Top 10 Sensory Stocking Stuffers

For those of you who have sensory seekers in your life with a serious need to fidget, squeeze, and sniff, here are the Top 10 Sensory Stocking Stuffers! Let me know if there's anything I left off the list!

https://lifehack.media/top-sensory-stocking-stuffers

Heatable Hooty

The following info was originally published on my blog Diary Of An Alien.


At Marshalls, I found this really cool thing that I wanted to get for my nephew, which is a stuffed animal that can be microwaved to make it warm, and it has a calming scent in it. Only then I remembered that my brother and sister-in-law don't have a microwave! I thought maybe they could put it in the oven instead, but my mom said it would probably catch on fire that way, so I decided to forgo getting one for Squeak for the time being. But the stuffed animals were so adorable! And you know I have a soft place in my heart for stuffed animals. I also have a soft place in my heart for things that smell good. I am a very sensory-seeking person. So I ended up getting one for myself! Meet my new Heatable Hooty! 

Bringing Hooty home

Hooty warming up

I popped Hooty in the microwave for 90 seconds, as directed by the box. When I took him out, he was all warm and smelled pleasantly of lavender! It is really cold in my house, and even though I am wearing wool pants under my jeans and also a fleece sweatshirt, I was still really cold, so I was glad to have Hooty to warm me up! I am planning to heat him up again right before I go to bed, so I can put him on my pillow and he can help me fall asleep. I was thinking to myself that he'd probably also come in really handy whenever I have an earache, or a headache, because I can just lay right on him and let him relax my muscles.

Hooty comforts me and keeps me warm!

This is not a sponsored review... obviously, seeing as how I just told you I bought Hooty at Marshalls with my own money a few hours ago... but I thought I would post about him anyways because I like him, and some people might appreciate interesting ideas for holiday or birthday presents for kids. 

When I was looking at some of the Amazon reviews, a few people worried that this would be a really dangerous toy to give a kid. So I just wanted to point out, Hooty is not necessarily meant to be a toy. He's more of a comfort item. He'd make a nice stuffed animal even if you didn't heat him up. But definitely, if he's going to be heated, an adult should do the heating. If Hooty gets too hot, and your child cuddles him, obviously there is a burning risk. So make sure to follow the directions for microwaving, and don't put him in there for too long. I put him in for a minute and a half, and he was nice and toasty. If you're microwaving him for a child, make sure to test him to make sure he's not too hot. His stomach seems to get the hottest, so pay special attention to that area. I also shook him around a little to mix up the material inside so there wouldn't be any super "hot spots." 

Okay, now you can mock me for being like a little kid and getting a stuffed heatable animal! You know you would enjoy one too. He smells so nice, even now that he's cooled off, and he's so soft and squishy!

Another thing I just thought of... I like the smell of lavender, but not everyone does. I think the company chose lavender as the scent because it is a naturally calming aroma. A lot of baby lotions made with natural ingredients use lavender, especially those meant to help the baby fall asleep or be comforted. But if a child hates the smell, or is really sensitive to it and gets headaches or something, it won't work! So you might want to check before you get this as a gift for a child you don't know well.

Braille and ASL Blocks

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!

Cloud b Night Light

This is another thing I wish I had. Many people with various special needs have trouble falling asleep at night. Our minds tend to go to quickly, or our bodies have too much energy, or both. It is a good idea to do as much as you can to create a calming, pleasant sleeping environment. I love the idea of a Cloud b night light. They are meant for children as young as birth, but can definitely be enjoyed by people of all ages. Here are some of the different types they have available.




Tranquil Turtle
This turtle projects an underwater effect around the room. It also has a sound machine that can play either a lullaby, or the sound of ocean waves.



Twilight Buddies
These animals project constellations onto the ceiling and walls. They come in many different options, including alligator, bunny, hippo, ladybug, horse, pegasus, unicorn, blue turtle, mocha turtle, and purple turtle. Some of them are cheaper than others. The least expensive one I found was the ladybug, which was just under $27. The most expensive one was the original, the mocha turtle, which was $56. I don't know why... they all seem to do the same things!

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Twinkles To Go Octopus
This is a smaller, less expensive, more portable version of the Twilight Buddies. It projects stars on the ceiling and walls as well. You can also buy it in pink.


Stay Asleep Hedgehog
This hedgehog does several things.  First of all, unlike a regular night light, you can snuggle with it. At night, it glows with a calming amber light and plays a lullaby. It has a timer to shut it off after 45 minutes. Throughout the night, it can be reactivated if the baby wakes up and starts to move around. In the morning, it glows green and plays a cheerful "Wake up" song. Very awesome!


Twinkling Firefly 
This one is another snuggly nightlight that can get in bed with you. It's belly twinkles! It has two sound options... rain with crickets chirping, or a lullaby. You can also choose to turn the music off and just have the twinkling lights. It also has a timer to shut itself off after 45 minutes.


Glow Cuddles Bear
This one may be my favorite, and not just because I have a soft spot for teddybears. This bear has a heartbeat! (You can also put it on vibrate instead.) He  glows softly. The heart can be removed so that you can machine wash the bear. There is a bunny version as well. LOVE IT!


Twilight Sunshine Owl
I don't know why this has the word "sunshine" in it, because it is really for night time. It projects stars onto the walls and ceiling, cycling through the colors blue, green and red.

Whichever one of these you choose, it will be sure to help provide a comforting night of sleep!

Beyond Playdough

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!

Weighted Blanket

Children with autism, ADHD, and various other special needs are often calmed and centered by holding, pushing, or being covered with a heavy object. Kristi Samson, the owner of Peace Weighted Products and also the mother of two children with special needs, makes weighted stuffed animals and other things for children. She started her store in order to provide weighted products at a more affordable price than many of the other stores out there sell. I had the opportunity to review one of her products recently (which I will be adding to my other blog soon) and my opinion is that her products are high quality, durable, and loveable.

One way that weighted products can be used is to help children sleep better, in the form of a weighted blanket. When a weighted blanket is placed over a child in his bed, the deep pressure is calming and comforting, and can help him to relax enough to fall asleep. Kristi's blankets come in small (shorter than a crib or toddler bed mattress, and weighing 2 to 6 pounds), medium (longer than a toddler mattress but shorter than a twin bed mattress, and weighing 4 to 10 pounds), twin (fitted for a twin bed, and weighing 5 to 15 pounds) or full-size (weighing 10 to 25 pounds.)

The blankets are weighted with nontoxic poly beads. When you order a blanket, you get to choose how much weight you want added. Occupational therapists commonly recommend the following formula for how much weight to add to a blanket: 10% of the child's weight, plus 1 or 2 pounds. So, if your child weighs 60 pounds, you might want a 7 to 8 pound blanket. The objective is to provide comfort and relaxation, not to squash the child under a very heavy blanket! This formula would also work for adults... if an adult weighs 140 pounds, you could choose a 15 to 16 pound blanket.

Kristi's blankets come in all types of designs... solid colors, such as purple, red or turquoise; licensed pictures such as Dora the Explorer, Frozen or Spiderman; or fun patterns such as airplanes or horses.
They are washer and dryer safe. She sews them from scratch, so you know you are getting something made with Tender Loving Care. To order one for someone you love, check out her website. I highly recommend it!

If you are looking for a smaller or less expensive weighted product, consider a weighted lap pad, or neck wrap. They also have weighted stuffed animals, my personal favorite!

Weighted Stuffed Animal

Children with autism, ADHD, and various other special needs are often calmed and centered by holding, pushing, or being covered with a heavy object. Kristi Samson, the owner of Peace Weighted Products and also the mother of two children with special needs, makes weighted stuffed animals and other things for children. She started her store in order to provide weighted products at a more affordable price than many of the other stores out there sell. I had the opportunity to review one of her products recently (which I will be adding to my other blog soon) and my opinion is that her products are high quality, durable, and loveable.

The weighted stuffed animals she makes include a cow, a monkey, a pig, dogs, cats, a dinosaur, a giraffe, a ladybug, teddy bears, a lion, and a tiger. These stuffed animals look just like a regular stuffed animal you'd find in a toy store, with sweet faces and soft fur. They are weighted with bean bag pouches filled with nontoxic aquarium gravel. Stuffing is then added around the bean bag pouches, so they are still soft and cuddly instead of crunchy!

Kristi suggests many ways that a weighted stuffed animal can be used by a child. For instance, a child can carry his stuffed animal while going on an errand with his family, such as to the grocery store. The heavy object in his arms serves to help him stay calm and grounded, while also keeping his hands busy and less likely to touch random objects. It can act as a transitional object that the child can bring with him from home, to school and other places.

 You can read more about the stuffed animals, and about her ideas for their use, here. 
To see all of the stuffed animals that are currently available, and to purchase one, visit the Peace Weighted Products website.

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!

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!)

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!