With all the noise and activity around you, it’s hard for your child with special needs to focus. Whether it be auditory or visual, these toys help them relax, concentrate better and engage in more meaningful play.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Sensory toys can be a valuable tool for supporting the development of special needs children. |
| When choosing sensory toys, it’s important to consider your child’s unique needs and preferences. |
| Sensory toys can support the development of a range of skills, including cognitive, motor, and social-emotional skills. |
| Sensory play can be particularly beneficial for children with sensory processing difficulties or other special needs. |
| DIY sensory toys can be a fun and affordable way to provide your child with sensory play experiences. |
1. Sensory Ball Pit Balls
Sensory Ball Pit Balls are great for kids with autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder. These balls are made from plastic and are safe to use. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, textures and sizes to suit any child’s needs.
Sensory Ball Pit Balls provide touch stimulation for most children who suffer from sensory processing disorders because they can easily find the right size ball that is comfortable for them to hold onto.
The texture of these balls provides more sensory input than regular balls do so it also helps increase their ability to focus on one thing at a time by allowing them more tactile feedback when playing with these toys instead of only being able to feel what’s happening around them like when they’re touching something smooth like wood or metal surfaces which provide less feedback.
When it comes to choosing sensory toys for special needs children, it’s important to consider their unique needs and preferences. Check out our guide on how to choose the right sensory toys to ensure that you’re providing them with the best possible tools for their development.
2. Large Wooden Blocks
Large wooden blocks are great for stacking, building and balancing. They can be used indoors or outdoors depending on the child’s needs.
Some children may enjoy stacking the blocks in different ways until they fall over and others may just like to pour them out onto the floor and use them more as a sensory item than anything else.
The only thing that you need to make sure of is that the blocks are big enough to be stable because smaller blocks could tip over easily and cause injury if not properly supported when stacked or built up into towers.
Wooden toys actually tend to last longer than plastic ones which also makes them better value for money as they won’t break as easily!
Benefits of Sensory Play
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Cognitive development | Sensory play can support cognitive development by promoting problem-solving, creativity, and imagination. |
| Motor skills development | Sensory play can help to improve fine and gross motor skills, including hand-eye coordination and balance. |
| Social-emotional development | Sensory play can support social-emotional development by promoting exploration, communication, and self-regulation. |
| Stress reduction | Sensory play can be a helpful tool for reducing stress and anxiety, particularly for children with sensory processing difficulties. |
| Improved sleep | Sensory play can help to promote relaxation and improve sleep for children who have difficulty settling down at bedtime. |
3. Fidget Spinners
Have you heard of fidget spinners? If not, they’re great tools to help children with ADHD and other attention disorders.
They come in all shapes and sizes, and some have special features like LED lights or built-in Bluetooth speakers. But the basic idea behind all fidget spinners is that they keep your child’s hands occupied by moving them around, which can reduce stress and increase focus.
Some parents don’t like the idea of their kids playing with toys that are just for “fun,” but remember: everyone needs a little fun every now and then!
Kids who struggle with focusing may need playtime more than other children do because it helps them release excess energy in a safe way (and lets them be kids).
Fidget spinners are also great for improving fine motor skills which means they’ll help your child improve at writing, drawing, coloring, and other artsy stuffs! If you want to get your kid started on one of these nifty devices without breaking the bank too much at first glance–don’t worry!
You can find lots of inexpensive models online if you look hard enough (we recommend checking out Amazon).
Grasping skills are an important part of a child’s development, and sensory toys can be a helpful tool in building these skills. Check out our guide on sensory toys for developing grasping skills to learn more about the benefits of these toys for your child.
4. Sensory Stretch Bands
Sensory stretch bands are a great way to help your special needs child or adult focus and relax. They can be used in so many different ways, including as a fidget toy and sensory toy at home or school.
You can either attach the ends of the band together and make sure it’s not too tight for them to hold onto.
This will help them focus on squeezing their hands together rather than trying to get out of the grip of it or you can buy two separate ones that they can match up together like puzzle pieces.
This will give them something else to do while they squeeze their hands together with each sensory stretch band in turn.
These types of toys are also useful because they allow you to guide your child into doing something specific with their hands: instead of just letting them flail around until boredom sets in (which can lead to frustration), having these types of toys gives them an activity that keeps them occupied while being gentle enough not to cause any injury or harm (like other more dangerous fidget toys).
5. Light-Up Gyro Wheel
A gyro wheel is a toy that you can spin around and around. It’s usually made of plastic, and when it’s in motion, the plastic pieces inside make different patterns on the surface.
Gyroscopes are devices that keep things spinning without having to push them yourself or let go of them—you know how your phone stays upright while you’re holding it? That’s because there’s some sort of gyroscope in there!
Using a gyrowheel is easy: just hold onto one end and spin the other end quickly. You’ll see shapes appear on the side facing away from you as it spins faster and faster!
You’ll probably want to get one for your child if they enjoy playing with spinning toys like tops or yo-yos (which are also great for this).
If not, maybe give them an hourglass instead so they can watch time fly by as they wait for their food at dinner table!
Sensory play can have a positive impact on the development of children with special needs, and can even improve their social skills. Check out our guide on sensory play for children with special needs to learn more about the benefits of this type of play for your child.
6. Infant Activity Table With Musical Piano Base
The infant activity table with musical piano base is a fun, educational toy that can be used to help develop many skills in your child.
It can be used as a sensory toy, as it has music and lights that will stimulate the senses and encourage exploration. You may also choose to use it for learning about numbers, letters or shapes by placing objects on top of the piano keys.
This makes for an interesting way to teach your child about colors as well; if you place different colored objects on each key, they’ll learn how each color sounds when played!
As your child gets older he or she may want something more challenging than the piano toys available at Target or Walmart you might want to consider getting them some books about learning music theory so they can start playing real instruments at home!
7. Scrubby Soap Bars And Loofahs
If your child is a fan of water, then we have the perfect toy for them: scrubby soap bars and loofahs.
These items can be used for washing hands, cleaning up spills and playing with water. They are also great for sensory play because they help to stimulate the senses of touch, sight, smell and hearing. They are easy to use for children with special needs as well!
8. Interactive Talking Plush Animals
Interactive talking plush animals are a great way to engage children who have special needs. These toys can help children learn to speak and communicate, as well as provide sensory stimulation.
Talking plush animals can be found online at Amazon, or in major toy stores like Target and Walmart.
Children with Down syndrome can benefit greatly from sensory toys, as they can help with sensory integration and motor skills development. Check out our guide on the importance of sensory toys for children with Down syndrome to learn more about the role these toys can play in your child’s development.
9. Pop-Up Tent With Peekaboo Holes
Pop-up tents are a fun way to encourage your child to explore their senses, as well as imagination and creativity.
The pop up tent has several holes in it which will allow you to peek at your child while they play inside the tent. This will encourage role play and stimulate their imaginations as they imagine what could be behind each of these holes.
This sensory toy is great for encouraging sensory exploration: You can get them to feel different textures through the fabric of the pop-up tent or make sounds by knocking on it with various objects such as drum sticks or wooden spoons.
10. Foam Play Mat Set With Room Divider Wall Panels
If you are looking for an easy-to-clean sensory toy, the foam play mat set with room divider wall panels is a great choice. The foam play mat is easy to clean and can be disinfected by wiping it down with a damp cloth and soap.
The room divider wall panels are also easy to assemble. They come with Velcro strips on all sides that allow you to attach them together so they create one large barrier or multiple smaller barriers depending on how many panels you want to use at once.
The room divider wall panels can be used as part of any sensory play activity or simply as a barrier for safety purposes around your home.
11. Flexible Twisty Building Blocks For Stacking And Balancing Games
Flexible twisty building blocks are great for stacking and balancing games. It’s a fun activity for all ages, but it’s especially important for older children who need to work on their hand-eye coordination.
Flexible building blocks are also easier to hold than other types of blocks, which makes them a good choice if you’re looking for a sensory toy.
Sensory toys can be a valuable tool for children with special needs, providing them with a fun and engaging way to develop their skills. Check out our guide on sensory toys 101 to learn more about how these toys can help your child, and what to consider when choosing them.
12. Light-Up Led Bubble Blower Machine (For Outdoor Use)
If you’re looking for a bubble machine that’s going to add some flair and fun to your special needs child’s next party or event, this is the product for you.
The LED lights are a great way to add some pizzazz while also helping your child feel engaged in the festivities.
It can also be used during indoor parties and events, but it might be better suited for outdoor use since it has an easy-to-carry handle and lightweight design.
This particular model comes with four different colors of bubbles: green, yellow, orange and white. You can choose how many colors you want at any given time by pressing one button on the machine itself (there is also an option to turn off all of the lights).
Conclusion
From the above list, it’s clear that there are many different kinds of sensory toys for special needs children.
Each one is designed to help children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) and other similar conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
These toys provide different ways to stimulate the senses, which helps reduce anxiety and improve mood.
How to Choose the Right Sensory Toy for Your Child
| Consideration | Tips |
|---|---|
| Age | Choose toys that are age-appropriate and safe for your child. |
| Sensory Preferences | Consider your child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities, and choose toys that align with their needs. |
| Skill Development | Look for toys that support the development of a range of skills, including cognitive, motor, and social-emotional skills. |
| Quality | Choose high-quality toys that are durable and can withstand wear and tear. |
| Budget | Consider your budget when selecting toys and look for affordable options, such as DIY sensory toys. |
Further Reading
If you’re interested in learning more about sensory toys and their benefits, check out these resources:
Your Kid’s Table: This article provides an overview of sensory toys and how they can be used to support child development.
Verywell Family: This article provides an in-depth look at sensory toys, including what they are, how they work, and their potential benefits.
WonderBaby: This resource specifically focuses on sensory toys for children with autism, providing recommendations and tips for choosing the right toys.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys designed to stimulate one or more of the senses, including touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. These toys are often used to support child development and can be particularly beneficial for children with sensory processing difficulties.
How do sensory toys work?
Sensory toys work by engaging the senses and providing sensory input to the brain. This can help to regulate the nervous system and support the development of sensory processing skills.
What are the benefits of sensory toys?
Sensory toys can have a wide range of benefits, including supporting cognitive development, improving motor skills, and promoting social and emotional development. Additionally, sensory toys can be a helpful tool for children with sensory processing difficulties or other special needs.
How do I choose the right sensory toys for my child?
When choosing sensory toys, it’s important to consider your child’s unique needs and preferences. Look for toys that are age-appropriate, safe, and provide a variety of sensory experiences. Additionally, consider your child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities when selecting toys.
Can sensory toys be used for children with special needs?
Yes, sensory toys can be a particularly helpful tool for children with special needs, including those with sensory processing difficulties, autism, and Down syndrome. Sensory toys can provide a fun and engaging way for children with special needs to develop their skills and regulate their nervous system.
Meet Hellen James, the multi-talented writer and nurturing mother who takes young readers on a thrilling journey through her sensory-infused blog. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a parent.
