What is Sensory Play?

Sensory play refers to activities that engage a child’s senses - touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste - along with movement and balance. These experiences help children explore and make sense of the world around them, build nerve connections in the brain, and support cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and language development.

Sensory play is often hands-on and messy, involving materials like sand, water, rice, slime, play dough, or natural elements like leaves and stones. It’s not just about fun - it’s a vital part of how children learn through discovery and experimentation.

Please ensure children are supervised during sensory play - adult guidance is recommended based on your child's age and developmental needs.

What is Early Explorers?

At 'Early Explorers', we believe in the power of play to spark imagination, nurture development, and create joyful learning moments. We are New Zealand based and we specialise in handmade sensory play environments that are engaging, and thoughtfully crafted for young children.

Our sensory play terrians are made from natural ingredients like rice, pasta, and food colouring - so parents can feel at ease knowing they’re a lot safer, even if curious little ones explore with their mouths. Each set is designed to stimulate sensory development and creative storytelling. We offer hands-on fun that sparks curiosity, and hours of engaging play.

About Us

‘Early Explorers’ was founded by Ruby Brett, a passionate primary teacher dedicated to inspiring young learners through play-based discovery.

“My goal is to create fun and exciting activities that support children in building their confidence and independence. Through hands-on, engaging experiences, I aim to nurture each child’s natural curiosity and encourage them to explore, try new things, and believe in themselves. These activities are thoughtfully designed to promote essential skills - such as problem-solving, communication, and self-regulation - that will help prepare children for the transition to school.”

Our Sensory Play Range

Explore our range of themed terrains - from the shimmering blues of Under the Sea, to the golden sands of Safari, and the lush greens of Jungle Grass. These unique environments create the perfect stage for imaginative adventures using our collection of dinosaur, animal, car, fairy, and other themed toys, which are available in curated sets or as individual pieces.

We also offer our own handmade themed playdough sets. The playdough itself is made with non-toxic, child-safe ingredients to complement sensory play. Soft, squishy, and satisfying, our playdough is perfect for little hands to explore textures, build shapes, and engage in open-ended play. Available in a variety of colours and themes - each batch is designed to pair beautifully with our toy sets, creating an immersive and creative play experience.

Every item is crafted with care, creativity, and a love for learning. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or gift-giver, we're here to bring sensory magic into your world.

Check out our product range here!