The Best Sensory Toys of 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the safest toy in the world? ›

Plush Toys

Plushies are a timeless choice. They're soft, fluffy, and huggable, making them the safest toy choice for children and toddlers. Soft toys vary in designs, shapes, and sizes. There is a perfect plush toy just waiting for every child, even for picky children.

Creative toys like art supplies will encourage these skills, soon to blossom into fledgling artworks. “At this age, children like to scribble because they are starting to grasp things and want to test their fine motor skills,” says Hill. "This is a great age for sensory play and exploration," says Schwartz.

Stimulation tools to ease anxiety

Fidget toys are colorful, handheld devices that users rotate between their fingers. While playing with the device, users can focus their mental energy into the task, potentially dispelling pent up anxious energy to avoid becoming distracted from it.

Fidgets act as a self-regulation tool that helps promote one's ability to focus and manage anxiety while also providing a safe way for one to calm nerves, reduce ADHD symptoms, as well as provide comfort or relaxation in situations where one may need extra support.

Model Building. Model building can be a great hobby for children with autism. It provides an opportunity for them to improve their fine motor skills, attention to detail, and creativity. Model building involves assembling small replicas of cars, planes, ships, or buildings using plastic or metal pieces.

Use calming sensory tools: Provide your child with sensory tools such as fidget toys, weighted blankets, or noise-cancelling headphones. These tools can help regulate their nervous system and provide comfort. Stick to routines: Children with autism often thrive on routine and predictability.

Find sensory tools that can comfort a child at times of stress. These may include squeezy toys, weighted blankets, a calming video or book, a swing set, or even a pet. If a meltdown occurs, allow your child the time and space to calm themselves down and learn to self-regulate.

Lego (stylized LEGO, a portmanteau of “leg godt,” meaning play well in Danish and in a happy coincidence also to gather or collect in Latin) has been named the greatest toy of all time by industry professionals and cited as the most influential toy of all time by historians and experts.

What is the golden age of toddlers? ›

Children from birth to six years of age experience a golden period, where they are highly receptive to various types of stimuli. During this sensitive period, children's physical and psychological functions mature, and they are better able to respond to the environment.

While most 13-year-olds have given up their childhood toys, they still play with their friends in a variety of ways. From slumber parties and camping out in the backyard to board games and sports activities, most 13-year-olds want to be active with their friends.

As an approximate guide, try to keep the number of toys immediately available to under 4 for a premobile child, under 8 for a crawling child, and under 12 for a toddler, depending on the size of the space and number of parts to each toy. A set of stacking cups or a basket of duplo blocks counts as one toy by this rule.

Look for toys that engage multiple senses simultaneously. For example, a textured ball that makes gentle sounds as it rolls enhances both tactile and auditory senses. Multi-sensory toys promote holistic development and provide a more enriching play experience.

A fidget toy is a small, handheld object that a person can fiddle with to provide an outlet for restless energy and nervousness. These toys may improve concentration, reduce stress, and provide sensory stimulation, particularly in people with difficulty focusing.

Sensory devices provide a host of mental, emotional, physical, and social benefits for children on the autism spectrum. They stimulate the brain, helping to create new neural pathways for processing, understanding, and reacting to sensory information. They help autistic children to: Calm down and relax.