Dear Melissa,
Christmas is approaching. Do you have any FUN sensory toy ideas for my 4 year old grandson with Autism?
I love the Holiday Season! Eleven months of the year, I try to make my recommendations to parents
as cheap as possible. I love to try to “make due”, get creative, and make
equipment with what people might already have on hand. But…when Christmas or a Birthday is
approaching, I love to share ideas about sensory therapy toys that may be a little
pricy to purchase “just because”, but may be worth splurging on if wrapped up
with a shiny bow.
The items I have recommended are NOT “therapy equipment”. They
are TOYS! Yes, each and every one serves
a specific therapeutic purpose. However,
each of the items was selected because they are simply FUN! Whether your child has sensory processing
difficulties or not, many children would love receiving the items below under the
tree!
Christmas Gift Ideas for Children with Autism
I have taken a Twelve days of Christmas approach in recommending the 12 items below.
1. A Mini
Trampoline ($50)
A mini trampoline is my #1 go-to for sensory input. They can slide under a bed perfectly, so
they don’t take up much space and are WAY less dangerous than a standard
trampoline. (I do not recommend standard
trampolines. Even with nets and other safety precautions, they just are not safe for
the little sensory seeker!)
2. Tent ($30)
Throw in a few old pillows, bean bags, or blankets and you have the perfect “positive time out” space. Tents can be fantastic for calming. They are great for pretend play, and combine with a bucket of fidget toys and your child with have the ultimate calming retreat.
3. Hippity hop ($25)
I love these things! Kids can gain some strong vestibular and proprioceptive input from bouncing on hippity hop balls. In addition, it provides strong exercise which helps with attention to task as well as provides a good cardio workout.
4. Scooter board ($20)
Find a hallway, grab some empty 2 liter bottles and go kiddo bowling with a scooter board! Whether sitting on the board or laying on their tummies on the board, kids again can gain a great cardio workout as well as gain sensory input from one relatively inexpensive item.
5. Body sock ($40)
Kids love the compression from a body sock's stretchy fabric! It can be used passively while snuggling up and watching a movie, or can be used more actively around the house while pretending to be monsters.
6. Vibrating animal massager ($10)
I will be honest, my son asks for one of these every time we see one. Kids tend to either gravitate toward or avoid vibration greatly. If your youngster is one who loves to put his hand on the clothes dryer or chew on a vibrating toothbrush, then a vibrating animal massager is a must have gift!
7. Gel water scene ($40)
Ok, ok. This is one that I had given to me, handmade, by a loving intern. She used hair gel and a zip lock baggie. And my homemade one IS super cool, but as someone who is obsessed with sea creatures…this one is WAY cool! Let your future creature-explorer enjoy this gel water scene with its captivating sensory world. It also works as a wonderfully quiet hand fidget.
8. Doorway
Swings ($230 each)
The doorway swing pictured comes with the doorway bar, sling swing, and
trapeze bar. It is listed as appropriate
for ages 3-10 years of age.
9. Crash Pads
($175 each)
This crash pad is huge at 5 feet
x 5 feet and is perfect for jumping, crashing, cuddling, and even napping. Perfect for the little “crasher” in your life
who may not be safe with a mini trampoline.
10. Hammock ($150)
OK, so I don’t really think of hammocks in the winter either, but you
will be glad you have it come spring. Even better that you can crawl in the hammock with your little one and
enjoy a good snuggle together!
11. Bubble
light tube ($110)
At Children's Therapy TEAM our bubble light tube is probably
the most popular items in the clinic! The
one I have linked to is a large 3ft floor model, but you can gain similar
effects with much cheaper lava lamps. Fantastic for calming your wound up child!
12. Office Chair ($125)
This may seem like an odd choice, but spinning provides strong vestibular input that so many children crave, and it also provides a comfy place for you to get work done too. Win, Win! The prices are really all over the place for an office chair, the one pictured is just an example, but you definitely want one with arms. Feel free to hunt around for the one that looks best to you.
