Raised Line And Braille Coloring and Paint Book
Ages: 2 and up
This is a coloring book that is great for blind children or children with visual impairments, because the raised lines show them where the picture is. It is also great for any children with sensory needs, and children who need to practice fine motor skills, because the raised lines can help them have more control over where they are coloring. The thick pages can be used with crayons, markers, water colors, Do-A-Dots, etc. There are only 12 pictures in the whole book, so you might want to buy Book 2 as well.
Buddha Board
Ages: 3 and up
One of the things I struggle with is relaxation and mindfulness. Actually that is two things. Oh well. The point is, it is good for me to have things that can help me "actively relax." Some people might be able to relax by just sitting quietly and meditating. I, like many others with ADHD or autism, have a lot of trouble doing that. If I have something quiet and simple that I can concentrate on, it can really help me get centered.
Buddhist monks have, throughout history, painted with water on stone. They make a picture, and then watch it slowly disappear. The Buddha board is the same idea. Painting on the board, and then watching your picture fade away, can have a strangely calming effect. You could also use it to write or draw something you're worried or upset about, and then watch it fade away, symbolically sending the thought away. Or, just have children use it to practice their writing or fine motor skills!
Wooden Marble Tree
Ages: 3 and up
Similar to a marble run, this toy involves placing marbles at the top of the tree and letting them roll down through all of the levels. But this toy is different from other marble runs, because the leaves make musical tones as the marbles land on them. This toy can help kids with fine motor skills, as well as giving them visual and auditory stimulation. Who wouldn't like this? Click this video to see and hear what the marble tree does!
Magnatab
Ages: 3 and up
This is a cool tool for helping kids practice their fine motor skills and handwriting. It is a board with the alphabet on it. Underneath the board are lots of little metal beads. Using a magnetic stylus, you trace each letter. As you trace, the little beads pop up, showing your work. When you're ready to erase, you just use your finger! The idea is that the feeling of the magnetic pull will help kids develop muscle memory for writing their letters. I can't guarantee all that... but I do think that this is a fun way to practice handwriting! You can also get Magnatabs for lowercase letters, numbers, cursive uppercase letters, and cursive lowercase letters.
Braille and ASL Blocks
Ages: 2 and up
Is there anyone out there who did not have a set of alphabet blocks when they were growing up? You know the kind I'm talking about, right? Well, the future of alphabet blocks is here!
On one side of each block is a letter of the alphabet, printed on the block in the traditional way that we've all seen before on alphabet blocks.
On another side is the letter, embossed so that a person can easily trace it with their fingers, as well as the braille cell for that letter.
On still another side is a picture of the letter being formed in American Sign Language.
Since it is a block, there are three more sides, at least one of which has a number. At least some of the blocks have an arithmetic symbol, like a plus or minus sign, so that you can even use them to practice math problems!
I should also mention that they are made from sustainable Michigan basswood.
If you ask me, these cool blocks are worth the price. Every child should have these!
I love things I can touch and squish... things that are pleasing to my sense of touch. Anything that is soft, or bumpy, or textured, or squeezable, is fascinating to me! This will probably be my favorite entry in this gift guide, as I list for you some of the many putties, doughs, clays, and more, that can be offered to kids with sensory needs.
Playfoam
This is a "dough" made of lots of little foam beads that are somehow stuck together by a mysterious, not-sticky, colored substance. It has a really interesting texture that is hard for me to stop playing with. It is a little bit like a Rice Krispie treat, maybe, but not that sticky. It doesn't stick to furniture or clothing. You can mold it into shapes that you like. It supposedly does not dry out like regular clay. Here is an adorable review video for you to watch.
Bubber
I got to try this out while working at the summer camp. I probably played with it as much as the kids did! It is moldable like regular clay, but extremely lightweight, fluffy, and soft! It is non-toxic, contains no gluten, and never dries out. You can mold it into different shapes, slice it, etc. I could play with it forever!
Skwooshi
This is a type of molding dough that seems to be a combination between regular playdough, and Kinetic Sand. I have never used it so I don't know exactly how it feels like, but from what I've read, it feels a little like playdough but maybe dryer. You can squish it and mold it just like playdough. But if you pull it apart, it turns into sand that moves by itself and sort of drizzles out of your hands! I can see how this would provide me (and other sensory seekers) with hours of relaxation and fun.
Thinking Putty
I really want to try this stuff out but I haven't had the chance yet... I've just watched a whole lot of videos about it! It looks and feels a lot like "silly putty," but it also does interesting things. There are several different kinds. The kind I thought was the coolest was the Super Scarab, which has sort of a metallic gleen to it.. sort of like when you look at a puddle of oil and you can see different colors shining through. They also have a kind that is magnetic, a kind that glows in the dark, a kind that changes color, a kind that is clear, and all sorts of different colors, including Mistletoe Madness and Zombie Flesh. I really want to try some! Maybe your kids will find it in their stockings this year!
Those are all the doughs and putties I know of. If you know of more, please share!
Dinosaur A to Z Puzzle
Ages: 2 and up
I've seen this puzzle in a lot of the early childhood rooms I've been in, and it is always one of the favorites! It is a high quality wooden puzzle that helps children learn the alphabet. Each puzzle piece has a letter on it. On one side of the puzzle, the letters are uppercase. On the other side, they are lowercase. I think a lot of children like the wooden puzzles because of the heavier pieces and the nice "click" sound they make when placed on the puzzle!
VEX Robotics Orbit
Ages 8 and up
This is a great gift for someone who enjoys putting together mechanical things, and is also interested in space. This requires you to follow directions to put together a working model of the 1704 Orrery Planetary Machine.As you turn the crank, you can watch the earth move around the sun, and the sun move around the earth. There is a chart on the device that lets you see how much time is passing, as well as the phases of the moon. I'm pretty sure there are some kids out there who would quickly become obsessed with this toy!
Space Spinner
Ages: 6 and up
Number of players: 2-4
This game involves putting small balls into a flying saucer, and then spinning the spinner so fast that the balls fly out and land inside a rocket ship. The first person to get all of their balls inside the rocket ship is the winner.
I was befuddled by the description of this game, so I had to look up more information. I found a video where someone demonstrates the game at the 2014 Toy Fair, and now it makes much more sense to me! The game uses centrifugal force, that helpful law of gravity that keeps you from falling out of the Gravitron at the carnival. You have one ball on the platform, you start spinning your saucer over the ball to get the ball captured inside it, and then you have to keep spinning your saucer to get the ball over to the rocket ship, where you can drop it in. Only one person can drop a ball in at a time, so you have to race with others to get your ball over there.
The only problem I can see with this game is that, if you have kids who have trouble with "sportsmanship" or handling frustration and anger, this could quickly escalate. I can see all of those little arms shoving each other out of the way, until one is pulling the other's hair, and it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt! BUT it still definitely looks like a cool game. If your child does have trouble handling competitive games, maybe you could start by playing it alone with him, so he can practice with someone who is understanding and accepting and won't hit him back. I'd really like to try this game. It looks intriguing! Watch this video to see for yourself.
Bellz
Ages: 6 and up
Number of Players: 2 to 4
This is a game that is fun for the whole family, and different from most games I've seen! The game consists of wands with magnets on them, and magnetic bells of different colors. When it is your turn, you have to use the wand to pick up as many bells of a certain color as you can... but you can't put down any of the bells! You can make a string of bells or a cluster or whatever you want. The only catch is you can't accidentally pick up any bells of another color. So, if you are supposed to be getting green bells, and a red one accidentally sticks to your wand, your turn is over! This can be a good way of practicing fine motor skills and patience. The game board actually doubles as a carrying case for all the bells, so you can easily take it with you on trips to the doctor's office, or wherever, to play while you wait!
Who says all building blocks have to look the same? Here are some cool, unique choices that will inspire builders to get busy.
Barkless Tree Blocks
Ages: All!
Eco-friendly blocks made out of real branches. These beautiful blocks will add something special to any child's play room!
Magz Bricks
Ages: 3 and up
These bricks are magnetic! Feel the magnetic force as you build!
Brain Flakes
Ages: 3 and up
Each Brain Flake is shaped sort of like a snow flake. You can lock the flakes together to create awesome 3-D works of art!
Hexactly
Ages 3 and up
These blocks are shaped like hexagons, and can be balanced in wacky and surprising ways. Includes a booklet with challenges that kids can try to make.
Straws And Connectors
Ages 3 and up
The name says it all! These are basically large plastic straws, with little pieces you can use to connect them to each other. I saw these used at a child care event where I was working. The kids were using them to build a fort. They'd use the straws to create the structure of the fort, and then they covered it with blankets or table cloths to make walls.
Magformers
Ages: 3 and up
These magnetic shapes can be used to make all sorts of cool 3-D designs!
Light Stax
Ages: 3 and up
What is special about these blocks? The base is powered. As you add each block onto the base, it lights up!
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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
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!)
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!
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!
