35 Calming Sensory Toys for Autism, SPD & ADHD (2024)
Every home and classroom needs a calming corner for kids to unwind and calm down.
But you also need to have the right tools in your toolbox.
Here are the best calming sensory toys for calm-down areas in your toddler room or classroom.
1. Blackout Sensory Tent
A blackout sensory tent blocks out light and all visual noise, helping kids feel safe and focused. The dark, quiet environment reduces stress and overstimulation. It’s a cozy, private hideaway that promotes calm and comfort.
2. Liquid Sensory Floor Tiles
Liquid sensory tiles have a fun liquid gel inside that reacts to pressure. It’s perfect for jumping play because it relieves stress and creates mesmerizing movements inside the tile.
3. Textured Sensory Floor Mats
Textured sensory mats have different textures, like ridges, bumps, or soft waves, providing gentle sensory stimulation. This tactile input soothes the nervous system and is especially calming for sensory seekers.
4. Weighted Blanket
A weighted blanket offers deep pressure stimulation. The added weight distributes evenly over the body, triggering a relaxation response and promoting a sense of security and calmness.
5. Therapeutic Body Sock
A Therapeutic Body Sock provides deep pressure and a cozy, hug-like feeling. The snug fit and stretchy fabric gently wrap around the body, giving a comforting sensation. This pressure helps to relax muscles and calm the nervous system, making you feel more grounded and secure.
6. Compression Vest
A Compression Vest applies gentle pressure to the body, like a reassuring hug. This deep pressure can help relax muscles and reduce feelings of anxiety or overwhelm. The snug fit and breathable material provides comfort and a sense of security, promoting relaxation and focus.
7. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones block out distracting sounds, creating a quieter environment. This helps reduce stress and allows for better concentration or relaxation. The technology inside the headphones actively cancels out background noise, leaving a peaceful space around you.
8. Sensory Swing
A sensory swing provides a gentle, rhythmic motion that soothes the body and mind. The swinging motion promotes relaxation and can help reduce feelings of anxiety or stress. It also stimulates the vestibular system, which contributes to balance and spatial awareness.
9. Fidget Spinner
A fidget spinner offers a repetitive motion that can help reduce anxiety and increase focus. Spinning the device provides sensory stimulation and a tactile experience that can be soothing. The rhythmic movement engages the hands and distracts the mind.
10. Chewable Jewelry
Chewable jewelry provides a safe and discreet way to satisfy the need to chew or fidget. By chewing on the jewelry, users can release nervous energy and stay focused. It’s designed to be chewed on safely so it doesn’t break.
11. Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand is calming because its soft texture molds easily and holds shapes, providing a relaxing tactile experience. The sand flows smoothly through the fingers, offering sensory stimulation that can reduce stress and anxiety.
12. Squishy Stress Balls
Squishy stress balls provide a satisfying tactile experience. Squeezing the soft, pliable material helps release tension and reduce stress levels. The repetitive squeezing motion can also promote relaxation by engaging hand muscles and distracting the mind from anxious thoughts.
13. Sensory Glitter Jar
A Calming Glitter Jar is soothing because watching the glitter slowly settle helps quiet the mind. The gentle motion promotes relaxation and helps manage stress by creating a peaceful moment of focus.
14. Soft Plush Toys
Soft plush toys are calming because their fluffy texture provides comfort and a sense of security. Hugging or stroking them releases feel-good hormones, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. They offer emotional support and a comforting presence.
15. Tangle Toy
A Tangle toy has a flexible design that allows for soothing, repetitive movements. Twisting and shaping it engages the hands and distracts the mind, promoting relaxation and reducing stress effectively.
16. Bubble Tube
A bubble tube creates a mesmerizing visual experience with its flowing bubbles and changing colors. Watching the bubbles rise and hearing the soft hum of the pump can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
17. Fiber Optic Lamp
A fiber optic lamp creates a gentle, mesmerizing light display. The soft, colorful fibers change and shimmer, offering soothing visual stimulation. Watching the gentle movements provides a peaceful atmosphere.
18. Lava Lamp
A lava lamp has a slow, rhythmic movement of colorful wax blobs floating inside the liquid. Watching these blobs rise and fall can be mesmerizing, promoting relaxation and reducing stress by creating a soothing visual experience.
19. Gel Bead Sensory Ball
A gel bead sensory ball has a soft, squishy texture that provides a satisfying tactile experience. Squeezing and manipulating the ball can help release tension and reduce stress.
20. Therapy Putty
Therapy putty is calming because its soft, pliable texture engages the hands and distracts the mind. Stretching and molding the putty helps relieve stress and improve focus, making it a therapeutic tool for relaxation.
21. Bean Bag Chair
A bean bag chair molds to your body, providing a comfortable and supportive seat. Its soft fabric and relaxed shape create a cozy place to sit and play.
22. Weighted Lap Pad
A weighted lap pad provides gentle pressure that can be calming and grounding. The evenly distributed weight helps promote a sense of security and relaxation. Placing it on your lap during activities or moments of rest can help reduce restlessness.
23. Finger Fidgets
Finger fidgets offer a calming way to occupy restless hands. Their compact size and tactile design encourage repetitive motions that can help reduce stress and increase concentration.
24. Liquid Motion Bubbler
A liquid motion bubbler creates a mesmerizing visual display with its slow-moving liquid and floating bubbles. Watching the bubbles glide through the colorful liquid can help relax the mind and reduce stress.
25. Sensory Bottle
A weighted blanket offers deep pressure that promotes relaxation and a sense of security. It’s draped over the body, providing a comforting hug-like feeling that can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.
26. Weighted Plush Toy
A weighted plush toy provides comforting, gentle pressure that soothes and calms. Holding or cuddling the plush releases tension and offers a reassuring sensory experience.
27. Vibrating Sensory Toy
A vibrating kids’ sensory toy provides calming vibrations that soothe the senses. Holding or using it against the body offers gentle stimulation, promoting relaxation and reducing stress effectively.
28. Glow Sticks
Glow sticks offer a calming visual experience with their soft, glowing light. Watching the colors flow and change can create a relaxing atmosphere.
29. Pin Art Board
A pin art board offers a calming experience through tactile exploration. By pressing objects into the grid of pins, it allows users to create 3D impressions that engage the senses and promote relaxation.
30. Marble Maze Fidget
A marble maze fidget provides a calming tactile experience with its maze-like structure and smooth, rolling marbles. Guiding the marbles through the maze engages the hands and distracts the mind.
31. Sensory Pillow
A sensory pillow has soft textures and gentle support for a comforting tactile experience. It provides soothing sensations when hugged or leaned on, helping to calm and relax users.
32. Sand Timer
A sand timer features sand flowing slowly from one chamber to another, creating a calming visual display. Watching the grains move has a mesmerizing effect.
33. Stress Relief Dough
Stress relief dough provides a pliable texture that soothes and relaxes. Kneading and shaping the dough engages the hands and relieves tension.
34. Water Beads
Water beads have a soft, gel-like texture that swells when soaked in water. They are used for tactile play and can be soothing to handle.
35. Sensory Socks
Sensory socks offer a calming experience with their snug, gentle compression. They provide a comforting hug-like feeling around the feet and legs.