It’s been a while since I focused on a texture game with Veronika. To keep a one-year-old intrigued, you need more than just objects with texture: Make them a surprise with a reach-inside feely bag.

Fill a small child’s backpack with a few items, choosing ones that vary considerably in texture. First up, a crumpled piece of newspaper. This was crinkly and soft, I told her as she kneaded it in her hands.

Next up: a knobby sensory ball. We talked about how it was squishy and bumpy.

And best of all bouncy!

Then she pulled out a soft and fluffy stuffed hedgehog.

This was followed by a jingly set of toy keys.

Finally, I included a wooden block, using words like “hard” and “smooth” to describe it.

Meanwhile she had lots of fun simply filling the bag up with items, taking them out again, and repeating… A soon-to-be-toddler favorite activity, as I recall.