Five soft balls, each 5 cm across, each finished in a different fabric. Brushed synthetic fur, micro-velvet, velour: the point is that no two feel the same in the hand.

At this size they are genuinely graspable for a young baby, which matters more than it sounds. A toy that is too large to close a hand around teaches frustration. These are light, squashy and forgiving, safe to mouth and safe to drop.

As your child gets older the same set turns into something else. The balls nest and can be posted and sorted, so a first grasping toy becomes a fine-motor game well into the second year.

Machine washable at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. Supplied with an explanatory sheet.

Stimuli is Kaloo's early-development range, created with psychomotor therapists to give babies the right sensory input at the right stage. It is designed for 0 to 6 months in particular and stays useful up to around 24 months. Suitable from birth. Arrives in Kaloo's signature keepsake box with a message insert under the lid, so it is ready to give and easy to keep afterwards.

FIVE BALLS, FIVE SENSATIONS - Each 5 cm ball is finished in a different texture: brushed fur, micro-velvet, velour and more. A baby learns the difference through their palms long before they can describe it.

SIZED FOR A NEWBORN PALM - At 5 cm across they are light, squashy and easy to close a hand around, so grasping succeeds early rather than frustrating. Soft enough to be safely mouthed and dropped.

GROWS INTO A SORTING GAME - The balls nest and tuck away, so what starts as a grasping toy at three months becomes a posting and sorting game closer to eighteen. One set, a long useful life.

CONTRAST-LED DESIGN - Prints and colour pairings are chosen for how newborn eyesight actually works, developed alongside psychomotor therapists rather than styled for adults.

MACHINE WASHABLE AT 30 DEGREES - Washable on a gentle cycle, which any parent of a mouthing baby will appreciate. Comes with an explanatory sheet and Kaloo's keepsake gift box.

0 months and above (suitable from birth to approx. 24 months)

20 x 14 x 10 cm

Synthetic fur, micro-velvet and velour; filling recycled polyester

STIMULI SENSORY SOFT BALLS SET (5 PCS)