Does your child crave movement, enjoy deep pressure, meaning a firm touch like tight hugs, or shy away from loud sounds and sticky textures? These preferences may be more than just likes and dislikes—they could reflect how your child processes sensory input. Learning to recognize and support your child’s sensory needs can transform everyday challenges into growth opportunities. And the right sensory toys can help make that possible.
What Are Sensory Toys?
Sensory toys are playful tools that stimulate one or more senses—like touch, hearing, sight, movement, or body awareness. They’re designed to help kids explore their environment in ways that feel comfortable and engaging.
These toys do more than entertain. They’re often used in pediatric occupational therapy to support skills like focus, coordination, emotional regulation, and overall sensory processing. By using sensory toys at home, children can build on therapy goals while simply having fun.
How Sensory Toys Support Development
Sensory toys aren’t just fun—they serve real functions for all children, such as:
- Staying calm and focused
- Improving self-regulation, coping skills and emotional control
- Strengthening fine and gross motor skills
- Safely exploring or avoid certain sensations
- Reinforcing therapy goals outside sessions
When a child’s brain has trouble processing sensory information, it can lead to meltdowns, anxiety, or hyperactivity. Sensory toys provide a safe and structured outlet to meet those needs.
Choosing the Right Sensory Toys for Your Child
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to sensory toys. Choosing what works for your child starts with paying attention.
- Watch for sensory-seeking vs. sensory-avoidant behaviors
- Match toys to your child’s needs and preferences
- Rotate toys to keep them interesting and avoid overstimulation
- Supervise use of new sensory tools to ensure safety and track preferences
It’s OK if your child doesn’t connect with a toy right away—sensory preferences are highly individual. That’s why a little trial and error is completely normal.
Types of Sensory Toys by Sensory System
Touch (Tactile) Sensory Toys
These toys help kids who crave or avoid touch experiences.
- Textured balls or stress balls
- Play dough or sensory putty
- Fabric swatches or texture boards
- Water beads or dry rice bins
- Soft brushes or sensory brushes
Body Awareness (Proprioception) Sensory Toys
These toys help kids understand where their body is in space, often through deep pressure or resistance.
- Weighted blankets or lap pads
- Resistance bands or stretchy tubes
- Climbing cushions or crash pads
- Jump ropes or animal walk games
- Push-pull toys or wagons
Balance and Movement (Vestibular) Sensory Toys
Great for children who seek movement or struggle with balance and coordination.
- Balance boards or wobble cushions
- Swings (platform or hammock style)
- Rocking chairs or bouncing toys
- Spinning chairs or sit-n-spin tools
- Obstacle course components
Sound (Auditory) Sensory Toys
For children who enjoy making noise or need help filtering sounds.
- Shakers or rain sticks
- Drums or rhythm sticks
- Noise-reducing headphones or white noise machines, for use during any kind of stationary play
- Sound puzzles or echo tubes
- Music mats or sound panels
Sight (Visual) Sensory Toys
These toys can stimulate or calm the visual system, depending on the child’s needs.
- Light-up toys or spinning wands
- Lava-style sensory tubes
- Mirrors and kaleidoscopes
- Color sorting games
- Visual timers or snow globes
Everyday Household Items That Can Work as Sensory Toys
Not everything needs to be store-bought. Many sensory activities can be created at home with everyday items.
- Ziplock bags filled with hair gel and beads
- Bins of rice, colored sprinkles, fun-shaped dry pasta or dried beans with scoops and cups
- Sponges and spray bottles, especially at bath time
- Cookie dough with rolling pins and cookie cutters
- Blanket forts for quiet spaces
- Empty paper towel tubes, for sound play
- Flashlights for shadow play
These DIY tools can be just as effective—and often more affordable—than store-bought options.
What If My Child Doesn’t Like Sensory Toys?
Not every child will engage with sensory tools right away, and that’s OK. Here are some ways to try again:
- Introduce toys slowly, without pressure
- Model how to use them yourself
- Make sure play feels optional and safe
- Try switching to a different sensory system
Sometimes it takes a few tries to find what works. If your child refuses one type of input, they may respond better to another.
How Little Hands at Play Can Help
At Little Hands at Play, our therapists use a wide variety of sensory tools during sessions to meet each child’s unique needs. From resistance activities to calming visual toys, we incorporate sensory play to build skills and confidence.
Our team also works closely with parents, guiding them on what to try at home and helping families create calming routines and sensory-friendly environments. Therapy is always personalized—what works for one child may not work for another, and that’s why expert support matters.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your child’s sensory responses are interfering with daily life, it may be time to get an evaluation. Consider reaching out if:
- Meltdowns happen frequently over routine changes
- Sensory seeking or avoidance limits participation in school or play
- You feel stuck or unsure what to try next
Early support helps children build tools for regulation, confidence, and success.
Reach Out to Little Hands at Play Today
You don’t have to keep guessing. At Little Hands at Play, our pediatric occupational therapists specialize in therapy with a focus on sensory integration. We’ll help you understand what your child is experiencing and guide you with clear, personalized support plans.
From your first evaluation to every therapy session, we partner with you to build a foundation for lifelong growth. Call us today at (479) 239-9678 or email us to schedule your child’s evaluation in our Fayetteville or Fort Smith, AK clinic.
