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The Importance of Sensory Products
Sensory products and sensory toys are specially designed to stimulate one or more of the senses. For children with autism, these items can help them process sensory information more effectively. Many children with autism experience sensory processing issues, where their brains struggle to receive and respond to information coming through the senses. This can lead to overstimulation, anxiety, or even a complete shutdown.
Introducing sensory toys into your child’s life can make a world of difference. They provide a safe and controlled way for children to explore their senses, helping to build their cognitive abilities, fine motor skills, and even social interactions.
Plus, they can be just plain fun, offering moments of joy and connection between you and your child.... So, read on to see our Top 20 picks for you!
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Weighted blankets are more than just cozy coverings; they are a source of profound comfort, security and calm for children with autism. The gentle, evenly distributed weight of a weighted blanket provides a deep pressure touch sensation, which can be incredibly soothing for children with autism.
They often help those with autism and associated sensory processing disorder by providing soothing sensory input. The extra weight can help to relieve anxiety and stress, also aiding in a better night sleep.
Available in different sizes, colours and weights to suits your childs age. View our entire weighted products section here
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Discover the Tangle Palm, a twisty inspiration that fits right in your palm! Explore the features of this engaging fidget and learning tool:
Fidget Fun: The Tangle Palm, a larger version of the Tangle Jr, offers endless fidgeting fun for all ages. Twist, turn, and manipulate this palm-sized sensory tool.
Skill Enhancement: Enhances fine motor skills and is beneficial for hand and wrist therapy, making it a valuable tool for both play and rehabilitation.
Stress Relief: Calms anxiety and relaxes the mind, providing a soothing sensory experience to help alleviate stress.
Form Healthy Habits: Perfect for keeping hands busy and promoting healthier habits by redirecting fidgeting energy.
To view our full range of fun and wonderful fidget toys click here
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Protect little ears in ANY environment with these high quality, industrial grade hearing protection ear defenders, designed especially for little ears ages 6 months to mid-teen. Size adjustable headband and extendable metal arms allow the ear defenders to grow with your child. They fold up to fit in the palm of your hand, making them easy to carry with you, or store away. Made to last, they are tough enough to keep up with the busiest little adventurer.
Plus, they come in a variety of different colours to suit your child's preference!
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Bubble tubes are a popular sensory tool often used to help children with autism. These tall, cylindrical tubes are filled with water, bubbles and plastic fish, accompanied by vibrant colours and gentle lighting effects. They are more than just a visually appealing decoration; they serve a crucial role in sensory rooms and therapeutic settings, offering a range of benefits to children with sensory processing challenges.
Many children with autism experience sensory overload, which can lead to anxiety or meltdowns. The calming effect of a bubble tube, with its soft lights and gentle bubbling sound, can provide a peaceful escape from overwhelming stimuli.
By providing visual stimulation, promoting focus, and offering a calming effect, bubble tubes can help create a supportive environment where children feel safe and at ease.
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One of our most popular projectors for children with autism is 'The Laser Twilight Projector' - it will fill any dark space with a super sharp spectacle of animated stars and cloud formations using Green Laser and Holographic Technology. This projector transforms the largest or smallest rooms into your own personal universe, creating thousands of stars with or without cloud formations.
A laser twilight projector is more than just a cool gadget - it’s a therapeutic tool that can provide significant benefits to children with autism. By creating a calming, star-filled environment, it helps reduce anxiety, promotes relaxation, and supports a peaceful bedtime routine.
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Warmies are fully heatable soft toys that can be heated in a microwave to provide hours of soothing warmth and comfort.
These luxuriously soft plush designs are gently scented with relaxing lavender and can be reheated time and time again. Warmies are weighted, warming, scented and super cuddly, making them an ideal gift, especially for children with autism.
Warmies are more than just a cuddly toy; they are a multi-sensory tool designed to provide warmth, comfort, and relaxation. For children with autism, the soothing warmth and calming lavender scent can help reduce anxiety, promote better sleep, and provide a sense of security.
Plus, they're available in a variety of different animals to suit your child's preference! From Unicorns to Penguins, Snow Leopards to Sheep - the choice is theirs!
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7. Rainbow Activity Wall Panel
Transform any space into a vibrant learning playground with our Rainbow Activity Wall Panel. This wooden activity wall toy consists of five sections, each brimming with a diverse set of manipulative activities. These panels are designed to stimulate hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills in children.
Each of the five sections offers a unique set of activities, including interlocking gears, spinning weather wheels, shape matching, xylophone and mirrors, and a wire bead maze!
These panels encourage hands-on learning, problem-solving, and language development, making them an ideal tool for individual or collaborative play for children with autism.
Other designs are also available here
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Liquid Motion Timers are captivating visual tools that can be incredibly beneficial for children with autism. These timers, filled with colourful liquids that slowly drip and flow from one compartment to another, provide a calming visual experience that can help children manage stress, anxiety, and sensory overload.
Liquid Motion Timers are more than just a visual toy; they are a powerful sensory tool that can provide significant benefits for children with autism.
By offering gentle visual stimulation, promoting focus, and encouraging relaxation, these timers can help children manage their sensory needs and reduce anxiety.
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The Chewbuddy Range has been developed for those who seek oral sensory feedback. Combining the best in safety and hygiene with various textures, levels of hardness, and shapes, these chews are ideal for diverse needs.
Sensory chew aids are specially designed tools that provide oral sensory input, which can be incredibly beneficial for children with autism. These aids come in various shapes, sizes, and textures, and are made from safe, non-toxic materials that are durable enough to withstand frequent chewing. Sensory chew aids offer a simple yet effective way to help children manage their sensory needs, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.
Available in various shapes, sizes, colours and styles here
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Spinning is a natural and instinctive behaviour that many children with autism are drawn to. For these children, spinning isn’t just a fun activity; it’s a powerful tool for sensory regulation. The rhythmic, repetitive motion of spinning can provide a deep sense of calm and focus, helping children navigate a world that often feels overwhelming and chaotic.
Children will be recruiting core muscles as they discover how to coordinate their hands and arms in order to manoeuvre themselves around the central post, providing a sense of achievement and fun as they make themselves go around faster. However, they are always in control of their speed as the Whizzy Dizzy will only spin as fast as they are pulling on the wheel.
By embracing and supporting spinning as a sensory regulation tool, we can help children with autism navigate their world with a little more peace, a little more joy, and a lot more confidence.
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11. Bean Bag with Sensory Touch Tags
There’s something deeply personal about a child’s favourite touch tag bean bag. It becomes more than just a bean bag - it’s a trusted companion, a source of comfort during difficult times, and a bridge to sensory regulation.
The act of rubbing, squeezing, or simply holding these textured tags can help a child regain control when their emotions start to spiral. The repetitive, predictable nature of touching these tags can bring a sense of order and predictability to their day, helping to reduce anxiety and prevent sensory overload.
For a child who may feel overwhelmed by the world around them, these bean bags offer a safe haven of sensory relief, helping them to regulate their emotions and find peace in the simplest of touches.
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Light-up sensory toys are not just visually captivating; they are a source of wonder, comfort, and regulation for children with autism. In a world where sensory experiences can often feel overwhelming, these glowing toys offer a gentle, mesmerizing way to bring calm and focus to a child's day. The soft glow, vibrant colours, and rhythmic patterns of light can make a profound difference, helping children find balance in a world that can sometimes feel too chaotic.
For children with autism, who might be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to visual stimuli, these toys offer a controlled and predictable source of visual input. By providing gentle visual stimulation, promoting relaxation, and supporting sensory regulation, these toys help children navigate their sensory world with a little more ease and a lot more joy.
To view our entire 'Light Up Sensory Toy' range, click here
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Through gentle, rhythmic rocking, these boards provide a sensory experience that can help children feel grounded and secure, offering a moment of peace in a world that often feels overwhelming.
The gentle back-and-forth motion of a wooden rocker board is inherently calming. For children with autism, who may struggle with sensory processing, this rhythmic movement can offer a sense of order and predictability. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to soothe a child’s nervous system, helping them find calm amidst the sensory chaos that can sometimes dominate their day.
Blanket for Wooden Rocker Board available here
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14. Floor Surfer - Balance and Scoot Board
The Floor Surfer appeals to children with autism and combines play and the training of motor skills. The Floor Surfer has been developed in partnership with children’s physiotherapists to ensure safe use by any child irrespective of motor skills level.
It combines function, safety and design. The raised front part of the Floor Surfer supports the coccyx when the child is sitting and the sternum when child is lying down. The Floor Surfer is slightly tapered at the front to give increased freedom of movement for the child’s arms and the wheels are screened to minimise the risk of running over the child’s fingers.
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The River Stones are inspired by stepping stones in a river with each side of the triangle varying in steepness and difficulty. The purpose is to jump from stone to stone without touching the floor. (The floor is Lava!!) You can vary the position of the stones to create more challenging paths for children.
Each stone has a rubber rim on the base which prevent them from slipping, and also protect indoor floor areas. Provides challenging, active, imaginative fun. Builds children’s confidence when jumping, judging distances, co-ordinating and balancing.
A firm favourite for children with autism!
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Get ready to embark on a sensory adventure inspired by nature and children's boundless curiosity with our Sensory Puzzle Playmats!
These versatile playmats are not just fun; they're a fantastic tool for development and entertainment, measuring 25cm x 25cm each and designed to fit together like a puzzle to create your own customizable play surface.
Immerse your child in a world of sensory exploration and watch as their imagination soars, posture improves, and the vestibular system develops - all while having an absolute blast on these captivating playmats.
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The Squeeze Machine - an innovative tool designed to offer proprioception sensory input and deep pressure touch stimulation. As you navigate through, you'll experience a comforting squeeze that provides a sense of being tightly wrapped, making it ideal for those in need of extra pressure.
Experience the benefits of deep pressure stimulation with our Squeeze Machine - your go-to solution for a calming and sensory-rich experience.
Explore the comforting squeeze today!
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18. Sling Swing
Sling Swing - a versatile sensory tool enhancing focus and regulation. This swing offers a cocoon-like experience, providing a hug-like sensation and calming Deep Touch Pressure.
Ideal for reading, napping, or sensory play, it creates a safe and quiet space for children. The gentle swinging stimulates balance, fostering vestibular and proprioceptive input for holistic development.
Transform your sensory space with the Sling Swing - combining comfort, sensory benefits, and versatile use for an immersive experience. Swing into sensory bliss!
To view our entire range of senory swings, click here
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The 4-way stretch Lycra body sock is designed to provide a proprioceptive and tactile experience that encourages creative movement and body awareness. Perfect for anyone seeking to reinforce resistive awareness and improve spatial awareness through balance and resistance.
Ideal for autism and sensory integration, this body sock provides a fun and therapeutic way to engage with sensory experiences. Once inside, the stretchy material gently resists your movements, inspiring experimentation and self-awareness.
Unlock a world of sensory exploration and development with the 4-Way Stretch Lycra Body Sock. It's a versatile tool for improving body awareness and fostering creative movement.
Available in 3 different sizes!
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Our Calming Sensory Cocoon is a peaceful haven for children. Deep, even pressure is applied to many sensitive areas when they get in, and some even like to gently rock side-to-side for a serene peace.
Filled with polystyrene beads, the two-part design fastens together on the bottom and sides with wide velcro, allowing it to adjust to the child's needs. The inside is lined in soft feel suede and the outer surface is composed of a durable Phthalate-free material and a moisture-resistant nylon.
Read, relax, and enjoy the calming cocooning-calm! The perfect addition to your sensory room!
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Benefits of Sensory Toys and Sensory Products
1. Enhancing Cognitive Development
Sensory items promote exploration and curiosity, helping children learn about cause and effect, problem-solving, and other cognitive skills.
2. Improving Fine Motor Skills
Many sensory toys require children to use their hands and fingers in precise ways, which can strengthen fine motor skills.
3. Providing Comfort and Reducing Anxiety
The repetitive motions and soothing textures of sensory toys and products can help reduce anxiety and provide comfort during overwhelming moments.
4. Encouraging Social Interaction
Sensory toys can be shared, encouraging play with others and helping children develop important social skills.
5. Supporting Sensory Integration
By providing controlled sensory input, these items can help children with autism and other SEN better integrate and respond to sensory information.
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Why Sensory Products Should Be Part of Daily Routine
Incorporating sensory toys into your child’s daily routine is a proactive way to support their development - whether it’s a quick sensory break with a squishy ball during homework time or a calming swing session before bed, these toys can be seamlessly integrated into everyday activities. They’re not just for playtime - they’re tools that help children regulate their emotions, stay focused, and develop essential skills.
Try adding a Sensory Den to your child's sensory area to help them relax and unwind.
Click here for our full range of Sensory Dens.
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Click on image to view video of Sensory Den in use!
Sensory Toys – More Than Just Fun!
Sensory toys might look like just colourful bits of plastic or soft, squishy shapes, but for children with autism, ADHD, or other Special Educational Needs (SEN), these toys are so much more. They are tools that help children make sense of the world around them, providing comfort, stimulation, and sometimes just a much-needed moment of calm.
Now, you might be thinking, "Really? A toy can do all that?" ...Yes, absolutely! I can tell you that the right sensory toy can be a game-changer in a child's daily routine. These toys engage a child's senses - touch, sight, sound, smell, and even taste - and help them learn and grow in ways that traditional toys might not.
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FAQs
Q: Are sensory toys only for children with autism?
- A: No, sensory toys are beneficial for all children, especially those with ADHD, anxiety, or other SEN.
Q: How do I know which sensory toy is right for my child?
- A: It’s best to observe your child’s preferences and sensory needs. Some children may prefer tactile toys, while others might be drawn to visual or auditory stimulation.
Q: Can sensory toys help with sleep?
- A: Yes, items like weighted blankets and sensory swings can create a calming environment that promotes better sleep.
Q: How often should my child use sensory toys?
- A: Sensory toys can be used throughout the day, whenever your child needs a break, stimulation, or comfort.
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Final thoughts...
Sensory toys are more than just fun gadgets; they are essential tools that can significantly impact a child's development, especially for those with autism, ADHD, or other SEN. By integrating these toys into daily routines, you can help your child manage their sensory processing needs, reduce anxiety, and encourage growth in a playful, engaging way.
Remember, the key is to explore and find what works best for your child - after all, every child is unique, and so are their sensory preferences.
For more information on any of these products or advice on which sensory products might be best suitable for your child, please feel free to contact our customer service team and they'll be happy to assist you in finding the perfect items for your childs needs.
Happy playing!
The Learning SPACE Team xx
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