Written by
Sophie Bell | 31 Jan 2024
BabyCentre selects products based on the research of our editors and the wisdom of parents in the BabyCentre Community. All prices and details are accurate at the time of publication. We may earn a commission from shopping links.
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iStock.com / lostinbids
Best sensory toys for autistic children
- Best travel sensory toy:
- Best creative sensory toy:
- Best Montessori sensory toy:
- Best sensory fidget toy:
- Best multipurpose sensory toy:
- Best sensory play tent:
- Best sensory light:
- Best sensory play mat:
- Best role-play sensory toy:
- Best educational sensory toy:
If you’re the parent of an autistic child or a child with other special educational needs, you may find that sensory toys can help them with learning, to get the best out of playtime or to calm them down if they’re overstimulated.
We’ve researched the best sensory toys out there and spoke to an experienced mum to give you a complete guide to buying sensory toys for your autistic child.
What should you look for when buying a sensory toy?
BabyCentre’s Rachel gave her expert advice from personal experience as mum to four-year-old George who is autistic and has developmental delay.
When buying sensory toys for your little one you should consider:
- Your child’s age. Make sure the toy is suitable and safe for their develomental age according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- What you want them to get from playing with the toy. Do you want to help them to relax? Do you want to support their learning? Or is it all about having fun?
- What you think they will enjoy. You know your child best, so choose something you think they’ll like.
Rachel said "when my son was younger I would make sure things weren’t too small or had pieces he could put in his mouth. I look for toys and the activities that he enjoys and will benefit the most from."
Rachel explained that cost is important to consider when choosing toys too. "Budget is a big factor too. I always research online and ask other parents for reviews or feedback."
Make sure to check reviews and product descriptions carefully to make sure the toy will suit the specific needs of your child. That way, you’re not spending money on something they won’t use.
How can sensory toys help you and your autistic child?
Rachel told us that in her experience, sensory toys are great to support her son when he needs to relax. "My little boy can get over stimulated and we find sensory toys help to relax and calm him. It’s a great way for him to learn through touch and play, but also great for helping him through an anxious time or moment."
Rachel said sensory toys have also helped her son to engage in more interactive play.
Which types of sensory toys are best for your child?
The best sensory toy will depend on your child’s needs and what they enjoy. Rachel said that her son "… loves pop its and kinetic sand. He loves to watch lights moving around, so he has a projector night light for going to sleep. He also loves to play with water, he has a mud kitchen in the garden and it’s his best friend come rain or shine."
There are lots of different sensory toys available, so you may need to try a few different types until you find something your child really engages with.
Are there any sensory toys you should avoid and why?
Rachel advised that the sensory toys to avoid will depend on the individual. "It depends what your child’s needs are. My little boy doesn’t like loud noises or sounds so I would look for quiet, calming ones. I don’t think there are any to avoid it’s all about finding the right ones for your child. Each child’s needs are different, one toy might suit one child but not another. Sensory is unique to each child."
Our picks of the best sensory toys for autistic kids in the UK 2024
Why trust us?
BabyCenter's reviews are created based on parents' real-life experiences using products - experiences of editors and writers who are parents themselves, and also of the millions of parents and pregnant women who make up the BabyCenter Community. Our editorial team uses these insights, as well as feedback from the doctors and other experts on our Medical Advisory Board, to give you accurate and fact-based information, including the pros and cons of different products. That way, you can decide what's best for you and your family.
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Best sound & light sensory toy
One Fire night light
Photo credit:
Amazon
This night light has eight different projections to choose from, including dinosaurs, ocean, unicorns and space. It features a speaker with Bluetooth connectivity too, so you can play any music of your choice.
Combine the soothing lights with sounds or music your little one likes or uses to calm down. You can set a timer for 15, 30 or 60 minutes, and it comes with an easy-to-use remote control too, so if you have an older child they’ll have no problem using this on their own.
Specs
- Age range: from birth
- USB rechargeable battery
Best travel sensory toy
Hahaland 7-in-1 busy board
Photo credit:
Amazon
This busy board will help your child to learn about numbers, the alphabet, colours, shapes, animals and the weather. It’s great for developing fine motor skills, and there’s loads of toggles, buckles and zips to engage your child’s sense of touch.
You can separate the individual boards, allowing multiple kids to play at once, or zip them all together as a super convenient travel toy. This busy board is a great safe, child-led learning tool.
Specs
- Age range: 3+ years
- Lightweight, non-toxic soft fabric and felt
Best creative sensory toy
Orsen LCD writing tablet
Photo credit:
Amazon
This writing pad allows for endless doodles that are easy to erase with a click of a button when they’re ready to draw something new. Its chunky dinosaur shape and 8.5-inch screen means that it’s great for little hands.
The small size also means that it’s easy to pop in a bag for a great sensory toy for when you’re travelling or on the go.
Specs
- Age range: 2+ years
- Built-in battery with 6 month lifespan
Best Montessori sensory toy
Hellowood wooden activity cube
Photo credit:
Amazon
This 8-in-1 activity cube will engage your little one with bright colours and loads of fun features that encourage your child’s development. There’s a bead maze, learning clock, abacus, spinning gears and xylophone for them to touch and interact with.
The cube converts into a storage box that holds all the parts too, making cleanup really easy. It also features bonus word cards to help your little one's language development.
Specs
- Age range: 12+ months
- Made of natural solid wood
Best sensory fidget toy
Abeec giant jiggly ball
Photo credit:
Amazon
These cute giant jiggly balls can be squeezed and stretched, making them the perfect fidget toys to ease stress and anxiety. There are three different designs to choose from, so there’s sure to be one your little one will love.
Specs
- Age range: 3+ years
- Size: 21 x 21 cm
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Best multipurpose sensory toy
Inspire My Play tuff tray with lid
Photo credit:
Amazon
This tuff tray is perfect for setting up sensory activities with sand and water, as well as crafting activities and other independent play. The lid doubles up as a shallow tray and it has an airtight seal, making it perfect for storing your sensory play supplies. There are six removable inserts to make organising your equipment and play activities a breeze.
Perfect for kids who love sorting activities, as well as messy sensory play; the only limit is your imagination!
Specs
- Age range: from birth
- Size: 43 x 43 x 9 cm
Best sensory play tent
Odoxia sensory tent
Photo credit:
Amazon
You can create a comfortable and calming place for your child to relax in with this sensory blackout tent that is designed for indoor use.
If your child can become overstimulated this tent could provide a great safe space for them to take a break. You could also create your own sensory room using this tent by adding coloured lights or a projector.
Specs
- Age range: all ages
- Enough space for 2 people (smaller 1-person version also available)
Best sensory light
Playlearn fibre optic colour changing lamp
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying Options:
This colour changing lamp is perfect for a sensory tent or room. Convenient and portable with a crystal-effect base, it features four calming colours for a meditative experience. You’ll need three AA batteries for this lamp that aren’t included.
Specs
- Age range: all ages
- Size: 22cm tall
Best sensory play mat
Beetoy sensory bean bag toy set
Photo credit:
Amazon
Buying Options:
This double-sided sensory play mat comes with numbered bean bags, which are great fun to squish and play with - some featuring squeakers and bells for an all-round sensory experience.
What's more, it's also designed to help your little one learn about numbers as they play, and features several fun maths games.The play mat cleverly folds up into a bag that fits all the beanbag inside for easy storage and travel.
Specs
- Age range: 3+ years
- Includes play mat and 10 bean bags
Best role-play sensory toy
KaeKid play food set
Photo credit:
Amazon
This play food set has pieces that you can cleverly ‘chop’ apart to reveal what’s inside, which means your little one can have fun with matching the pieces back together too.
It’s great for fine motor skills, colour matching and learning about food and nutrition.
Specs
- Age range: 3-8 years
- Includes storage basket
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Best educational sensory toy
Talking flash cards
Photo credit:
Amazon
These talking flash cards are great to support speech development. There are 112 double-sided cards included in this set, covering lots of topics like animals, daily tasks and transport. Every card has an illustration on too.
When you insert the card the machine will read the word and then you can press the repeat button to hear the pronunciation and sound effect again.
Specs
- Age range: 12+ months
- USB rechargeable; 4 hour battery life
Looking for more toy recommendations?
- Best toys for 3 year olds
- Best toys for 4 year olds
- Best toys for 5 year olds
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Sophie Bell
Sophie Bell is an editor at BabyCentre. She updates and creates health content and is responsible for email newsletters.
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