The Best Sensory Toys For Kids - 2021
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Our Picks For The Top Sensory Toys For Kids
Fun to Twist and ConnectThese tubes offer tactile stimulation as well as auditory feedback.
Rotating Light ShowThis toy's spinning lights create a stunning and mesmerizing effect.
Five Different TexturesThese sensory discs come in two sizes and have five different textures.
Great Stress RelieverThis sensory toy for kids and adults calms you down when you’re feeling anxious.
Engaging in sensory play is a great way for kids to relax and focus. Unlike regular toys, sensory toys appeal to specific sensory systems and help children to regulate their senses. Whether it’s a unique texture on their fingers or a specific sound they can repeat over and over again, sensory toys offer a soothing and calming experience.
It’s important to note that there are seven sensory systems, not to be confused with the five senses (though there is some overlap). Also, each sensory system has overlap with others, so it’s best to look for toys that appeal to multiple sensory systems.
Proprioception is the sensory system that is about where our body is in relation to other things. Vestibular is the sense of balance and movement. The tactile sensory system is related to one’s sense of touch and what we can feel on our skin. Vision is about what we can see, while hearing is our auditory sensory system. Smell, as the name suggests, is the olfactory system. Lastly, the taste sensory system is the perception of how liquids, foods and other objects feel and taste in the mouth.
The Best Sensory Toys For Kids
BunMo XL Pop Tubes Sensory Toys, 4-Pack
This sensory toy appeals to both the tactile and auditory sensory systems. The tubes are fun to twist, and they make a satisfying popping sound. They can be connected together to make a large tube.
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IPIDIPI Toys Spinning Light-Up Tornado Wand For Kids
This light-up wand creates a mesmerizing rotating light show. The LED lights can illuminate a room. The toy appeals to the visual sensory system, delighting kids and adults.
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TickiT Silishapes Sensory Circles, 10-Pack
Kids will love touching these sensory discs with their hands and feet. They come in two different sizes with five textures each. In addition to appealing to the tactile sensory system, they help aid language development and communication.
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Mo-Beauty Silicone Push Pop Bubble Fidget Sensory Toy
This sensory toy is an excellent stress reliever and appeals to the tactile and hearing sensory systems. You simply push down the bubbles, which produces a satisfying popping noise. This toy is durable and easy to transport.
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LESONG Sensory Water Beads Toy, 6-Pack
Kids can touch these sensory water beads to help relax. They are also the perfect size for a bean bag toss, which is great for burning off energy and keeping kids busy for hours.
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Our Sensory Toy For Kids Buying Guide
Engaging in sensory play is a great way for kids to relax and focus. Unlike regular toys, sensory toys appeal to specific sensory systems and help children to regulate their senses. Whether it’s a unique texture on their fingers or a specific sound they can repeat over and over again, sensory toys offer a soothing and calming experience.
It’s important to note that there are seven sensory systems, not to be confused with the five senses (though there is some overlap). Also, each sensory system has overlap with others, so it’s best to look for toys that appeal to multiple sensory systems.
Proprioception is the sensory system that is about where our body is in relation to other things. Vestibular is the sense of balance and movement. The tactile sensory system is related to one’s sense of touch and what we can feel on our skin. Vision is about what we can see, while hearing is our auditory sensory system. Smell, as the name suggests, is the olfactory system. Lastly, the taste sensory system is the perception of how liquids, foods and other objects feel and taste in the mouth.
DWYM Fun Fact
An effective way to organize your kids’ sensory toys is to categorize them by the sensory system they affect. For example, have a bin for tactile sensory toys that are all related to how something feels in your child’s hand. Then, reserve another bin for toys that affect smell, like scented markers. This way, you can easily access specific sensory toys based on the sensory system you need to target in the moment. Keep in mind that many sensory toys will target multiple sensory systems at once, so there will be some crossover.
The Sensory Toy For Kids Tips and Advice
- When looking for sensory toys for kids, consider the types of activities your child seeks out — and which activities they avoid. This will help you determine what kind of sensory toy they’re most likely to enjoy. For example, does your child love jumping up and down on the furniture and have a difficult time containing their energy, or do they find it difficult to concentrate at daycare because there are too many visual and auditory things happening at once? Knowing which senses the toys can help focus will help you determine what kind of sensory toy your child needs.
- In addition to the seven sensory systems, some also consider interoception an important element to note. This is about understanding how the body is feeling and what it needs. For example, is the body hungry or thirsty? Does it feel tired? Is the body in pain? Toys that enable children to focus on their interoception skills can help kids learn how to identify what their bodies need in the moment.
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About The Author
Anam Ahmed is a copywriter and essayist based in Toronto. She has been writing on technology, travel, parenting, and business for over 10 years, and works with a number of high-profile organizations. She values finding the best products to make people's lives easier. Anam earned an M.A. from the University of Toronto and a B.A.H. from Queen's University. Learn more at www.anamahmed.ca.