you can actually find sensory paths in parks. No crafting necessary.

Materials:

• Foam mats or large pieces of cardboard
• Various materials (bubble wrap, felt, soft fabric, stones etc.)
• Glue

Instructions:

1. Cut the foam mats or cardboard into squares.
2. Glue different materials onto each square.
3. Lay them out on the floor and let your toddler walk, crawl, or roll over them.

Tip: Create a themed path like a jungle trail with leaves and animal prints or a road with different textured “pavements.”

6. Sensory Bin Ideas for Toddlers (12 months and up)

Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage young minds with hands-on exploration, and there are endless themes to inspire curiosity and play. Her is a fall inspired sensory bin.

Materials Needed:

• Leaves
• Mini pumpkins (plastic or foam)
• Small pine cones and bark
• Maroons (real or plastic)
• Small scoops and cups for pouring and filling (or like me a paper back to pack and unpack)

Instructions:

1. Spread the leaves as the base in a bin.
2. Add the mini pumpkins, pine cones, and acorns.
3. Place scoops and cups around for your toddler to dig, pour, and explore textures.

This sensory bin captures the essence of fall, letting toddlers experience the season’s colors and textures while working on fine motor skills. Swap items to make it unique to what you have at home!

TIP: No sticks, my son tried eating it and I worried the whole time he’d poke his eyes out.

Here are some of our sensory bin collections:

• “Endless Fun with 25 Sensory Bin Ideas“
• “Sensory Bins for Little Hands” – If you have a baby, this collection of sensory bins for under 1 is perfect for introducing them to sensory exploration safely.
• “Introduce your little one to Farmlife!” – Let your little one dive into farm life with this Farm-Themed Sensory Bin, complete with textured “mud,” “hay,” and more.
• “Buzzing Around with Bug Sensory Bins” – For kids who love creepy crawlies, Bug Sensory Bins make exploring bugs safe and fun!