What does V want for her birthday or Christmas? I don’t know about you, but I kind of dread that question. V loves a celebration, and is so excited to get presents, but it’s tough finding things that really resonate with her or that she’s able to use. It becomes a quest for me to have good ideas when that question is asked. Every year I seems like I hit on at least one thing that really makes her smile. I call that winning.
Here are some of my gift ideas for children with special needs – I’d really love to hear yours!
Play Impossible Game Ball
I saw the Play Impossible Game Ball at a technology show recently, and where other parents saw “fun” I also saw “therapy.” The Play Impossible Game Ball is a small, durable ball that integrates technology into play. Sure you can throw it and play as you would a standard inflatable ball, but use the app and there’s a whole new level of play, including voice activated challenges that help your child with hand-eye coordination, counting, dexterity, science and more. Your child will be having so much fun, they won’t even know it’s therapeutic. And isn’t that half the battle? I saw it on Amazon Prime for $99 with 5-star reviews, same with Target.
XDesign Fidget Cube Focus Fidget Toy
For those that crave something hold and fidget with to help focus or reduce anxiety, this toy features 6 sides for you to rub, roll, spin, press, control and switch.
Small World Toys Neurosmith – Music Blocks
This first gift idea was recommended to me by several people. Small World Toys Neurosmith – Music Blocks
PlayAbility Toys Rib-It-Ball
The unique, patented ribs on the Rib-it-Ball make it easy to grab even for the smallest and weakest of hands. Children will have hours of fun without frustration while improving balance and motor skills. The PlayAbility Toys Rib-It-Balls
Amazon Fire Kids Edition with Wi-Fi, Kid-Proof Case
If your child enjoys books, movies and apps, they’ll love the Amazon Fire Kids Edition Kindle
Talking Wrist Watch
My daughter has this watch, and it’s helped her understand time and her daily schedule. She can easily push the green button and it says the time, “It is 7:00 pm.” It has an alarm and an hourly audio time report that you can set up or disable. It’s not glamorous, but it is functional, and gives my daughter one more way to access her environment. She’s started to push the button on the Talking Wrist Watch
Melissa & Doug Deluxe Latches Board
Melissa and Doug makes a wide range of learning puzzles, some with textures and tactile enhancements. They have large wooden pieces that are easier to handle, and sturdy for a lot of use. My daughter loved this Latches Board
Melissa & Doug Play Kitchen and Food Sets
Melissa & Doug make a wide range of high quality learning toys. I love these kitchen and food prep toys! Pretend play helps kids in so many ways, including story telling, fine motor, life skills and more. See their line on Amazon.
Strider Youth No-Pedal Balance Bike
The STRIDER balance bike is a great concept. A bike without pedals, it promotes a natural approach to balance, allowing the rider’s feet to remain safely touching the ground. The child lifts his or her feet gradually on their own terms, finding success and confidence, not to mention better balancing, steering and coordination skills. It’s physical therapy that’s fun! STRIDER makes balance bikes for children with special needs in sizes up to adult.
Orb Factory Magnetic Mosaics
Mosaic manipulative puzzles with large pieces that stay put on a magnetic board. Great for hand-eye coordination, and frustration-free creativity. Magnetic Mosaics come in a wide range of design options.
Thea Swing
Add the Thea Swing to an existing swing to add additional support for children with special needs. Genius.
BOSU Balance Trainer
Mom Tarra recommends the BOSU Balance Trainer
Gonge Riverstones and Gonge Balance Planks
Mom Tarra also recommends the Gonge Riverstones and Gonge Balance Planks, saying, “We also have the Gonge River Stones and River Balance beam pieces. They’ve been used constantly for a few years now.” Looks like fun – thanks for sharing Tarra!
Water Beads
Mom Valerie recommends Water Beads, saying, “Water beads are a great sensory item for our littles and the smaller packaged ones are great stocking stuffers.” Great suggestion!
The Gift of an Experience
I think the gift my child with special needs enjoys the most is the gift of an experience. For her 13th birthday we went on a road trip to visit movie filming locations for Twilight. I made a video slideshow for her iPhone and she gets so excited sharing that experience with people. We all had a great time, we talk about that trip often.
Maybe it’s tickets to a play or concert, a special day out or a local road trip. Or maybe it’s a family vacation. Whatever it looks like, the gift of an experience is something that’s always unforgettable.
V also loves audiobooks. She has one of my old iPhones on a lanyard, it’s full of audiobooks and her fave music. She gets so excited when we find new audiobooks with a good story and fun narration.
Reader Shobha from Just Go Places added a great resource, “Our OT loves the Pocket Full of Therapy store online – she actually gets her stuff shipped from them in New Jersey to the UK because you can’t get a lot of their stuff here.” Thanks for sharing!
Please share any gift ideas for special needs children that you have!
My son really seeks gross motor activity. We have the BOSU exercise half-ball that he loves to climb over and practice balancing on. We also have the Gonge River Stones and River Balance beam pieces. They’ve been used constantly for a few years now.
Thanks Tarra – I’m adding them to the list!
We had that Melissa & Doug latch board – it was tremendous! That was the first thing i was going to suggest. We also used Magnetic Mosaics to help with hand eye coordination. Our OT loves the Pocket Full of Therapy store online – she actually gets her stuff shipped from them in New Jersey to the UK because you can’t get a lot of their stuff here.
Awesome ideas, thanks Shobha! I’ll add them to the list!