Parenting is hard work across the board and parents of kids with differently-wired brains face unique challenges. If your child has special needs or requires additional support, the holidays can be a particularly challenging time.
The types of toys or gifts that are a hit with typically developing children may not work for your little one, and educating your loved ones about special needs toys can be an added layer of stress to an already exhausting holiday season.
After my son’s autism diagnosis, my partner and I changed our approach to the holidays so that we could better support him and it has made a world of difference. And now that we better understand his needs, we have an idea of the types of autism toys that will make his eyes light up.
Here are some of Truly Mama’s favorite special needs toys for babies and toddlers with differently wired brains.
What are Special Needs Toys?
A special needs toy is any toy that has been designed or adapted for use by children with disabilities. It’s a pretty broad category that can include a wide range of toys to fit many different needs and developmental differences. The type of toy that works best for the special needs child in your life depends on that child’s particular needs. For example, some kids with autism become overstimulated by flashing lights and loud sounds, so battery-operated toys that play music or loud noises may not be a good fit for them. Other neurodivergent kids may be drawn to stuffed animals, fidget toys or play-doh because these toys fulfill a particular sensory need that helps them feel calm.“Some children with autism become overstimulated by flashing lights and loud sounds, so battery-operated toys that play music or loud noises may not be a good fit for them."
Educational Insights Teachable Touchable Textured Squares
These soft squares made with different fabrics and textures offer stimulating sensory play for babies and toddlers. This toy comes with small beanbags and pillows that include a variety of textures, from silky and soft to slippery and scratchy. Little ones can stack, sort and match the squares to encourage fine motor development and hand-eye coordination. Plus, this set comes with a bag for easy clean-up and storage.
Square Up
This sensory toy comes with 20 different fabrics and textures for little ones to explore. It is a great choice for children with autism or down syndrome because it enhances the sensation of touch, which can be incredibly calming to little ones. But this toy isn’t limited to special needs babies and toddlers. In fact, learning to identify different textures can help promote tactile awareness and language development in all babies. Plus, this toy encourages open-ended and imaginative play as the squares could be used as blocks to stack, in imaginative play as pillows for baby dolls, or as pretend rocks at a construction site. Must-know details:- Each beanbag measures two to three inches
- Comes with 20 textured squares (10 pairs)
- Made with polyester
- No batteries required
The Original Toy Company Fold and Go Trampoline
If your child loves to run and jump and you’re constantly looking for ways to help them get out all that never-ending energy, this trampoline may just be the perfect fit. It’s small and compact enough to fit indoors but big enough for your little one to jump to their heart’s content. This toy is particularly great for autistic kids because it encourages gross motor play and sensory integration, helping children organize their bodies through active movement.
Jumping for Joy
If you celebrate winter holidays, this trampoline is a great gift for indoor play when you can’t run around outdoors. But while this trampoline is compact enough to fit in a corner of the living room, it doesn’t have to stay there. The frame’s durable finish equips this trampoline for both indoor and outdoor use once temps start warming up again. Plus, with a weight limit of 150 pounds, your child is unlikely to outgrow this trampoline for many years. Assembly with this toy is also a breeze. All you need to do is screw on the legs and attach the handle and it’s ready to go. Must-know details:- Padded frame cover
- 150-pound weight limit
- Instructions and tools included
- Measures 36” in diameter
Calming Autism Sensory Liquid Motion Toys Waterfall Visual Illusion
Water toys can be very soothing to children with autism. My son loves to watch water move down waterfalls, through tunnels and out fountains. These toy waterfalls help encourage the development of fine motor skills as kids explore how the water moves through. According to the seller, this toy is great for sensory stimulation for kids and helps calm children on the autism spectrum as well as those with learning difficulties. It can also be used as a 'timer' for little tasks/challenges.
Wild for Water
The simple movement of water often captures (and keeps!) the attention of autistic kids. This toy is a great soothing sensory activity, and with three different structures, this toy is sure to keep your child entertained for a good stretch of time as they create their own waterfall magic. Must-know details:- Can mix and match colors
- Sensory stimulation
- Promotes calming
- Ideal for children on the spectrum
- Useful for children with learning disabilities
The Tiny Talker
This device is really more of a tool than a toy, but young kids will love using it. Designed for nonverbal or verbally-delayed children, this augmentative and alternative communication device (AAC) helps kids communicate their basic needs with buttons that say simple words, like “yes,” “no,” “thirsty,” “hungry,” “hurt,” “all done,” and “bathroom.”
Talk On-the-Go
This device enables kids with speech delays to communicate their wants and needs. The Tiny Talker comes with 12 different buttons that convey different messages when pushed. Pair this toy with the book, “Lucas the Lion Loves the Tiny Talker” to show your child how it works and get them excited about using it. Unlike similar communication devices on the market, the Tiny Talker is small and compact so it can easily be stored in a diaper bag on the go and your little one should have no problem carrying it around. Must-know details:- Small enough to fit in a pocket
- Runs off two small batteries
- Buttons measure 3/4 inches
- Soft buttons are easy to push
Tangle Jr. Fidget Toy
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with focus, sitting still, impulse control and hand-eye coordination. Fidget toys that kids can manipulate with their hands are great for children with ADHD because these activities help them regulate their bodies and improve focus. The Tangle Jr. fidget toy is compact and lightweight, perfect for taking to school or bringing with you to a restaurant or an appointment. This toy includes three snake-like structures that are made of connected pieces that can be pulled apart and put back together in different patterns.
Calming Creativity
This lightweight fidget toy helps improve fine motor control, calm anxiety and increase focus for kids with ADHD. The pieces of this snake-like fidget toy are durable and smooth so they easily slide across little fingers and are small enough to be manipulated with one hand. Bring this toy with you on car rides or to the grocery store. With so many different ways to twist and turn this device, your child can explore their creativity while calming their mind. Must-know details:- Measures 1.5” x 2” when coiled
- Extends to 7” uncoiled
- Consists of eighteen 1" curved sections
- Brightly colored sections
Kinetic Sand
This is a great option for any child, but especially for neurodivergent kids with autism or ADHD. You can build, mold, sculpt, stack and squish this sand and it does not stick to you like regular sand. The soft, squishy texture is a great form of stress relief and can feel very soothing. You can also buy different kinetic sand sets to accompany this gift.
Beach Fun, Without the Mess
If your child loves playing in the dirt or in the sand at the beach, you can bring that fun (without the mess!) indoors with kinetic sand. This smooth, squishy and moldable sand crumbles between your fingers yet holds its shape rough to allow for sculpting. My two kids love this stuff. I keep it stored in the closet in a large plastic bin and place blankets underneath the bin when my kids want to play with it. It keeps them engaged for a long period of time and the bin keeps the mess (mostly) contained. Must-know details:- Recommended for kids ages 3 and up
- Feels like sand, but holds together and molds like play-dough
- One bag is three pounds of sand
- Cleans up easily and doesn’t try out skin
Squishy Sensory Fidget Spiky Ball
These squishy, spiky balls are fun to squeeze and toddlers will love bouncing them off the ground. Not only do these balls offer a sensory experience, but they also teach cause and effect and can be quite soothing for both autistic kiddos and those with ADHD. Roll the balls back and forth with your child or see who can bounce a ball the highest.
A Roll Lot of Fun
You just might buy these balls for your toddler only to find that you can’t put them down either. These fun and interesting sensory balls are sure to capture the attention of your little one as they experiment with squishing, rolling, and bouncing. The nubbly texture feels soft in your child’s hand and as they squeeze the ball they can feel the rubber stretch. These are great open-ended toys that your child will surely find many new and creative ways to play with. Must-know details:- Each set comes with 4 balls
- Each ball is 4” in size
- Made with highly durable PVC Phthalate-free plastic
- Latex-free and BPA-free
Dimpl Duo
This simple, yet engaging toy not only helps encourage language development but also serves as a sensory toy as well. Toddlers will love running their fingers over the squishy shape buttons and popping them in and out. Plus, this toy is perfect for talking with your toddler about the different shapes and colors and asking questions to promote back and forth conversation.
Try Not to Steal This Toy
All of your kids will love this toy—and adults probably will too! In fact, this engaging sensory toy can also help promote speech and language development with adult interaction. Point out the colors and shapes to your toddler and let them touch the buttons and feel the different sensations on their skin. Talk to them about each shape and color. For example, you could say, “That red circle reminds me of the sun. Where is the sun?” Just a few minutes a day can help your child with language acquisition. Must-know details:- Made with 100% food-grade silicone
- Made with high-quality materials for lasting durability
- Unique tablet feature
- Dimensions: 8.76 x 1.8 x 7.75 inches
Squigz
This open-ended versatile toy comes in many different forms and provides hours of creative play. You can get the original Squigz or variations, like Minisquigz or Pipsquigz. These toys are small suction cups great for stacking and building all sorts of contraptions. Put these in the bath for endless fun or spread them out on the coffee table and let your child use their imagination to come up with various ways to connect them.
Bath Time Learning
These small suction cups provide hours of open-ended fun while promoting fine and gross motor skills. You can even use Squgz to help strengthen balance and coordination by encouraging your child to stick them to a vertical surface while standing on a wobbly surface, like a couch. They’re also great to use in the bath since they are silicone, easy to clean and don’t leave a residue. Plus, the vibrant colors offer visual sensory stimulation, and the “pop” noise the Squigz make when pulled apart is sure to make your little one giggle. Must-know details:- Made with 100% food-grade silicone
- Easy to clean
- BPA free
- Latex-free
Cao Chameleon Bean Bag Toss
This puzzle game is great for kids with down syndrome who often struggle with fine motor skills. Kids can easily grab and toss the large bean bag pieces and the level of difficulty can be adjusted depending on the child.
Don't Toss This Game Out
Help encourage your child’s hand-eye coordination with this bean bag toss game. This game comes with eight numbered and color-coded beanbags kids can toss into the holes. You can make this game harder or easier by moving the target closer or farther away and it’s created for either indoor or outdoor use. Must-know details:- Sturdy metal base
- Made with polyester fabric
- Wipes clean
- Dimensions: 24.5” H x 12.25” W x 20” D
When you click on some of our links, you support our community. To learn more click here.
