18 Sensory Toys for Kids with ADHD and Autism
Sensory play is an awesome way to help simulate the brain and build fine motor skills. ADHD children often focus better and learn more when they have some sort of sensory outlet in their day.
When we began homeschooling, I noticed my ADHD daughter would want to play with a pen or a marker in her opposite hand while we were writing or working. She was fidgeting and not listening (or so I thought), my impulse was to take the object away from her. Quickly I realized that even though it seemed she wasn’t paying attention she was, and she learned better when I let her have some sort of sensory toy or fidget in her hand.
Here is a list of some of our favorite sensory toys hopefully they help!
1. Sensory Letters
All 26 letters are bright colors and filled with water beads. They are a great educational toy while also dual functioning as a stress reliever as the child can squeeze them.
2. Wooden Twist Cubes
Quickly relieve stress by playing with these wooden blocks to distract your attention. They also help with color recognition, problem solving, and spatial reasoning skills.
3. Fidget Cube
Enjoy this lightweight and anxiety decreasing toy from amazon. It is a great tool to help relieve stress and help fidgeting subside. Each side of the cube offers something different for the user, you can click, glide, flip, breathe, roll and spin.
4. Feminine Chewy Sensory Necklace
These high strength food grade silicone chewy toys are a great option for kiddos who chew their fingers, shirts, pencils, etc. The adorable design makes it fun for your child to wear.
5. Masculine Chewy Sensory Necklace
Just like the feminine chewys above, these masculine shark tooth chewys are a great option for your sensory seeking child. Get them a fun chewy instead of them chewing on their clothes, hands, or cheeks.
6. Spiky Sensory Rings
Acupressure rings are a GREAT option for kiddos with high levels of anxiety. Suitable for children and adults, they release stress and promote blood circulation.
7. Liquid Motion Bubbler
We LOVE these toys. Probably a number one favorite in our house. Liquid motion bubblers are great for kids with ADHD. It shifts the focus and is a great tool to have on hand during a melt down. Helps to calm and ease the child’s stress levels.
8. Building Blocks STEM Toys
Having a fun activity to do to help promote motor skill development is a MUST. Building block STEM toys enhance your child’s science, technology, engineering, and math skills. While also improving motor skills and creating a fun learning environment for them.
9. Pop Chords
Pop Chords provide a multi-sensory stimulation, tactile and auditory sensations. Although they are tons of fun, parents… be aware, these are NOT quiet toys. Be prepared for a noisy stimulating experience.
10. Pod Swing
We have had a pod swing in our home for about 3 years and we LOVE it. Our daughter enjoys swinging or spinning in it daily. It is easy to hang and comes with everything needed. Pod swings are a great tool in helping ASD and ADHD kiddos calm down and self regulate.
11. Magnetic Rings
Magnetic rings help remove focus from overstimulation or stress. When focus can be averted momentarily to a simple rotation game it allows the child to curb unwanted habits and calms stress and anxiety.
12. Small Squishmellows
SQUISHMELLOWS! All of my daughters love these, not just my autistic/ADHD kiddo. They are fun and cute and they fit right in the palm of the hand, which makes them perfect for squeezing (pressure release). They are also extremely soft giving your child a tactile sensory experience.
13. Flip Sequin Snake Toys
These flip sequin snakes toys are a fun and cute way to introduce multiple sensory experiences for your child. They are a great way to decompress and allow your child to focus on a mindless activity when overstimulated. We have a few tshirts with flip sequin on them and those serve the same purpose!
14. Water Beads
Kids love water beads. They create a colorful jelly bead the can expand in size and provide endless fun. They help children recognize colors, count, and most importantly in my book provide find motor skills. DISCLAIMER! They can be messy. Be prepared for a mess. Try and keep them in a cookie sheet or a bowl to help with mess.
15. Textures Sensory Tiles
Help keep your child’s senses stimulated with different textures and vibrant colors. These sensory mats are great unwinding and relaxing activities for your little one. Textures sensory tiles help manage stress and hone focus skill.s.
16. Busy Boards
Busy boards are GREAT. No mess, and simple fun. The little activities are great for fine motor skill development. We use busy boards in the car, at church, at restaurants, and while mom has to make dinner.
17. Pop Its
Who doesn’t love pop its!? I am a 30 year old mom and I STILL play with these things. Pop its are a great unwinding activity. They shift focus and provide a quiet fun activity for you or your kiddo.
18. Sensory Toy Multi Pack
Last, but not least, if you’re unsure of which fidget toys will be best for your child try a variety pack. With a 50 piece variety pack you can be sure to find something your kiddo enjoys and gets the results you’re wanting.
Fidget bags or boxes are a great option to have around the house, in the car, or in a bag ready to go. Find the toys that work best for your child and add them to your bag today!
