I keep a set of favorite sensory fidgets in my rolling cart. While I have a mix of different toys, three of them are my favorites. Every couple years, I need to reorder them because they disappear in backpacks and in classrooms. I just got my new ones in the mail and it reminded me to share them with you!
I use sensory toys with a variety of students. These include children with ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or autism.
There are many fidgets that you can use but these few really seem to work for me. Amazon affiliate links are included for your convenience below!
- The marble fidgets are great for students to keep in their pockets when they have to go to class. They are a small sewed tube that include a marble. They are small and discrete. Perfect for a student to grab and use in a group or for an older student to keep in his/her pocket.
- The Tangle Jr. fidgets come in a variety of textures. I use the Jr. versions. They bend and flex and fit perfectly in hand.
- The Squishy Bracelet is a nice alternative to the squishy balls and tubes and kids seems to like. The children can put it on their arm and then it is less likely to be rolling off the table and creating a distraction.
Use the links above and grab these fidgets. If you have other favorites, let me know which ones you use!
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Do you give rules about using the fidgets? If you use them during speech, how do you let them not become a distraction? Thanks Jenna! Your blog posts are so helpful.
Yes! We talk a lot about using them to keep fingers busy but eyes stay in the group. We need a lot of practice but eventually they get it! Eyes on the group, fidgets in the lap.
Gosh, your blog is so pretty. Do you think I can buy such toys for 9 yo boy?:)
Since you are a certified SLP I also want to ask for your advice about choosing sensory therapy for him, could you please give me any feedback? I am searching for the information about it beacuse I want my son to start some listening program (like http://www.sensory-therapies.com/review/the-listening-program-tlp/), but I’m not really sure… I feel like the more I read, the less I know. My son is sweet little boy who has speech problems, I just want to help him so badly.
Hi norma monika – I just came across your question about choosing sensory therapies for your son. I am an Occupational Therapist and have had the opportunity to work with some wonderful SLPs who are knowledgeable about the needs of students. However SLPs are not trained in to provide clinical suggestions to meet sensory needs. This falls more within the scope of practice of the Occupational Therapists who better understand the sensory system and how fidgets and toys can have an impact on regulating one’s body. Hope this is helpful for you and your son!