Toys For 4 Year Olds With Autism – The best sensory toys for occupational therapists. Perfect for toddlers, autistic children, toddlers and sensory issues as sensory toys help develop children’s learning, communication and emotional regulation!
Sensory toys have the power to decide bedtime, dinner, or a dentist appointment! As magical as it sounds, sensory toys are an incredible toy for any child, and even more so for children with Sensory Processing Disorder, any sensory issue, ADHD, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with real science.
Toys For 4 Year Olds With Autism
Just like when my son cuddled me every day in preschool, a stress ball he kept in his pocket calmed his mind and he was able to go to preschool without worry.
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Or, he doesn’t have to jump out of his chair every three seconds when he bounces on a big green yoga ball in our living room before dinner.
Or, when my oldest son covered his bare arms, hands and stomach in finger paint at 13 months it helped develop his ability to eat and explore different textures in a fun way. As an occupational therapist, I know this sensory play and sensory stimulation toys have a huge impact on their brains!
Sensory toys have the power to surprise because they do two things. First, they stimulate children’s emotions. That stimulation takes place in the brain and is closely related to many other skills your child needs to develop into a fully functioning adult. I’m talking fine motor skills like writing, cutting and zipping their coats.
Or gross motor skills like jumping, climbing stairs or riding a bike. Stimulating our senses can even affect how our children read!
Toys For Children With Special Needs
Second, sensory toys help children get the sensations they want. For example, my son likes to climb the stair railing, which is quite dangerous and I’m not sure if the railing can hold it before it breaks. I found him wanting to have this physical input, but I couldn’t let him continue. However, a sensory toy can give children the same sensations they are trying to create for themselves in a safe way!
Because when our kids are busy trying to achieve the sensations they enjoy, it distracts their brain from everything it needs to do.
That’s why when children get the sensations they need through sensory activities and toys, it helps them do everything they want.
Learn 3 expert secrets (from an OT and me as a mom) to help your baby stay calm and focused on specific sensory activities! Get a free location and some great printables here.
Does My Child Have Autism?
In general, sensory toys are useful for all children, but if your child has sensory needs, you will want to think about what the sensory toy does and whether it will be a sensory experience for your child. For example, does your child like…
Anything you answer yes to is a clue to what your child is using and benefiting from. In fact, some children have sensory sensitivities, and slowly encouraging them to use sensory toys as tools that help them move, feel differently or make sounds can help them sense their emotions and create a sense of well-being, safety and regulation.
If you want to give your child the best possible sensory toys to help them develop, any of these toys would be a good place to start. One word of caution, however, is to never force your child to use a particular sensory toy.
The emotions your child experiences happen in their brain, and the moon sand you think is no big deal when you touch it can make your child feel completely silly, even uncomfortable. That doesn’t mean you have to give it to the kid next door, instead, take it slow to help them relax! As an occupational therapist and mom, here are some of my favorite sensory toys for well-rounded development:
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#1: Stepping Stone – I am ordering these for my kids this year. It’s been on my to-do list for a long time. Perfect for developing balance and creativity.
#2. Kinetic Sand – Less messy than regular sand, this set inspires the imagination and provides plenty of stimulation for the tactile senses!
#3. Balance Board – This sensory toy not only improves balance, but also strengthens core muscles that many children need.
#4. Colorful Spinning Tops- These sensory toys provide visual and tactile input as you spin them, while you work to strengthen fine motor skills.
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#5. Balance Beam – In addition to balance, every time your child figures out how to move here, they are also doing a high level of mental content. They must shift their weight and continuously cross the midline of their body. If it sounds technical, know that this is great for their development!
#6. Sensory bins – I’m obsessed with sensory bins and don’t think they’re just for toddlers, as older kids can still join in on the fun. In addition to getting lots of tactical input, you can hide to find puzzle pieces and hidden objects. To make it more challenging, ask them to close their eyes while looking for buried treasure!
The best part is that you can make these very inexpensively and fill any empty container with tons of different materials to give your child a great sensory toy. Learn more about setting up your sensor bin.
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These sensory toys are a bit more of an investment and provide a lot of sensory input, which is why they are listed in this category. However, this does not mean that any child will not enjoy or benefit from them, because they will! I have several of these toys and none of my children have or need to be diagnosed. And guess what, those are their favorite things in our house!
However, for children with autism, SPD or other special needs, these sensory toys can be used every day.
#7. Stage Swing – This swing helps improve sensory processing as it stimulates the brain through specific movement patterns. And, if your child has ever attended occupational therapy, you’ve probably seen it. This budget-friendly version can be hung from a swing in your home or outside.
#8. Ball pits – besides being a lot of fun, also bring a lot of pressure. Remember, for most kids, that means calm down!
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#9. Snuggle Pod Canoe – If you have a child who loves to cuddle and enjoys tight spaces, this might be what you’re looking for. It can be used not only for leisure but also for homework or other difficult activities.
#दशा Rody the Bouncy Horse – I have a crush on Rody! We have been together for 6 years and he is a healthy little horse. This guy is perfect for blowing up and expending a lot of energy!
#11. Weighted Blankets – Perfect for sleeping or lounging, weighted blankets can be a useful sensory toy if your child likes to lie under the blanket. It’s a game changer for some kids.
#Twelfth. Rocking Chair – If your child likes to rock and roll, this is a great alternative seat for them. They are so small that they can be easily stored.
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#13. Climbing – If you have climbers, you might consider adding some climbing poles to your swing set or the walls of your home! Seriously people, let’s do this. How cool would that be?
#14. Body Sock – These strange looking accessories are actually very simple. Let your child move in and stretch their arms and legs. They feel the fabric pulling back and get deep pressure.
#15. Crash Pad – This is a simple sensory toy but you can use it seriously. I made one for each of my kids, essentially a big pillow with lots of foam and pillow stuffing. Lying on them is great, but sensation seekers like to jump on them. This provides a fairly safe landing for jumping from the top of the bench.
Most of the above sensory toys can be used for toddlers and babies, but not all. This list is perfect for babies and toddlers to explore:
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#16. Infantino Patterned Ball – My youngest son had these and loved them as a baby and toddler. Bonus, they’re super cheap!
#17. Busy panel – pull, click, drag, feel and listen! A busy board has plenty for a baby or toddler to explore and it will keep them busy for a few minutes. If you are a DIY person, you can come here to do it yourself.
#18. Egg Shakers – Babies and toddlers will love getting a response to their movements as they shake these eggs. They are small enough to fit even the smallest of hands!
#19.
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