April is National Autism Awareness Month and if you’re looking for a gift for a child on the spectrum, look no further. Learning through play couldn’t be easier when you pick up sensory-friendly toys that young kids will love. And many of these are available on Amazon!
Cocoon Climbing Swing
Climb, swing and relax in Fun and Function's Cocoon Climbing Swing ($100). Made from sturdy and comfy material, this swing supports kids with autism, sensory processing disorder, hyperactivity and low muscle tone and helps in hand strengthening, balance reactions and motor planning.
Learning Resources Count & Color Choo Choo Train
Help your little learner develop fine motor skills with block shapes in bright colors and encourage matching, sorting and stacking with Learning Resource's Count and Color Choo Choo Train ($25). Great for kids two and older!
Skoolzy Peg Board Set
The Skoolzy Peg Board Set ($20) comes with easy to handle oversized pegs and is great for building fine motor skills. Little kids will learn color matching and recognition, as well as sorting and stacking, and is great for two years and up.
Busy Fingers Marble Maze Kit
Got a fidgeter? This Marble Maze Kit ($14) comes with two plush mazes to help keep those fingers busy! The easy to manipulate toy helps with attention and is great for kids with ADHD, sensory integration disorder or autism.
Gone Shopping Board Game
Help encourage language development and memory skills with the Gone Shopping ($10) board game. Kids will be introduced to new foods, the act of grocery shopping and maybe even overcome some picky eating habits, too!
12-Sided Fidget Cube
Whether your kiddo needs to burn off some nervous energy or just spend some time doing a soothing activity, this 12-Sided Fidget Cube will keep them busy. The cube comes with everything you need to relieve stress, like gears, buttons, a joystick, switches and stress balls.
In a Pickle Game
Think of Simon Says, but with prompts to help your child with mood regulation and you have the In a Pickle Game ($32). Great for solo or group play, In a Pickle comes with 75 activity cards that all sorts of activities, like resistance activities, using motor skills to balance and encouraging alertness.
Water Beads
Perfect as a sensory toy, water beads ($7) are great for bins, balloons and water tables. Just dump a small handful into a bowl with water and come back after a few hours to marble-sized squishy beads that are reusable and biodegradable.
Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tools
Strengthen hand muscles and improve hand-eye coordination with these simple Helping Hands Motor Tools ($12). Great for use with water beads, these colorful toys are just as fun as they are functional.
Heavy Herbert
Meet your new best friend, Heavy Herbert ($60)! Improve concentration, eye contact, socialization and take a friendly face to therapy activities and school when you bring Herbert along! This friend weighs five pounds and is great for travel.
WikkiStix Basic Shapes
Made with food-grade non-toxic wax, WikkiStix are endless amounts of fun. This inexpensive Basic Shapes kit ($12) comes with everything your little learner needs: 72 WikkiStix and 10 individual shape cards that are perfect for on the go!
PlanToys Preschool Bee Hive
Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, PlanToys' Preschool Bee Hive toy ($25) uses E-zero glue and promotes fine motor skills. Just use the tweezers or pinch motion to put the bees in the matching color-coded hut!
Fold & Go Trampoline
The Original Toy Company's Fold & Go Trampoline ($88) is super easy to put together, and great for kids three and older. The travel-friendly trampoline can assist special needs children to get their wiggles out while jumping on a toy that meets and exceeds safety standards.
Kinetic Sand
Let your kiddos enjoy all the sensory pleasures of playing with sand, without the mess! Kinetic Sand ($25) sticks to itself and has the consistency of wet sand, so kids can enjoy for hours of mess-free play.
Liquid Motion Bubbler
Use as a fidget toy, timer or just a relaxing activity, liquid motion bubblers ($7) are an easy and inexpensive gift. The relaxing motion of the bubbles provide the perfect respite for overstimulation and no batteries required!
––Karly Wood
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