Weighted stuffed animal: Weighted toys, like weighted blankets, are great for kids who need calming or soothing. They provide pressure to help wriggly or bouncy legs and can assist with proprioceptive input (knowledge of where your body is in relation to other things).

Wooden knob puzzles and busy boards: These early-stage puzzles provide plenty of tactile input and are a great way of improving fine motor skills.

Dimpl: A Dimpl is a fidget toy that has 5 silicone dimples of various sizes to push in and out. Varies resistance provides tactile feedback and is quiet and durable.

Play piano: Play pianos are great for learning about cause and effect, while providing both auditory and tactile stimulation.

Kinetic (moon) sand is less messy than regular sand and is great for imaginary and tactile play.

Balance beam: Using a balance beam not only improves balance, but also other important skills like crossing the midline (a skill integral to reading) and a knowledge of where the body is relative to the environment.

Textured balls: These balls are inexpensive and give plenty of tactile feedback.

Balance boards: Balance boards and other balance toys are fun, provide motor stimulation, and strengthen core muscles.

Yoga ball: Yoga balls are great for core strength and can be used in so many ways.

Mini trampoline: Mini trampolines don’t take up too much space but are great for burning off excess energy and give tons of sensory input.

Fidgets: It may take a bit if trial and error, but finding the right fidget can be a great help for some kids.

Ball pits: Not only are ball pits fun, they also provide lots of deep pressure stimulus, which for most kids has a calming effect.

Climbing pegs: When attached to a swing set or low wall, climbing pegs can be great for kids who love climbing and navigating obstacles.

Pin Art: The ability to capture 3D images makes the sturdy, tactile toy ideal for creative kids.

Sand trays: Sand trays are an inexpensive but effective way for sensory learners to explore letter formation.

Art sets: Art allows for freedom of expression without the restraints of rules.

Motion lamps or lava lamps: These are great gifts for children who like color and movement.

Spinning tops: Spinning tops are great for kids of all ages who love visual stimulation and have the added benefit of improving fine motor skills

Weighted toys, lap pads, or blankets: Weighted blankets and toys are not only great for calming but have also been shown to assist with managing conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, and chronic pain.

Therapy putty: Therapy grade putty is long lasting, thick, and hard to pull. It is great for calming and gives plenty of proprioceptive and tactile input.

Cocoon swings and sensory tents provide a refuge when thing become overwhelming. They are a safe, calming space.

Rain tube: The soothing sounds made by a rain tube are calming, while the colors are visually appealing. The tube can be used effectively as a diversion from a meltdown and encourages self-soothing.

Chewelry (or chewable jewelry) items are great for kids who love to chew their cuffs, pencils, hoodie tags, toys, etc. They come in the form of necklaces, pencil toppers, and hoodie lace ends. (It’s important to remember though that these items are not indestructible and care should be taken when selecting the appropriate item).

Chew bracelets: Made from non-toxic silicone, these bracelets are designed with moms who have babies that love to chew on their jewelry in mind.

Chewy tubes are a resilient, non-food surface used to distract children who chew on items like clothing.

Super Chews and super chew noodles are great for aggressive chewers. They are heavy duty, with a textured design that gives plenty of sensory input while being durable and solid.

Easel with storage: All art supplies in one place with a sturdy easel ready for creating.

Building blocks: Whether plastic (like Lego) or foam, building blocks are great for non-verbal playtime.

Peg Boards: Shape and color peg boards provide tactile stimulation and teach about patterns and colors.

Conversation or flash cards: These cards give children the opportunity to practice their communication skills.

Sign language letter flash cards. Non-verbal kids might find communicating in sign language helpful. These cards are a good starting point.

Rubik’s cubes and other brain teasers. These puzzles and brain teasers provide great visual stimulation and are intellectually challenging.

Charades: Charades allow your non-verbal child to express himself physically.

Old Maid: Old Maid does not require the same language, memory, or player perspective required in many other games. This game gives children a good chance to practice social skills (such as taking turns) with peers.

Feelings Flash Cards: These cards let kids learn to identify and name the different emotions and practice their own emotional responses.

Counting and sorting games: There are games specifically for sorting and counting, but you can also create your own sorting and counting game with colored discs, building blocks, or beads.

Texture boxes: You can either buy a box of texture squares or create your own. Kids learn to identify different textures and interact with a variety of different “feels.”

Legos or any other building blocks are a wonderful toy or game because there are no rules and kids are free to build what they like. There is no right or wrong way to build. Sets that require specific construction may prove frustrating.

Memory: Any memory games can be great for kids who are strong with visual memory. If a child has poor memory skill or difficulty with special awareness (knowing where things are in relation to one another), memory games might be frustrating, but are nevertheless a great tool for developing this skill. The game can be adapted by using fewer cards and increasing numbers of pairs gradually.

Sensory Detective: For this game, use items you have at home (small toys, beads, dried beans, rice, or wheat) and place them in a deep bucket. Make sure the toys are buried properly among the beads, beans, rice, or wheat. The child needs to close their eyes and retrieve the toys in the order you ask for them.

Hopscotch: All you need for a great game of hopscotch is a flat piece of tarmac or paving, chalk, and small objects like stones. Hopscotch is great for improving coordination, muscle tone, and for social interaction.

Scavenger hunts: With a few chocolate bars (or other treats), balloons, inexpensive toys, box of crayons you can create a scavenger hunt that is age appropriate. Children can be directed to find items in a specific order and then to return them to a sorting point to be categorized.