Super sensory gift guide

Sensory toys are brilliant for our kids. They are a way of exploring and interacting with their environment.  With two of our three kids on the autistic spectrum, sensory toys are a must have at Christmas, but all kids would benefit from them and probably like them too. As our David is pre-verbal, it's not always easy to ask what he wants, but I've come up with a few plans.  Here's my latest selection of sensory stuff I've found to give you some ideas.

1. Finding Dory Super Sand 

Super sand feels like a cross between kinetic sand and playdoh. It's squishy, soft, and easily separated and moulded.  This pack comes with slightly tricky to do, but easily recognisable Finding Dory moulds including Dory, Nemo and a sea anemone.  It also has tool to make wave shapes in the sand. Our lot love things like playing with dough and David is constantly playing with the caster sugar during baking so I know this will be a great hit with them.  

2. Textured Ball Set

A textured ball set is perfect for helping to develop dexterity and gross motor skills in your little one.  David loves textured items and he'll roll the balls in his hands and even likes to press them under his feet.  They make playing catch or rolling the ball to each other loads more fun - you never know exactly what path they will take along the floor.

3. LED Party Light Bulb

Lights are always popular with our autistic boys.  And while they may find the lights fun or even calming, Jane will be desperate to turn our lounge into a disco with this LED Party Bulb.  It's just a bit bigger than a normal light bulb and easy to fit into a standard bayonet fitting.  Once the light is switched on at the wall, or on the lamp, the top part spins with flashing, multi-coloured LED lights. Ten times easier and more fun than fitting a disco ball, it's going to be a big hit with all the kids.

4. Bop Gloves

One of the, often considered, strange sensory habits my boys have is rough and tumble play.  It's actually really common in many kids with autism to enjoy the squeezing and smashing into each other that my lot do.  It's fair to say we've had the odd injury but the truth is that their sensory system really benefits from this type of play.  Enter these Bop Gloves, which are inflatable boxing gloves. Once I've covered sharp corners, these pop-onto-your-hand inflatables are soft and safe, perfect to ensure my boys have friendly(er) battles!

5. Team Fidget Spinner

Lastly, is the stocking filler favourite! Many kids with autism or ADHD can benefit from a fidget toy.  Fidget Spinners have been very popular this year and if you've got a kiddie into football you can grab one in their team colours.

Have you seen any great sensory gifts really - let me know I'd love to hear about them!

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This post was part of the Christmas #sdfiverchallenge. As always all opinions are my own.