Purposeful play can be a powerful tool for growth, especially in little ones with autism. Finding the right toys can help your kiddo feel calmer, unlock new skills, and focus better, all while having fun. Sensory toys are excellent tools for supporting your child’s development and helping them express their creativity to make playtime more meaningful.
Importance of Sensory Toys for Autism
Sensory toys are unique because they help kiddos engage their senses and channel their energy. They can help your child:
- Regulate emotions and express feelings
- Feel grounded and secure
- Strengthen focus
- Enhance creativity
- Feel more comfortable in stimulating or unfamiliar environments
- Develop fine and gross motor skills
- Build communication skills
Types of Sensory Toys for Kids With Autism
Sensory toys fall into different categories based on the senses they engage, such as touch, sound, and sight. These are some of the best toys for children with autism:
Visual Toys
Visual toys involve visually engaging movements, patterns, or lights that have a calming effect. Some of the best visual toys for little ones with autism include:
- Star or light projectors: A star or light projector creates a calm environment for your child. They can watch stars twinkle on their ceiling or gentle waves roll across the wall.
- Sensory bottles: A sensory bottle is a small tube filled with colorful liquid that slowly drips and swirls downward when flipped over. It’s relaxing to watch and can help kids rest during transitions and quiet time. To make a sensory bottle, fill three-quarters of a bottle with water, mix one or more bottles of clear school glue into it, and add fun visual details such as glitter or beads.
Auditory Toys
Auditory toys provide sound-based sensory input to manage sensory processing, promote calmness, and enhance communication skills. Your kiddo may enjoy these fun ones:
- Musical instruments: If your little one enjoys music, you can help them express their feelings and regulate emotions with musical instruments. Whether they tap on a drum, strum a toy guitar, or create melodies on a keyboard, auditory output is excellent for moments of calm creativity.
- Shakers: You can also buy maracas or make papier-mache shakers for fun auditory experiences. The sensation of shaking a toy, feeling the internal pieces move around, and making sounds can be very fun and engaging for little ears.
Movement Toys
Movement toys engage your kiddo in movement, balance, and body awareness to help them develop or strengthen motor skills. Here are some of our favorite movement toys:
- Tunnels: Crawling through a tunnel is a fun adventure that provides resistance and deep pressure. The enclosed space can give your child a sense of security and let them engage in imaginative play. Your little one might imagine they’re exploring a bear cave, climbing into outer space, or entering another world.
- Swings: A swing’s gentle, rhythmic swaying motion can help regulate the nervous system and manage sensory overload. It’s also a great way to develop balance and body awareness.
- Yoga ball: A yoga ball is a fantastic way for your child to experience gentle, consistent pressure while exploring their senses and developing balance. They can bounce, lift, roll, and sit on the ball for soothing input and tactile engagement.
Deep Pressure Objects
Deep pressure toys use firm tactile sensation or weight to calm the nervous system and regulate emotions. Your kiddo might enjoy deep pressure from toys such as:
- Weighted lap pads: Weighted lap pads mimic the feeling of a gentle hug or a hand resting on the lap, helping kids feel grounded and secure. When used during seated activities like meals, car rides, or doctor’s appointments, a weighted lap pad can help your little one feel calm and focused. Talk to your child’s health care provider or Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy team to choose the perfect weight and learn the best ways to use this deep pressure object.
- Weighted stuffed animals: Weighted stuffed animals are an adorable, cuddly alternative to weighted lap pads. Your child can snuggle a weighted plush toy at home, in the car, or in social settings to feel calmer.
Stimming Toys
Autism stimming toys provide strong sensory input that replaces a potentially unsafe stim, channeling it into a safer action. They can meet various sensory needs, such as movement, touch, sound, and sight. Consider introducing your little one to these stimming toys:
- Stress balls: Squeezing a stress ball can help your child feel calm and grounded, especially in overstimulating situations or environments.
- Chewable jewelry: Chewable toys are perfect if your kiddo likes to chew to feel calm or focused, and they come in lots of different shapes and textures. Just make sure to pick ones that are medical-grade and nontoxic for safe chewing.
Tactile Toys
Tactile toys, another type of stimming toy, engage your child’s touch to enhance focus. These textured objects and autism fidget toys can help your kiddo focus on tasks, reduce stress, and feel more comfortable in different situations:
- Kinetic sand: Your kiddo can squish, shape, and poke kinetic sand. It’s soft, sticks to itself, and cleans up in a snap. Plus, it’s made from natural sand and is safe for kids with allergies. Its unique, moldable texture provides soothing tactile input and encourages fine motor practice as children squeeze, shape, and build.
- Magnetic or textured tiles: Magnetic tiles are easy to connect and pull apart, reducing frustration and encouraging creativity. They can help your kiddo build hand strength, spatial awareness, and problem-solving skills.
- Play-Doh or nontoxic clay: Play-Doh or nontoxic clay lets your child press, squeeze, roll, and mold for a fun, calming experience. This also helps your little one practice their grip and develop fine motor skills.
- Fidget poppers: Fidget poppers have rows of bubbles that your kiddo can easily push out on both sides. They’re easy to keep clean, and your little one can choose from many different shapes and colors. The simple, satisfying popping action keeps hands busy and minds calm, helping reduce anxiety and support concentration.
Help Your Child Grow and Thrive at Stride Autism Centers
Sensory toys help little ones with autism experience the world around them with a greater sense of calm, comfort, and security. Stride Autism Centers is passionate about helping your kiddo learn, grow, and develop at their own pace. Our play-based ABA therapy implements various sensory toys into your child’s learning activities and daily routines. Contact us online or call us at (515) 207-5251 to learn how we can help your child thrive.
