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Jun 11, 2023

The Best Sensory Toys For Babies And Toddlers, According To Experts

Toys are key in a child’s development, and it’s helpful to be discerning about the playthings entering your home. Instead of crowding your kid’s space with the latest cute stuffie targeting your

Toys are key in a child’s development, and it’s helpful to be discerning about the playthings entering your home. Instead of crowding your kid’s space with the latest cute stuffie targeting your Instagram account, take a minute to examine how a new item might benefit his or her growth. Whether a child has sensory processing issues or is on the autism spectrum, sensory toys—designed to stimulate one or more of the senses—are awesome tools for any kid. Besides being just plain fun, these thoughtfully crafted toys engage, help build core strength, aid in practicing fine and gross motor skills, impart a sense of calm and provide an energy release.

Sensory toys are thoughtfully crafted to engage, help build core strength, aid in practicing fine ... [+] and gross motor skills, impart a sense of calm and provide an energy release.

For children with autism or special needs, parents can work with an occupational therapist to determine whether they’re interacting and playing with the right toys and using them optimally. “Toy selection is very idiosyncratic and depends on the child’s issues,” explains Lindsey Biel, an occupational therapist and an author of Raising A Sensory Smart Child. “Are they sensory seekers? What is their neuromuscular system like? What is going to benefit their arousal level?”

You’d also want the toys to speak to your child’s interests. “So if he or she is really into dinosaurs or cars or ladybugs, pick something that tries to work around that theme,” says Biel. Ahead, find expert picks on the best sensory toys to delight and stimulate the little ones in your life—and the grown-ups, too (we’re looking at you, pop tubes).

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Occupational therapist Jeannie Ferra loves using textured blocks with little ones to strengthen grasping skills and introduce them to different textures. The interlocking pattern of these colorful blocks makes stacking easier, helping to build confidence.

TheDoughProject

When it comes to playdough, you can opt for the original or an all-natural version like this one from the Dough Project that uses plant-based ingredients. Let your little one start with just the dough, squeezing it, squishing it and exploring it with both hands. “I want them flattening it and making a pancake, making snakes, coiling them up, that kind of thing,” says Biel. Then, keep building from there. If you wan to take it up a notch, the expert also likes the classic Play-Doh Fun Factory. “Let them use their fine motor skills and upper extremity strength to push down on that lever arm and make green spaghetti,” she says.

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Mini trampolines are a blast for all kids, and especially sensory seekers. “They give a lot of proprioceptive input into the joints and muscles of the body,” says Biel. “It’s really good for body awareness and for getting the ya-yas out. It can be used to build strength and endurance.” Her advice: Make sure the trampoline is set up safely and that the little one is under direct parental supervision when bouncing on it.

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Not all kids with sensory issues—or without—want to jump, spin and climb. Sometimes old school jigsaw puzzles do the trick. Kids who are easily overstimulated need some quiet tabletop activities. “It’s very calming,” says Biel. When your little one shows interest, start with a large peg puzzle and then eventually graduate to the more advanced jigsaw. And since puzzles can lose their charm quickly, Biel keeps the fun going by incorporating them as part of an obstacle course. “I’ll say, ‘Climb across the beanbag obstacle course and go get the puzzle piece,’” she says. Brilliant.

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Move over fidget spinner—little kids love pop tubes. You can pop, stretch and twist these tubes, which make a soothing and satisfying sound. “I use sensory tubes to help with eye-hand coordination, as well as with internal and external rotation of both arms,” says Ferra. “It also helps with self-soothing and gives auditory and visual input.”

Fat Brain Toys

What kid doesn’t love a swing? The park favorite is especially great for vestibular stimulation. It also helps kids gain balance and develop motor control. If you’re thinking about getting an indoor version, installation is critical. “You can’t install a home swing into a poured concrete ceiling,” says Biel. Instead, find one for the door frame. These are also great for toddlers who are overwhelmed by busy parks and might shy away from the swings in an outdoor setting.

Nugget

The concept for Nugget, the wildly popular kids’ play couch, originally started out as a futon for college students, until co-founder and elementary school teacher at the time Hannah Fussell brought one into her classroom, and it was an instant hit. “All kids need to have a mind-body connection,” says Fussell. “They need to fall a little to see how their body works in space. It gives them proprioceptive input.” The Nugget’s comfy sturdy cushion allows them to jump, use their imagination and let out energy in a healthy, safe way.

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Babies don’t always like tummy time because it’s hard for them, says Ferra. This interactive squishy mat makes the work fun. They try and bat the fish with their hands, and in the process increase hand eye coordination and learn about position in space.

Dizzy Disc Shop

Biel loves the Dizzy Disc—a rotating circular platform with a built-in lever that allows kids to adjust the slope as they spin. The toy activates the vestibular system (responsible for our balance) to build posture, body awareness and attention. To keep children with sensory issues from just spinning and spinning endlessly, which is counterproductive, Biel deems this an important one for parents to learn how to properly use with an OT.

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There are a million and one games you can do with this big ball, says Biel. She has kids roll over it on their bellies or bounce on it while she stabilizes it with her feet. Then they have to really use their core to pull themselves back up.

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This is for your play dough lovers, no matter the age: Take the kneading, molding, stretching activity up a notch with this hand therapy putty. “It’s like Play-Doh, but it has elasticity to it,” explains Ferra. “We put things inside them, and children dig them out. It’s a lot of fun.” These activities help increase tactile awareness, problem solving skills and isolated finger coordination.

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The Zoom Ball—an oval shaped ball that travels along two ropes back and forth between players—is one of Biel’s favorites. “Each player has two handles, and you alternate opening and closing those handles, and that propels the ball back and forth,” she says. “It teaches motor planning, opening and closing your arms, upper body strengthening and cooperation—and it’s a great workout.” For a toddler, the game needs to be adapted a bit. Biel will shorten the strings in a way so that she can lengthen them later on.