PlayWell's Sensory Wellness Holiday Gift Guide 2024

10 minute read

Written by

Rita Sverdlova, OTR/L

Searching for holiday gifts that go beyond just play? Our 2024 Sensory Wellness Holiday Gift Guide is filled with carefully selected items designed to promote sensory wellness, enhance play skills, and support developmental growth. Each product in this guide is chosen by child development experts to provide engaging, purposeful play for children of all abilities. From tools that encourage sensory exploration to toys that build fine motor skills, these gifts support essential milestones while keeping play fun and interactive. Explore our top recommendations below for toys and tools that make a real difference in a child’s growth and well-being!

1. Stimm Jewelry

Stimm Jewelry combines sophisticated, wearable designs with subtle textures and fidget-friendly features. Stimm Jewlery’s pieces provide an elevated, discreet way to support your ability to focus. From their stunning Stimm Necklaces to their discreet Stimm Fidget Rings, their beautiful jewelry line makes the perfect gift for this holiday season.

2. Ark Therapeutic Pegables™

Ark Therapeutic Pegables are fun, colorful, and engaging fine motor toys designed to support sensory development and hand-eye coordination. They promote tactile exploration and fine motor skills through gripping, fitting, and manipulating pieces. Perfect for a holiday gift, they offer sensory benefits like enhancing focus, strengthening hand muscles, and providing a calming, tactile experience for kids and adults alike.

3. Ark Therapeutic Chewlery

Ark Therapeutic Chewlery offers stylish and discreet sensory tools designed to provide oral motor input and help with self-regulation. Made from safe, durable materials, these chewable necklaces and bracelets are ideal for individuals who need to satisfy oral sensory needs while staying focused or calm. A thoughtful holiday gift, Chewlery supports sensory processing, reduces anxiety, and encourages appropriate chewing in a fun, wearable format.

4. Ark Wingamajigs Spinning Pencil Topper Fidgets

The Ark Wingamajigs Spinning Pencil Topper Fidgets are engaging, spinning pencil toppers that offer sensory relief. Their movement provides calming visual and tactile input, helping improve focus and reduce anxiety. Great for fine motor skills, they encourage subtle, non-disruptive fidgeting during class or homework time.

5. Harkla Weighted Lap Pads

Harkla Weighted Lap Pads are cozy, animal-themed sensory tools designed to provide calming deep pressure for individuals with sensory processing needs. Perfect for use during activities like reading, homework, or car rides, these lap pads help promote focus, reduce anxiety, and improve self-regulation. A thoughtful holiday gift, they offer soothing tactile input and support emotional balance in a comforting, portable format.

6. Special Supplies Vibrating Pillow Sensory Pressure Activated

The Special Supplies Vibrating Pillow offers gentle vibrations for comfort and relaxation, making it an ideal sensory tool for individuals with sensitivities by relieving stress, promoting a sense of security, and aiding in better sleep during times of anxiety or overstimulation.

7. Special Supplies Sensory Therapy Putty with Charms

Special Supplies Sensory Therapy Putty is a fun, therapeutic putty designed for both kids and adults. This set includes 10 cute emoji charms embedded in medium strength putty, offering gentle resistance for stress relief and hand exercises. Ideal for improving hand strength, fine motor skills, and focus, it provides calming sensory input while supporting therapeutic needs. Perfect for reducing anxiety and enhancing focus.

8. Special Supplies Colorful Sensory Fidget Animal Stretchy String

Special Supplies Colorful Sensory Fidget Animal Stretchy Strings are a set of 12 vibrant, stretchy animal-themed toys designed for sensory play. Perfect for fidgeting, they help improve focus, reduce stress, and promote tactile exploration. These stretchy strings offer a fun and calming way to engage during quiet time or classroom activities.

9. Special Supplies Fun Foam Modeling Beads Play Kit

The Special Supplies FUN FOAM Modeling Foam Beads Play Kit includes five blocks of lightweight, moldable foam beads, perfect for creative sensory play. This kit encourages tactile exploration, fine motor skills, and imaginative play while providing a calming, hands-on activity. It offers a fun and mess-free way to build, shape, and engage in sensory experiences.

10. Special Supplies Liquid Motion Bubbler Toy - 4 pack

The Special Supplies Liquid Motion Bubbler Toy is a colorful, hourglass-shaped timer featuring soothing droplet movement. Perfect for sensory play, it provides calming visual stimulation and helps improve focus and relaxation. Ideal for bedrooms, kitchens, or desks, this toy doubles as both a fun sensory experience and a cool home or office decor item. The green liquid adds a vibrant touch to any space.

11. Learning Resources Froggy Feeding Fun

In one mouthful, Froggy Feeding Fun emphasizes proper handwriting position and teaches colors, counting, and much more! The adorable frogs in this set are made for small hands to squeeze while developing thumbforefinger strength critical to a firm pencil grip. Kids use small, colorful pieces to "feed" the frog, promoting hand-eye coordination and tactile exploration. Ideal for toddlers and preschoolers, this fun and educational toy encourages problem-solving and fosters sensory development in a playful, hands-on way.

12. My First Book

Watch your baby’s curiosity come alive with our animal-themed Small Hands sensory book. This Montessori-inspired fabric book invites tiny explorers to discover a world of animals while fostering early developmental skills through sensory play.

13. Battat Education Tracing Light Box – Bright Explorer 

The Battat Tracing Light Box combines calming visual stimulation with creative exploration, helping sensory-seeking kids enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and focus in a soothing, light-based environment.

14. OUTREE Sensory Chair for Kids – Inflatable Peapod

The Sensory Peapod Chair provides calming deep pressure stimulation for neurodivergent children, offering a soft, enclosed space that reduces anxiety, improves focus, and serves as the perfect spot for sensory breaks or quiet time.

15. Dynamic Movement Sensory Sox – Medium

The Sensory Sox offers soothing deep pressure input and proprioceptive feedback, promoting body awareness, coordination, and self-regulation for children through dynamic, calming movement in a soft, stretchy, and breathable fabric.

16. Peanut Shaped Bounce Desk Chair

The Peanut Shaped Bounce Chair provides a stable, sensory-friendly seating option that promotes focus and reduces restlessness by allowing neurodivergent children to bounce and wiggle, offering vestibular input and proprioceptive feedback during seated activities.

17. Harkla Sensory Swing – Indoor Pod Swing for Kids

The Harkla Sensory Swing provides a cozy, calming space for neurodivergent children, offering gentle vestibular input that reduces anxiety, improves focus, and supports self-regulation through soothing, rhythmic movement.

18. Wooden Hexagon Puzzle – Shape Pattern Brain Teaser

The Wooden Hexagon Puzzle is a hands-on STEM toy that enhances problem-solving, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills, offering neurodivergent children calming sensory input and engaging, structured play with colorful geometric patterns.

19. Melissa & Doug Around the House Sound Puzzle

The Melissa & Doug Around the House Sound Puzzle offers interactive auditory and visual stimulation, promoting sensory integration, fine motor skills, and cognitive development in toddlers and neurodivergent children through fun, engaging play with household-themed sounds.

20. Melissa & Doug Farm Sound Puzzle

The Melissa & Doug Farm Sound Puzzle introduces toddlers and neurodivergent children to farm life through realistic animal sounds, enhancing sensory engagement, fine motor skills, and cognitive development with its tactile wooden pieces and auditory feedback.

21. The Original Monkey Noodle Fidget Toy

The Original Monkey Noodle Fidget Toy offers soothing tactile stimulation, vibrant visual engagement, and stress relief through its stretchy, squishy design, helping improve focus, reduce anxiety, and enhance fine motor skills for both children and adults.

22. Mindful Maze Boards

Mindful Maze Boards provide tactile engagement and visual stimulation, enhancing fine motor skills and cognitive development while promoting mindfulness and relaxation through meditative tracing, making them beneficial for individuals with sensory sensitivities.

23. BouncyBand Wiggle Seat

The BouncyBand Wiggle Seat offers tactile stimulation and proprioceptive feedback, encouraging movement and balance while helping children release excess energy for better self-regulation, focus, and stress relief during seated activities.

24. FoamTouch Black Crash Pad with Foam Blocks

The FoamTouch Black Crash Pad with Foam Blocks provides proprioceptive input and tactile stimulation, creating a safe environment for energetic play that promotes body awareness, reduces anxiety, and encourages creative exploration for both kids and adults.

25. PicassoTiles 120pcs Hedgehog Interlocking Building Block Tiles

The PicassoTiles 120pcs Hedgehog Interlocking Building Block Tiles offer tactile exploration and visual stimulation while enhancing fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and social interaction through open-ended play, promoting creativity and emotional development.

26. Vanderfields Kids Ear Protection, Noise Cancelling Headphones Kids

Vanderfields Kids Ear Protection Noise Canceling Headphones provide effective noise reduction with comfortable, padded ear cups, helping children with sensory sensitivities feel at ease, enhance focus, promote stress relief, and protect young ears from overwhelming sounds.

27. Kids Sensory Swivel Chair

The Kids Sensory Swivel Chair is an engaging spinning chair designed for sensory play, providing a fun and dynamic experience that can help children enhance balance, coordination, and self-regulation while offering a soothing outlet for excess energy.

28. Edushape The Original Sensory Ball for Babies

The Original Sensory Ball for Babies is a vibrant, textured ball that promotes tactile exploration and sensory development, encouraging babies to engage in hands-on play that enhances fine motor skills, visual tracking, and sensory integration.

29. Multicolored Play Tunnel for Kids

This Multicolored Play Tunnel for Kids offers a fun and engaging space for imaginative play, promoting physical activity and exploration while enhancing sensory development through its vibrant colors and soft, flexible design, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor adventures.

30. River Stones

River Stones offer a fun, sensory way for kids to improve balance, coordination, and confidence. Each textured stone encourages kids to step, jump, and balance, helping develop body awareness and motor skills. Durable and stackable, they’re ideal for creating unique obstacle courses indoors or outdoors—an engaging addition to any sensory play area!

31. Rainbow Set of Sensory Mat Massage Game Mats

The Rainbow Set of Sensory Mat Massage Game Mats provides a vibrant, tactile experience to support sensory exploration, balance, and coordination. Each mat offers unique textures that stimulate touch and body awareness, making it perfect for sensory play. With durable, non-slip surfaces, these mats are ideal for creating customizable obstacle courses that encourage motor skill development and focus—perfect for any sensory space!

32. 6 Sensory Tiles

The Sensory Tiles bring engaging, touch-responsive fun to any sensory or play area. These liquid-filled tiles respond to pressure, encouraging kids to explore balance, coordination, and sensory feedback with every step. Durable, colorful, and non-slip, they’re perfect for creating dynamic paths or zones that stimulate movement and focus—an exciting addition for sensory development!

33. Two-sided Rock Around Wobble Disk and Climbing Dome

The Two-Sided Rock Around Wobble Disk and Climbing Dome is a versatile, fun addition to any play area. One side offers a wobble disk for building balance, coordination, and core strength, while the other side serves as a climbing dome to encourage active exploration and motor skill development. Durable and easy to set up indoors or outdoors, it’s perfect for keeping kids engaged and active!

34. PicassoTiles Magnetic Tiles 60pcs

The PicassoTiles 60-Piece Magnetic Tile Set offers endless creative fun while supporting fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and STEM learning. Kids can build colorful structures, explore shapes, and develop problem-solving skills—all while having fun with hands-on play. Durable and easy to connect, these tiles are perfect for both independent play and collaborative building sessions!

35. Sensory Bin, Kids Play Sand

This Sensory Bin with Kids Play Sand provides a hands-on, calming activity that enhances fine motor skills, creativity, and sensory exploration. The soft, moldable sand encourages tactile play, perfect for shaping, digging, and building. Ideal for imaginative, sensory-rich play at home or in the classroom, this bin brings the soothing benefits of sand play to any space!

36. National Geographic Magnetic Marble Run

The National Geographic Magnetic Marble Run combines STEM learning with hands-on play, allowing kids to design their own thrilling marble tracks. This engaging set promotes creativity, problem-solving, and fine motor skills as children experiment with different configurations. Durable and easy to assemble, it offers endless opportunities for exploration and learning—perfect for both solo play and group activities!

37. Fidgets Wacky Tracks

The Fidgets Wacky Tracks are perfect for sensory play and stress relief, allowing kids to bend, twist, and snap them into various shapes. These colorful, tactile tracks promote fine motor skills and creativity while providing a satisfying sensory experience. Compact and portable, they’re ideal for home, school, or on-the-go fun!

38. NeeDoh Nice Cube

The NeeDoh Nice Cube is a fun, squishy stress-relief toy that helps kids calm down and focus. This colorful, tactile cube provides a satisfying sensory experience as children squeeze, stretch, and mold it, promoting relaxation and fine motor skills. Compact and portable, it’s perfect for use at home, school, or anywhere kids need a little extra comfort!

39. Special Supplies Matching Game Sensory Discs, 10 Sets, Tactile Stimulation for Kids

A unique way to keep kids calm, relaxed, and focused, these sensory toys for kids can be used for stimulating their hands, feet, skin, and even mind while creating a multi-sensory experience. These are a great way to help children explore their natural senses including touch response, orientation, physical coordination, and even general balance (when using their feet).

40. 12 Sided Fidget Cube

The 12-Sided Fidget Cube is a versatile sensory tool designed to engage kids’ hands and minds while promoting focus and relaxation. Each side features a different tactile experience, from buttons to switches, providing endless options for fidgeting. Compact and portable, it’s perfect for use at home, school, or during travel, helping to ease anxiety and improve concentration!

41. Fidget Toys Slug

The Fidget Toys Slug is a fun, squishy sensory toy that helps kids relieve stress and improve focus. Its unique design allows for squeezing, stretching, and molding, providing a satisfying tactile experience. Lightweight and portable, it’s perfect for sensory play at home, in school, or on the go—making it an ideal companion for calming anxious moments!

42. Fat Brain Toys Squigz

Fat Brain Toys Squigz are flexible, suction-based building toys that provide sensory stimulation and encourage creativity. They support focus and calm through tactile and auditory feedback, as they pop when pulled apart. Squigz strengthen fine motor skills and coordination while fostering open-ended, hands-on play.

43. Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty is a versatile sensory tool that offers a calming and engaging experience. Stretching, twisting, and squishing the putty provides tactile and proprioceptive input, helping to reduce stress and enhance focus. This putty also supports hand strength and fine motor skills, making it a great tool for fidgeting and grounding.

44. Crayon Rocks

Crayon Rocks are ergonomically shaped crayons designed to support handwriting development in kids and toddlers. Their unique rock shape encourages a tripod grip, promoting fine motor skills and hand strength. With 16 vibrant colors in a soft red velvet bag, they add fun and creativity to drawing activities, making them ideal for both sensory play and educational growth.

45. Montessori Building Blocks

Montessori Building Blocks set includes 30 colorful, stackable pieces designed to support early learning and sensory exploration for toddlers and preschoolers. Ideal for ages 1-4, these blocks encourage fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and creativity while engaging children in hands-on STEM activities. Safe and fun, they’re a perfect gift for fostering problem-solving skills and developmental growth in young learners.

46. CUBIDI® Original Rainbow Puzzle Ball

The CUBIDI® Original Rainbow Puzzle Ball is a vibrant, handheld puzzle that challenges children to match colored balls with their corresponding rings by moving them through small openings. This engaging activity promotes focus, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills while providing sensory stimulation through tactile play. Perfect for on-the-go, quiet fidgeting.

47. Suction Cup Spinner Toys

Suction Cup Spinner Toys are engaging sensory toys ideal for toddlers ages 1-3, designed to spin when pressed. With bright colors and gentle suction, they attach to various surfaces, providing visual and tactile stimulation. Perfect for strengthening fine motor skills and focus, these spinners make a fun, calming activity for young children at home or on the go.

48. Hopper Ball with Handle

This Hopper Ball is a 20-inch, durable bounce ball with a handle, perfect for kids ages 7-9. Designed for active play, it encourages balance, coordination, and core strength while providing fun, bouncy exercise. The easy-grip handle and included hand pump make it simple and safe to enjoy indoors or outdoors.

49. Montessori Pretend Play Food

Montessori Pretend Play Food is a colorful, stackable building set designed to encourage hands-on learning for young children. Made for ages 1-4, it fosters fine motor skills, color recognition, and spatial awareness. The durable, food-safe silicone pieces are easy for little hands to grip, making this toy both fun and educational—perfect for preschoolers and toddlers learning through play.

50. Magnetic Color & Number Maze

The Magnetic Color & Number Maze is a Montessori-inspired wooden puzzle designed to teach color matching and counting for toddlers aged 3-5. With colorful magnetic pieces, it helps develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and early math concepts. This engaging activity offers a fun way for children to practice problem-solving while enhancing sensory and cognitive development.