Sometimes it can difficult with our little ones – with low tone and issues with eyesight and coordination most children’s toys aren’t developmentally appropriate for our wee ones.
Here’s a round up of ones that have worked for us.
Toys + Play
Sensory Toys
Toys that make sound or feel interesting when touched. Designed to engage a child’s attention both cognitively and physically by stimulating touch, sight and/or sound.
Space Blanket
This small blanket by far has had the best experience feedback. It reflects light and it makes a satisfying noise when you touch it. They also come as huge blankets (typically used to treat shock or at the end of a marathon) which mean they can be cut into small pieces, it doesn’t tear easily and it’s cheap as chips.
£3.68 for two – amazon.co.uk
$2.59 – amazon.com
Stretchy/Hairy Tactile Bugs/Crabs
With the stretchy plastic ‘hair’ – it’s a good tactile experience, particularly when alternating between surfaces and textures. Good for pulling. Light, too. Put on the chest while lying supine to encourage cross midline reach.
Big Bugs
£3.99 – amazon.co.uk
$3.58 – amazon.com
Centipede Cyril
– £3.08 – amazon.co.uk
– $9.97 for six – amazon.com
Crab (Similar)
– £8.95 – amazon.co.uk
– $4.38 – amazon.com
Safari Mirror
It’s not clear what our little ones can see exactly, but most respond to light and movement. By placing this mirror at eye height in places where the child lies (ie – in the crib, by the changing mat etc) you can encourage head turning.
Big Bugs
£9.09 – amazon.co.uk
$10.99 – amazon.com
Marbles
If your young one isn’t yet putting things into their mouth, this is a good one. While lying supine, either on a tray or on the floor where they can reach lay out a lot of marbles. They roll, make noise when they hit another marble and they feel slightly cold.
£9.99 – amazon.co.uk
$8.95 – amazon.com
Other good alternatives to marbles is pasta spirals/macaroni.
Baby Hand Bells/Rattles
Helpful for making a lot of noise and encouraging arm movement.
Hand Bells
£1.99 – amazon.co.uk
$6.97 – amazon.com
Soft Hand Rattles
£6.50 for four – amazon.co.uk
$3.59 – amazon.com
Rainmaker
A small tube that makes a pretty cute ‘rain’ noise when tipped. Fantastic for kicking, or pushing.
£6.99 – amazon.co.uk
$9.99 – amazon.com
Cloud B Tranquil Turtle
A turtle that has a light up shell.
£39.99 – amazon.co.uk
$44.95 – amazon.com
LED Spiked Ball
Flashing spikey bounce ball, with motion activated flash (flashes for 10-15 seconds before de-activating).
£2.72 – amazon.co.uk
$3.99 – amazon.com
Gross Motor Movement
Toys that encourage big sweeping arm or leg movements.
Mirror Chimeabout
This is a fantastic toy for large sweeping motor movement, and instant feedback. The hanging bell’s make a lots of noise, it’s sturdy and has a large target area. Bonus is the acrylic strips work well under UV light too. It is an incredibly good sensory toy.
However, it’s marketed as a therapy toy and is ridiculously expensive for what it is. Better to see if you can get it through a play therapist (like portage in the UK).
£62.95 – amazon.co.uk
$89.00 – amazon.com
Swiss Ball
When seated, a swiss ball works great for encouraging leg movement and kicking. If you pair it with a space blanket under the ball, even better.
£11.95 – amazon.co.uk
$6.99 – amazon.com
Grasping
Toys that encourage holding and fine motor movements.
Manhattan Toy Winkel Rattle
This teether is light enough to be picked up, makes a satisfying rattle and has lots of easily grasped wires to hold on to.
£9.99 – amazon.co.uk
$10.69 – amazon.com
DIY Bell Ball
Finding toys that are easy to grasp or hit that make noise can sometimes be difficult. Sometimes it’s easier to DIY one. This ball, threaded through with bells with a bit of string make a pretty satisfying noise when hit. Easy to grasp and light enough to hold or pick up. Excellent went strung up from above (from an A-frame or a microphone stand).
Ball
£4.99 – amazon.co.uk
$8.09 – amazon.com
Bells
£2.10 – amazon.co.uk
$4.67 – amazon.com
Intentional Pushing or Kicking
Toys that have buttons that encourage a smaller target for intentional, targeted pushing or kicking.
Piano Play Mat
Helpful for making a lot of noise and encouraging kicking.
£37.99 – amazon.co.uk
$32.73 – amazon.com
Recordable push buttons
Record a message that is played when the button is pushed. The Special needs version (the Big Mac) is ridiculously expensive. There are neurotypical alternatives that have a smaller button size that are more affordable.
£99.00 – BigMAC Button inclusive.co.uk/
$135.00 – BigMAC Buttonablenetinc.com
£10.00 – Red Button Moo Box – amazon.co.uk
$15.00 – Neutral Record Talking Button – amazon.com
£22.00 – Recordable Answer Buzzers – amazon.co.uk
$21.00 – Recordable Answer Buzzers – amazon.com
Lamaze Spin & Explore Garden Baby Gym Play Mat
An easy way to encourage tummy time, especially as propping isn’t always the easiest. If your child has some form of head control and is able to explore with their hands, this might work well for you.
£35.00 – amazon.co.uk
$40.00 – amazon.com