Top 5 Sensory Activities that Promote Bonding with your Baby

Bonding with your baby isn’t just about cuddles and singing nursery rhymes (although still extremely important), it’s also about play with purpose. Sensory activities are one of the most powerful ways to deepen your connection with your little one while supporting their brain and body development. From diverse textures and sounds to movement and scent, these moments of shared exploration help babies feel secure, loved, and provide a level of stimulation.

Here are our top 5 sensory activities that promote bonding, alongside some simple but helpful ways to use them into your everyday routine.

1. Tummy Time on a Sensory Baby Play Mat

Tummy time is essential for strengthening your baby’s neck, shoulders, and core muscles - but it’s also a beautiful bonding experience when done right and safely based off your babies age.

Lay your baby down on a sensory-rich baby play mat with varying textures, gentle crinkle panels, and interactiv elements that invite exploration. Get down on their level infront of them, talk to them softly, and point out what they’re touching or seeing. Create a story-time based off something on the play mat, for example tell your baby what animals are in the barnyard featured on our Touch 'n Go Play Mat and where you may see them and the colours of them. This eye-to-eye time builds connection and encourages communication before your baby can speak.

Our Sensory Play Mat was created with this in mind- Natural materials, earthy tones, diverse textures, soft and interactive elements which would encourage stimulation while also be soothing. Our play mats are a safe space for play, discovery, sibling and parent interaction and presence together. Here is what one of our customers had to say:

"Our Nosey Toesie playmat is used daily in our household. My three month old loves it and is currently obsessed with the contrasting colours and the shining whale! I love how this mat isn’t something we’ll use for just a few months but it will continue to support my bubs development as he grows. It’s also super easy to wash and dries very quickly. It is also a high quality product made with soft, durable materials. Very much recommend to parents." -Kristin

2. Water Play (Warm + Safe)

A shallow bowl of warm water and a few baby-safe items (like a clean sponge, silicone cups, plastic animals, or a wet washcloth) can become a soothing sensory experience. Gently splash the water with your baby or let them explore the texture of the objects with your help.

Add extra bonding by singing or narrating what they’re doing: "Look we can make a waterfall by pouring the water gently out of this cup"

This kind of talk boosts language development and emotional connection.

3. Baby Massage with Scented Oils

Touch is one of the first ways babies learn trust. A gentle massage after bath time using a 100% natural baby-safe oil can be incredibly soothing and create calm. We recommend using natural baby oils like Organic Sweet Almond or Jojoba Oil, if purchasing a baby oil with scent a soft lavender or chamomile scent helps promote relaxation, make sure they are also 100% natural.

Keep the room warm and softly lit, and make eye contact as you move from legs to tummy to arms. The combination of touch, scent, and your voice creates a multi-sensory moment of love and connection and is such a powerful way to bond with your little one.

4. Texture Basket Time

Create a simple 'texture basket' filled with baby-safe materials - think organic cotton cloths, wooden rings, silicone teethers, AG jar lids, thick string, soft feathers, and crinkly objects.

Sit with your baby as they explore the basket, and describe what they’re touching: "this wooden ring is smooth, and that feather you are holding is soft, ducks have lots of feathers and they are all sorts of colours too" or run some of the different textured materials over their arm or leg: "does this tickle when I run the feather back and fouth along you leg"

You’re not just stimulating their senses - you’re also teaching them words, emotions, and how to safely explore their world, all with you as their guide.

5. Gentle Sound & Music Play

Music activates multiple areas of a baby’s brain. Playing soft tunes, singing to your baby, or using baby-safe instruments like maracas or a tambourine during playtime fosters auditory development and emotional security. Music instruments can be made from things around your home, turn pots and pans upside down and let your little one use a wooden spoon or similar object to hit down on the pot like a drum, let them discover the sounds.

For a bonding twist, hold your baby and dance slowly to a song. You will instantly see their face light up as they’ll love the motion, the closeness, and the sound of your heartbeat - a beautiful way to soothe and connect.

Final Thoughts: Connection Through Sensory Play

Sensory play isn’t just fun and full off wonderful learning moments - it’s foundational. Each soft touch, splash of water, or musical note shared together builds your baby’s understanding of the world and their trust in you.

If you’re looking for a simple and beautiful way to start your sensory play journey, our baby sensory play mat offers a ready-made space for bonding and development. Designed by two stay at home mums with love, tested for safety, and crafted from natural materials, it’s a necessity for all your magical moments.

Want more sensory play tips and tools? Sign up to our website for our free downloadable eBook: Sensory Play At Home: 10 DIY Play Ideas for Babies and Toddlers - coming soon for subscribers!

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