Giant 40" Spider Web Swing

Giant 40" Spider Web Swing
Ages: 5 to adult
Little kids love to swing. But so do adults... especially those with autism or sensory processing needs! While there are plenty of swings available for children, this one is cool because it will support up to 250 pounds.

Super Spinner Swing

Super Spinner Swing
Age: 3 to 12
Here is a different kind of swing! This platform swing is a flat disk that can hold one or two children at a time (up to 15o pounds.) Children can use it to swing or spin. (Many people with autism love to spin and can spin for long amounts of time without feeling dizzy, so if you know a spinner, this would be a great gift for them!)  They can upright on it, or lie across it. It can be hung from a swing set or a tree. It is probably possible to hang it indoors, as well, if you have a sensory room or play room. It is easy to keep clean, and has a hole in the middle for drainage so it won't hold rain.

PlasmaCar

PlasmaCar
Ages:
This is another riding toy that doesn't use pedals or foot power. It runs on "kid power," centrifugal force, and gravity. It drives around smoothly, and can support up to 220 pounds. It is very safe, and meets or exceeds all international product safety standards. Want to see it in motion? You're going to want to try it yourself! Make sure to give your kids a turn.

Magic Moves Electronic Wand

Magic Moves Electronic Wand
Ages: 3 to 10
When a child picks up this wand, you never know what they're going to end up doing! Accompanied by music and lights, this wand gives out directions for movements that will get kids exercising without realizing it! They'll also be enriching their vocabularies and practicing their listening skills. One child can play alone, or a leader can hold the wand while a group of children follow the directions. Watch a little boy named Max try his out!

Diggin Wobble Deck

Diggin Wobble Deck
Ages: 3 and up (100 pound limit)
Here is a balance board with another twist! This is an electronic balance board that has three fun games. The first is a game of memory and sequence. The board calls out a color, and you lean towards that color. The next time, you will have to lean towards two different colors in the correct sequence... and it gets more and more challenging! For Speed Play, the board calls out colors for you to lean towards, and calls them more and more quickly until you are wobbling like crazy! Finally, the Freestyle game lets you play songs by leaning in different directions to hear different instruments and tunes. According to Dr. Ron Savage, President of North American Brain Injury Society, "The Wobble Deck develops attention and processing skills for children with special needs, including children with traumatic brain disorders (TBI). The Wobble Deck improves visual motor coordination so children develop the ability to match their physical/motor output with visual input."

Labrynth Balance Boards

Labrynth Balance Board
Ages: 4 and up
Many children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, and other special needs have trouble with their coordination and sense of balance. Practicing on a balance board can be helpful... and some people even claim it can help children with their ability to focus and their behavior! To make balancing on a board fun and motivating for children, this balance board is also a labrynth. You have to stand on the board (weight limit is 275, so teens and adults can use this too) and move your body gently from side to side or forward and backward, in order to make the little ball roll through the maze. This is a great way to challenge your mind and your body at the same time!

But if the child you know is 5 years old or under and needs something a little less challenging to start with, try this...


Labrynth Balance Board, Jr.
Ages: 3-5
This one has the same objective as the first one, but is easier. The balls are larger, the maze is impler, and there are shoe prints to show children where to stand.

Yo Baby Kick Flipper

Yo Baby Kick Flipper
Ages: 4 and up
Have you always wanted to learn skateboard tricks, but weren't quite ready to try them on a board that has wheels? Try a Kick Flipper! Using the DVD that comes with it, children can learn cool skateboarding moves in the safety of their living room or back yard! Watch this little boy show off some of the tricks he's mastered.

Master Pogo Stick

Master Pogo Stick
Ages: 8 and up
Do you know a child who needs something more advanced than the GoGo Pogo? The kind of child who likes to challenge himself physically and take risks? They might like a Master Pogo Stick. This is more like the original pogo stick. It supports up to 160 pounds, and can go higher than the GoGo Pogo. They recommend you use helmets and other protective gear, just in case you bounce a little too high!

GoGo Pogo

 GoGo Pogo
Ages: 5 and up (110 pound limit)
Did you ever have a pogo stick? I did, when I was a kid... and I would spend hours all alone on my driveway, bouncing like a kangaroo. I had dreams of joining the Pogo Olympics... I had read that such a thing existed.
The PogoGogo takes pogoing to a whole new level. It is an electronic pogo stick that includes 5 interactive games:
1. It will count how many times you bounce in a row, and tell you your score when you stop. (I used to count my own bounces, but what happens if you lose count at 159? You have to start all over!)
2. Test your speed by trying to jump a certain number of times in a certain amount of time.
3. Bounce to the rhythm of a song.
4. It can make silly, random sounds on each bounce.
5. Freeze Dance! Bounce as the music is playing, and then freeze when it stops! Be careful, because the GoGo Pogo knows if you're cheating!


The rubber ball base and nonslip foot rest makes it a little safer than the traditional pogo stick. This pogo is for kids up to 110 pounds.

Spring Swings Zip Line

Spring Swings Fun Ride

Age:  5 and up (up to 100 pounds)

Have you ever seen kids playing on those zip line things at the playground? Usually you climb up onto the play structure, hang onto a handle bar, jump off the play structure, and zoom across to the other side of the structure! I remember how much my brother and I played on those things when we were little. Now you can actually own one in your own backyard! All you need is two spots to attach it to, such as two trees that are a little ways apart, or a house wall and a garage wall. You'll probably also need something for the children to jump off of. A picnic table would work well! 

You want to play to? Or, you have children who are over 100 pounds? You can buy the Spring Swings Super Z Fun Ride, which supports up to 250 pounds...

...or the Deluxe Fun Ride, which supports up to 225 pounds.


Sounds like a fun ride to me!
In this video, the kids are just grabbing on and lifting their legs up, instead of jumping off of something... so I guess depending on the age and height of your child, and which version you get, you could hang it low enough for them to grab from the ground or high enough for them to need to jump off of something.

Flying Turtle Scooter

Flying Turtle Ride-On Scooter
Ages: 3 and up
I saw this being used by children at a preschool program, and they loved it so much, they were all clamoring for turns with the four scooters that were there! You sit on the seat and put your feet up,,, no feet needed for this ride! To move, you just turn the handle bars back and forth. It may take a few minutes for children to get used to the action, but once they get going, they really cruise around!
This is recommended for children ages 3 to 10. But, the weight limit is 150, so some teenagers and adults could also get use out of it!
Even better, it comes already put together, so you won't have to get out any tools or directions or anything.
Do not use them on steep hills or (I hope I don't have to tell you this) stairs. It may seem fun to try that, but its all fun and games until someone gets hurt!
It comes in green, magenta, purple or teal.
Watch these turtles fly!

Whats Inside? Feely Box

Whats Inside? Soft Feely Box
Ages: 2 and up
This is a toy that is meant to help children pay attention to their senses. One person (probably an adult, at least at first) hides something (either one of the little objects that comes with it, or another small object from your own house) inside the box. The other player then has to stick their hand into the opening on the side of the box and, using only their sense of touch, try to guess what the object is.
For beginning players, or players with limited speech ability, what I would do would be to print out choice cards with pictures of the possible items. The child could then choose the picture that they think matches the object in the box. You could start out by just offering the child two choices (the correct item and a second item) and then making it harder by adding more and more choices.
Because of the fact that you can add your own small objects, the opportunities for this game are endless! I have seen this used a lot by speech pathologists, and it is always a big hit with kids.

Starry Night Spinner Ring

This is only one of the several styles of spinner rings they have over at Stimtastic. The Starry Night Spinner Ring consists of two rings, one inside the other. The outer ring can spin around, providing you with a great, subtle fidget toy right at your fingertips! These rings are so cool, anyone will love them, not just people with sensory needs. Plus, it is stainless steel, so it won't turn my finger green, which I've noticed most inexpensive rings do. Definitely worth buying for someone this holiday season!

Gear Spinner Pendant Necklace

This is a cool necklace that looks like a gear, and also moves like a gear! Pretty simple, really. If you don't believe me, just watch this video. And don't forget, you can buy it at Stimtastic. 

Snake Twist Necklace

I wrote a review of this in my other blog, and I mentioned that I loved this so much, I kept it with me all the time, and eventually lost it. I didn't realize it was supposed to be a necklace, though, and I used it like an ordinary fidget. It is 36 inches long, made of hypoallergenic iron/copper alloy, and can be bent and twisted and even scrunched into a little ball. It will hold whatever shape you put it in. I want to buy another one once I've got some more money to fool around with! You can certainly use it as a necklace, or also wind it up a little and use it as a bracelet... or just play around with it, like I did! And you can buy it  at Stimtastic! Here is a video of someone playing with it.

Chewable Fidgets and Jewelry

On many of the items in this blog, I've had to include "do not give to people who put things in their mouths." Many people with special needs, of all ages, and all abilities, do put things in their mouths, as a way of getting sensory input. If you've ever chewed on the end of your pencil while you were working on math problems, you can probably relate! For people who need that chewing sensation, you can buy chewable fidgets and chewable jewelry at Stimtastic. All of the chewable items are made of Nontoxic, FDA-compliant food-grade silicone that is BPA, PVC, lead, heavy metal, latex, and phthalate free. In other words, it is completely safe to chew on, as long as you wash it off once in a while!
The chewable fidgets are handheld and are shaped like a train, an elephant, a sea horse, a car, or a pirate ship. The chewable jewelry are necklaces and bracelets that come in a variety of styles.

Zipper Bracelet

Have you ever played with the zipper on your coat or sweatshirt when you needed something to fidget with? I know I do that all the time. There is something satisfying and calming about the vibrating feel and the buzzing sound as you pull the zipper up and down.
Now you can have a zipper with you at all times! The Zipper Bracelet is just a colorful zipper that goes around your wrist and can be zipped and unzipped. You can also zip multiple bracelets to each other in order to make a necklace! Because of its small parts, this is for adults, and children over the age of six.
You can buy it right here at Stimtastic!

Klixx Fidget

The Klixx Fidget would make a perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who likes to fidget with things! I will let you view this video so you can see exactly what it is.




You can buy it right here at Stimtastic!

Snake Cube Puzzle

This is sort of like a Rubik's Cube, but wooden! It contains 27 polished wooden cubes that are strung together, so that the squares can rotate. You can use this as a puzzle by mixing it all up and then trying to put it back together, or you can just use it as a fidget toy because of the smooth, pleasing feel of the wood and the action of moving the squares around.You can buy it right here at the Stimtastic store!

Teeter Popper

Teeter Popper
Ages: 2 to teen (up to 110 pounds)
Some children are soothed and calmed by the feeling of rocking. Others have a hard time sitting still, and sitting on a rocking chair can help them stay in motion and keep themselves regulated. For still other children, the Teeter Popper is just a really cool toy! When you sit in it, it rocks forwards, backwards, and side to side. You can even spin around in it! It also has suction cups on the bottom. As you rock, the suction cups suck down onto the floor and unsuck themselves, making a great "popping" sound! This is an awesome item to have as a choice for children who need sensory breaks. When I become a teacher, I want this in my classroom! Here is a video showing children using it. I couldn't find one in English... apparently this toy was popular in other countries before it became available in the USA!





It also comes in other colors: Green or Pink!

Top Secret Perpetually Spinning Top

Fascinations Top Secret
Ages: 4 and up
Do you know someone who likes to watch things spin? They will love this top! Once it gets going, it can spin for hours, and even days, without stopping! Put it on your coffee table. When a guest comes over, and starts fidgeting with it, watch their amazement when the top never stops! Maybe a science buff can help explain why. (It is small and has a battery, so don't give to people who put things in their mouths indiscriminately!)
Watch this to see someone try it out!

Squigz

Squigz Starter Set
Ages: 4 and up
This is a unique building set that involves suction cups! You can suction some to a flat surface, and then suction more to the first pieces, and keep adding on and on! Unlike regular building toys, because they suction you can build outwards instead of just upwards. You can stick one to the refrigerator door, and build a 3-D structure that stretches across the kitchen! You can even take them in the bathtub! Well, maybe not you, specifically, but some little child you know and love. (And you too. We won't tell.) When you're ready to tale your creation apart, just pull them apart with a satisfying sucking sound! This would make a fun desk toy for an adult as well.

Playable Art Ball

Playable Art Ball
Ages: 4 and up
These connected balls allow you to twist, turn and move them to make designs and sculptures. I cannot explain it to you well enough, so see for yourself by watching this video of Playable Balls in action!

Suitcase Record Player

Jenson Suitcase Record Player
Ages: 4 and up
When I was a little kid, my brother and I had our own little suitcase record player. No, I don't mean the toy kind with the little plastic records! This was a real record player, and we had our own collection of records, including full-sized records and 45's. We would spend hours sitting up in our room listening to music, as well as the types of records that played a children's story and came with a book to read along. We had to learn how to be gentle with the records, how to place the needle carefully down on the record, and the different speeds that would play the little records versus the big records. I remember how much I loved watching the record go around and around, and the gentle crackling sound behind the music. Listening to tapes (and later, CD's and mp3's) was never the same!
Luckily, vinyl is back in vogue, and any kid can own a record player just like we did. You can probably find a lot of old records for really cheap at places like Half Price Books and thrift shops... but you can also buy them new now! I would even like to buy one for myself one of these days. Every little kid should grow up with a record player. Don't you agree?

Wave Drum

Hohner Wave Drum
Ages: 1 and up
I've seen these in classrooms where I've worked, and I thought they were so cool! What it is is a hollow drum with beads in the middle. When you tilt it, the beads roll around and make a sound that is like the ocean waves. You can also beat it like a regular drum. Kids love it (and I do to) because of the sound, and also because of the colorful design. Since you can hear the noise and watch the beads rolling around, this is a great sensory toy!

Happy Harp

Hape Happy Harp
Ages: 3 and up
For the musically inclined child, this is a toy that will bring joy! The autoharp, also known as the zither,  is a string instrument that you can hold in your lap or on the table in front of you. It is easy to learn how to play, because it comes with a scale sheet and four song sheets. You just slide one of the sheets under the strings, and the marks on the sheets will show you exactly what strings to pluck, in what order. Once you've mastered the four simple songs included, you can start learning how to play harder songs, or making up your own!

Here is a video of someone playing "Happy Birthday" on a zither. It is not a Happy Harp, but the video definitely shows you how easy it is to play. In fact, if you know someone who is NOT musically talented but WISHES they were, this would make a great gift as well!

Tangle Therapy

Tangle Therapy
Ages: 4 and up
Tangle Therapy is a fidget toy that consists of 20 interlocking pieces. It can be twisted, turned, scrunched, etc, in your hands. It can relieve stress, and strengthen your hands and fingers! This is frequently used for people with ADHD who need to fidget with something in order to concentrate. Because it is small and quiet, it is subtle and won't cause a major distraction to people around you if you use it at school or work.
The makers of Tangle Therapy also have these versions:



Tangle Jr. ( A smaller version of Tangle Therapy.)


Tangle Jr. Textured (just like the other two, but instead of being smooth it has different textures such as bumps and curves to make it more interesting.)

and



Tangle Hairy! (Does the same things as the others, but is covered in "hair", which I believe feels more rubbery than furry.)

Any one of these would make a great stocking stuffer for someone!

ENI Cylindrical Puzzle With Braille

ENI Cylindrical Puzzle With Braille
Ages: 5 and up
From the makers of Bananagrams, this is a puzzle that requires you to rotate and slide colored tiles around to make specific patterns. It is similar to the idea of a Rubik Cube! This version also has braille letters on each tile, so a visually impaired person who uses braille can also play. You can also use it as a fidget toy! (It also comes in a small version on a keychain!)

Word A Round Game

Word A Eound
Ages: 10 and up
This game is for anyone who loves words and reading. You may think you're a great reader, but what if, instead of being arranged left to right, the letters of a word were arranged in a circle, with no clear beginning or end? Would you still be able to read it? It may be trickier than you thought! In this game, players race to be the first one to decipher each word.
Here, give it a try. See how quickly you can read the words in the three rings on the top circle in this picture!

Really BIG Words

Do you know a child who loves reading words? Or a child who needs to practice his sight words? You've probably seen the magnetic poetry kits where you can rearrange tiny word magnets on a metal surface to make interesting sentences. This is the GIANT version! Each magnet is 1.75 inches tall, so they can be easily seen and read by youngsters. Some kids will enjoy just reading and memorizing the words. Some kids will enjoy creating silly sentences. Some kids will enjoy arranging the words alphabetically or by category. There are many ways to play with words!

Lightup Edison Kit to Learn About Electrical Circuits

LightUp Edison Kit
Ages:6 and up
For the budding scientist or inventor, here is a kit that helps kids learn about electricity and circuits! No tools are needed. Kids just snap blocks together, following the directions that are included, to build machines that really work! The projects you can make include a night light, morse code beeper, dimmer switch, conductivity tester, light sensor, and light beeper.
Some reviews I've read have complained that the kit doesn't actually come with directions. You are supposed to download an app on a tablet, and get more specific directions there. Reviews say that an Apple tablet works much better, although supposedly there is an Android app as well. If you are able to get the app, you can take a picture of the item you create, and it helps you understand how to work it or what you need to do to fix it.
Here is a demo of how it works!

Chaos Machine

Chaos Machine
Ages 12 and up
For the scientifically and mathematically minded, here comes a toy that teaches and demonstrates the "chaos theory." You are able to build various pendulums, starting by following the directions, and later advancing to building your own unique creations. You'll learn equations to help you predict what will happen, the difference between controlled and chaos, the Butterfly Effect, and more! The machine is magnetic, so you can stick it onto your refrigerator (or any magnetic surface) for easy every day access. If you know someone who loves to find out how things work, this may be a great gift for them!

Kinetic Sand

Kinetic Sand
I have seen this stuff at the store and in classrooms, and I cannot resist playing with it whenever I have the chance! This sand is similar to the texture of Moon Sand... it feels dry, but you can still mold it like wet sand or playdough. However, it also seems to move on its own! Hold some sand in your hand and watch it move around and trickle through your fingers on its own! It is very cool. I hope I get some in my stocking this year! Watch this video, and then TELL me you don't want to try it out for yourself.

Jelly Beadz

Jelly Beadz Water Beads
This item comes as a small bag of tiny little colored beads. Put it into a bowl or bin, add water, and wait... the beads grow into squishy, translucent marbles that children love to play with! Provide them with some measuring cups, spoons, and other tools, and watch them have hours of fun.Watch a little boy show us how they work!

Insta-Snow

Insta Snow
Too cold to go outside and play in the snow? Or, live somewhere where it doesn't snow? No problem... just bring some snow indoors! This comes in a powder form. When you add a little water, it turns into piles of fluffy white "snow" Watch a kid named Connor try it out for us!

Atomic Relief Gel Sensory Stress Ball

Atomic Relief Gel Sensory Stress Ball
Here is a ball filled with lots of smaller gel balls. You can squish it and squeeze it, keeping your hands busy!

Sandscape Art

Sandscape Art
You may have seen one of these pictures before. You can gaze at it as the sand trickles down from the top of the frame, creating a different design every time. Then, when all the sand has fallen, you can flip the frame over and watch it again! This can be very calming. I could look at one of these forever!

Newton's Cradle

Newton's Cradle
This hypnotizing desk toy will keep going and going, demonstrating the meaning of perpetual motion! Children can watch it and listen to the quiet, rhythmic, satisfying "clicking" sound. See one in action here!

Liquid Motion Bubbler

 Liquid Motion Bubbler
Watch the colored drops slowly drip to the bottom of the bubbler. Then, turn it over to watch it again! This comes in a variety of colors.

Light Show Stick

Light Show Stick
Ages 2 and up

This toy spins around and creates a 360 degree light show with 32 patterns. It comes with three AAA batteries to start with. Children can hold the light stick and make their own show, or set it up on the floor while they relax.

Telepathy Board Game

Telepathy
Ages: 9 and up
Number of players: 2 to 4
If you liked Battleship, then this game is for you! (Don't worry, you don't need to be psychic.) The game is designed as a grid, with different colored squares, and a symbol in each square. A player needs to figure out the other player's row, column, color and symbol, by asking yes or no questions and using deductive reasoning.  It sounds like fun to me!

Shell Game Logic and Memory

 Shell Game
Ages: 8 to adult
Number of Players: 1
This game relies on memory and logic. You place crabs and stones on specific places, and then cover them with shells. The object of the game involves moving only the crabs (without peeking under the shells) along to the end of the game. If you can move all of the shells containing crabs (and ONLY the crabs) to the end, without peeking, you win! There are 60 different challenges to keep you from getting bored. Here is a demo of how to play.

Prime Climb

Prime Climb
Ages: 8 to adult
Players: 2 - 4
This game seems like an advanced version of "Sorry!" The rules are similar... You move around the board, bump other players back to "Start," and try to be the first to get both of your pawns to the end. But instead of simply drawing a number and moving that many spaces, players need to add, subtract, multiply and divide.

Izzi, by Thinkfun

 Izzi
Ages: 8 to adult
Number of players: 1 (or 2 working together)
This is a visual logic puzzle. The squares have different patterns on them. The object is to arrange the squares into one large square, but each edge of each individual square must match the edge of the individual square it is touching. It sounds challenging!

Colorku

Colorku
Ages: 8 to adult
Number of Players: 1 (or 2 working together)
Colorku is a game I really have my eye on! This is similar to Sodoku, but instead of using a paper and pencils, you use colored marbles. There are 104 different puzzles, with 5 levels of difficulty. The description says ages 8 to 12, but I think this would also be a great gift for teenage and adult logic puzzle lovers.This one is on my Christmas list!

No Stress Chess

No Stress Chess
Ages: 6 to adult
Number of players; 2
Do you know a kid who you think would just love the game of chess... but you don't really know how to play, or how to teach it to someone else? This chess game guides you along and teaches you how to play step by step. Players draw from a deck of cards. Each card specifies a chess piece and tells you about the different moves it can make. You then use that piece and choose a move to make. Before long, you'll be able to play without the help of the cards! Here is a video demo about how the game works.

Animal Logic, by Fat Brain Toys

Animal Logic
Ages: 5 to 10
Number of players: 1 or more
The object of this game is to help a bunch of animals to cross a river before the water rises too high. The animals can only cross the river one at a time, in a particular order. Children must figure out the correct order to win the game! I found this amusing video that shows more about how to play the game.

Smarty Blocks

 Smarty Blocks
Ages - 2 to 8
Players: 1-4
This is a logic came for littler players, that also teaches reading, number concepts, spatial acuity, patterns, and more. Children complete leveled challenges, from simple (stacking blocks to recreate a pattern on a picture) to advanced (thinking of a word that ends with a specific letter and finding the correct blocks to spell the word.) Even children who are not ready for the actual challenges can enjoy these blocks by using them like regular blocks, or by practicing color recognition, letter recognition, and counting with an adult. Kids can play this alone, or challenge others.

Camelot Junior, by Smart Games

Camelot Jr. 
Ages: 4 to 9
Number of Players: 1 or more
This game requires players to follow directions in order to build a bridge that will reunite a knight and a princess. The only thing I don't like about this game is that is based on the traditional fairy tale theme of a knight rescuing "his" princess. But you can always say that the knight and princess are best friends who haven't seen each other in a while... or have the princess rescue the knight!

Bunny Peek a Boo By Thinkfun

 
Bunny Peek A Boo
Ages: 2 to 5
Number of players: 1 or more
This game requires children to look at pictures, and arrange three wooden blocks and a toy bunny to match the picture. Children practice concepts such as "in," "out," "next to," "upside down", etc. A great first logic game for preschoolers!
This toy has won several awards, including the Parents Choice Silver Award.
I even found a video where a small child demonstrates the game for his parents!

Thinkfun Roll And Play

 
ThinkFun Roll And Play
Ages: 18 months and up.
Number of players: 1 or more. (Toddlers will need an older child or an adult to guide them through this one!)
This may be a toddler's first real game. To play, the child rolls the large, soft die, and then chooses a card that matches the color the die lands on. Each card contains a simple direction, such as "Clap your hands," "Make a sound like a dog," or "Count five fingers." Little ones will learn about taking turns, following directions, and more, while also practicing skills like counting, color recognition, etc. It comes with a parent guide to help parents make the most of this toy for their children.
This would make a great small group game for an Early Childhood Special Education class or special ed Life Skills class!

Melissa And Doug Shape Sorter

Melissa And Doug Shape Sorting Cube
Ages: 18 months to 4 years
This is a classic toy that allows children to practice problem solving as they figure out which shapes will go through which holes. The lid is made to fit loosely so that tiny hands can pry it off and dump the shapes out to start over.
This product won the Scholastic Parent & Child: Teacher's Picks in April 2006.
Although this is a classic toy for toddlers and preschoolers, it could definitely be used for older children as well! It can help children with various special needs practice learning shapes, colors, problem solving, and fine motor skills.