A guide to sensory toys
At BargainMax, we offer a wide range of sensory items to support child development. Read our guide to sensory toys to find out more about what we have to offer.
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are specifically designed to stimulate one or more of the five senses – sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste – to promote relaxation, exploration, and learning. They’re typically used by neurodivergent children and adults to help them regulate their sensory needs and develop motor skills.
Here at BargainMax, we understand that sensory toys play a significant role in shaping children's emotional responses. They can be used as powerful tools for nurturing emotional intelligence when incorporated into play. The different sensory stimuli (tactile, visual, and auditory) provided by these toys create opportunities for children to recognise and identify different feelings.
Benefits of sensory toys:
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Encourages focus and concentration
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Develops fine motor skills
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Promotes self-regulation and reduces anxiety
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Aids in emotional expression
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Enhances cognitive development (e.g., cause and effect, problem-solving)
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Stimulates senses for exploration and learning
Sensory play can help children express their emotions in a way that they may find difficult to articulate verbally. This kind of play can offer carers and educators valuable insights into children's emotional experiences. Some kinds of sensory toys, such as those that require eye contact, gestures, or facial expressions, can aid in the development of non-verbal communication skills. Sensory toys can provide an enriching context for children to develop their communication skills.
Types of sensory toys
Sensory toys come in a wide variety of forms, each designed to engage different senses and cater to various developmental needs. From tactile items that encourage fine motor skill development to visual and auditory toys that promote focus and calm, understanding the different types can help parents and carers select the most beneficial tools for their child.
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Texture Balls - Balls with various textures, such as bumps, ridges, or soft spikes, that can be rolled or squeezed.
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Water Beads - Colourful water beads that expand when soaked in water provide a soothing tactile experience. They can be used in sensory bins or trays.
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Sensory Blocks – Blocks with different textures, colours, and patterns encourage exploration and stimulate the sense of touch.
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Light-Up Toys - Toys that light up or change colours provide visual stimulation. This can include light-up balls, sensory lamps, or interactive light panels.
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Musical Instruments – Instruments like drums, shakers, and xylophones engage the sense of hearing and allow children to explore different sounds and rhythms.
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Kinetic Sand – Kinetic sand is a mouldable and squishable material that provides a unique tactile experience. It can be moulded, squeezed, and shaped.
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Sensory Tunnels – Tunnels made of different textures (soft, crinkly, or bumpy) provide a tactile experience as children crawl through them.
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Scented Playdough – Playdough infused with scents like lavender, vanilla, or citrus engages the sense of smell and provides a calming sensory experience.
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Bubble Tubes - These tubes contain bubbles and colourful lights, creating a visually stimulating and calming effect. They are often used in sensory rooms.
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Sensory Mats – Mats with various textures, like soft fabric, rough patches, or raised bumps, provide a tactile surface for exploration.
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Chewable Jewellery - Necklaces or bracelets designed for chewing can provide oral sensory input for children who seek oral stimulation.
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Balance Boards – Balance boards challenge children's vestibular system, helping with coordination and balance.
Toys for communication
Sensory bottles, often referred to as calm-down bottles, are incredibly versatile tools that go beyond simple entertainment. They can be used to introduce and reinforce foundational concepts such as colour recognition, basic counting skills, and the concept of cause and effect.
The visual stimulation provided by these bottles can be both engaging and profoundly calming, helping children to regulate their emotions and improve their focus. Watching the slow internal movement of glitter, beads, or other materials inside a sealed bottle is an excellent exercise to improve attention span and a helpful, self-directed tool for self-soothing during times of emotional distress.
The Express Your Feelings Sensory Bottles from Learning Resources are designed to help children identify and connect with their emotions. This set of four child-safe bottles is securely sealed and offers children a quiet, self-directed, and tangible way to identify their feelings and express their emotions.
Each of the four bottles represents a unique emotion with an interactive element. The happy bottle is yellow, the sad bottle is blue, the scared bottle is green, and the angry bottle is red.
Children can swirl, shake, and rotate the bottles to see the motion and engage in quiet focus in a space such as a calm-down corner or talk about how they are feeling. The set comes with an activity guide that encourages children to explore their emotions and develop their emotional intelligence.
Fidget toys
Fidget toys are a great way to promote concentration and reduce stress. They provide a tactile sensory experience that can be beneficial for those who struggle to focus or need help with fine motor skills.
The best fidget toys are designed to keep your hands busy while also developing your visual perception skills, colour and size discrimination, and tactile awareness. Additionally, sensory fidget toys can help reduce self-stimulatory behaviour and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Sensory toys for babies
Sensory toys for babies play a crucial role in their development by engaging their senses and promoting cognitive, motor, and social skills. Whether it's tummy time mates, soft rattles or soft toys – textures, smells, lights and sounds can all stimulate your baby’s senses.
Are sensory toys only for children with Autism or ADHD?
No, sensory toys are beneficial for all children, not just those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While they are essential tools for neurodivergent children to help with sensory processing and self-regulation, sensory toys also promote cognitive development, fine motor skills, emotional expression, and focus in neurotypical children. They are a valuable resource for any child's general development and play.
Best sensory toys for autism
Sensory toys play a critical role in supporting autistic children by providing a focused outlet for sensory processing needs and promoting self-regulation. The best sensory toys for autism often include items that offer deep pressure, firm resistance, or repetitive actions, such as weighted blankets or lap pads, fidget cubes, chewable jewellery, and textured balls. These tools help create a sense of calm, improve focus, and reduce anxiety by providing consistent, predictable sensory input, making it easier for children to navigate overwhelming environments and express their emotions effectively.
Calming sensory toys for autism
Calming sensory toys are vital for children with autism who experience sensory processing difficulties, particularly during times of overstimulation or anxiety. These toys often focus on providing predictable, deep, or consistent sensory input to help the child self-regulate and find a sense of peace.
Weighted plush toys or lap pads, which offer deep pressure that mimics a comforting hug; soft, squeezable stress balls; and simple fidget toys that allow for quiet, repetitive movements like Pop-Its or small textured items. The goal of these toys is to redirect overwhelming sensory input into a manageable, soothing experience, facilitating a return to calm and focus.
Best toys for toddlers with sensory overload
Sensory overload occurs when a sudden influx of sensory information overwhelms the nervous system, leading to distress, agitation, or a 'meltdown'. For toddlers, managing this requires toys that offer gentle, predictable, and self-soothing input. Simple, soft-textured toys, light-up toys that offer a calming visual focal point, and chewable items that provide oral-motor input can help to ground and calm them. The aim is to create a peaceful 'sensory break' where they can filter out the excess stimulation and return to a regulated state.
Shop sensory toys for children at BargainMax
When choosing sensory toys, it's essential to consider the child's preferences and sensitivities. Additionally, always ensure that the toys are age-appropriate and safe for use. Children with specific sensory needs may benefit from consulting with an occupational therapist to identify the most suitable toys for their individual requirements.
BargainMax stocks a wide range of sensory toys for children and babies, from Play-Doh and slime to soft toys and wooden toys. Explore our collection today and discover the perfect resources to help your child’s development and emotional well-being. For any further information about our sensory toys, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
