If you’re looking for some awesome gifts for children with additional needs, look no further. Here you’ll find a whole range of multi-sensory and special needs toys, from indoor swings and trampolines to lamps that are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
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When it comes to gifting, thoughtful choices matter more than ever. It’s not about buying into the latest trend — it’s about finding something that will genuinely spark joy and help a child thrive.
As a parent of a child with additional needs, what we look for are toys with a purpose — ones that support motor skills, muscle tone, balance, strength, and a sense of calm, while still being lots of fun.
These gift ideas for children with additional needs cover everything from movement and coordination to relaxation and sensory play.
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Great Gifts for Children with Additional Needs
Peanut Ball
Used by therapists around the world, peanut-shaped balls have been shown to enhance balance (vestibular input), improve gross motor skills, and build core strength by working the abdomen.
They’re particularly good for children with developmental delays, low muscle tone, or sensory-seeking behaviours.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
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Body Sock
Made with a light, stretchy, breathable material, a body sock offers a fun and unusual sensory experience.
Body socks are specifically designed to promote spatial awareness, balance, strength and creativity.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
How Cool Are These?
Finding accessible shoes for kids with special needs can be a real challenge, but just look at how functional (and fun) these shoes are!
Scooter Board
Often used as part of a sensory diet, scooter boards encourage kids to build upper and lower body strength and motor planning, and work well both indoors and outdoors.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
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Wiggle Cushion
With a bumpy tactile surface, these inflatable sensory chair cushions are perfect for children who crave movement and find it hard to concentrate when sitting still.
Lightweight and portable, they’re less intrusive than a therapy ball and offer a discreet outlet for movement for kids of all ages.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
LEGO
The sky’s the limit when it comes to building with LEGO. A big box of bricks and pieces offers a unique sensory experience and is perfect for all ages. LEGO has also developed Braille bricks to help blind and visually impaired children learn through play.
If your child prefers to have specific things to build and clear steps to follow, take some inspiration from these free LEGO instructions and learn how to build everything from unicorns and rainbows to Minions and Yoda!
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Looking For More?
Sign in (or create a free account) to download more FREE printables, like this 30 Day LEGO Challenge!
Fine Motor Tool Set
A handy pack of tools ideal for developing the muscles used in writing and fine motor skills — the Gator Grabber, in particular, is great for building a pincer grip. The set comes with four brightly coloured, durable tools that every household could use.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Indoor Swing
Many children with sensory issues feel a sense of calm when they swing, which is why a cocoon-style swing can make such a soothing gift.
Swings can help promote vestibular orientation, relaxation, motor planning and sensory integration.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Weighted Blanket
For some children with sensory issues, gentle pressure on the body can offer a sense of security, helping them feel calmer and more relaxed. Weighted blankets distribute this pressure evenly across the body and are often used to support better sleep and reduce stress and anxiety.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Chewelry
These chew necklaces — or “chewelry” — make a great gift or stocking filler, offering a safe, non-toxic alternative to chewing on hands, clothes or other toys.
They can help reduce anxiety and stress, particularly for children with sensory processing differences.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Stress and Squeeze Balls
Good for strengthening hand, wrist and forearm muscles, and often used in physical therapy, squeeze balls can also help distract from stress and anxiety through repetitive squeezing.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Pom String Balls
These lightweight toys fit neatly in the palm of the hand and are a good weight for play. Easy to carry around, they help relieve stress and anxiety and work well for kids with autism, ADHD and other sensory processing needs.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Stretch Strings
Great for play, but also for exercising arm and hand muscles, these stretchy strings can be pulled, twirled, wrapped and squeezed into almost any shape — and they bounce right back.
They’re strong, durable, hypoallergenic and free of BPAs, phthalates and latex.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
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Indoor Trampoline
For children who need to move a lot to stay regulated, an indoor trampoline offers a safe and stable outlet to let off steam.
Jumping helps develop balance and coordination, all from the comfort of home, whatever the weather.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Glitter Lamp
Lava or glitter lamps can be a great tool for children with sensory sensitivities, thanks to their hypnotic effect. The slow flow of liquid provides gentle visual stimulation, creating a soothing environment that helps little ones unwind.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Melissa & Doug
We love Melissa & Doug toys — they’re beautifully made wooden toys that also encourage fine motor skills, cognitive development, physical activity, and help kids discover their interests and passions.
There are plenty to choose from, but here are some of our favourites:
This Wooden Latches Board is an entertaining and educational play board that helps kids build dexterity as they navigate latches and locks that hook, snap, click and slide.
It’s designed to build both fine and gross motor skills, while introducing colours, numbers, animals and more.
This hands-on toy is sturdy, easy to store, and easy to pack and bring along.
Another great board toy is this inviting Basic Skills Board.
It includes a buckle (belt and seat belt), button, lace and snap — great for helping children practise tying and zipping their way toward independent dressing.
The board’s pieces are removable and work together to strengthen fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
These Primary Lacing Beads are great for developing fine motor, cognitive and visual perception skills, and for building hand-eye coordination.
The wooden bead set includes beads in five distinct shapes and six bright colours, easy for little hands to grasp.
Two laces are included, thin enough to let the beads thread on smoothly, which helps keep frustration levels low.
Get to grips with numbers and animals with this Magnetic Wand Number Maze.
It’s designed to build number recognition and counting skills, while also improving hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
Slide the attached magnetic wand over the board and drag it along the path to move the beads into place, then shake to mix them up again — offering plenty of ongoing play and learning.
Does your child like a plan and clear details? If so, try My First Magnetic Calendar, which can help satisfy the need for structure and information.
This daily magnetic calendar can be used to display the day of the week, date, weather and special events.
It includes 82 magnets covering years, months, dates, days of the week, holidays, special events, emotions, and a sliding temperature indicator.
There’s even a space to post their mood — a lovely way to open up communication and help children name their own emotions.
Quiet Books
These portable fabric books, full of fun and educational activities, are perfect for teaching new skills while keeping children occupied in the car, at home or on the go.
Pages vary from book to book, but each offers a chance to learn, create and explore.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
Moluk Bilibo
The multi-award-winning Bilibo is one of the most innovative and versatile open-ended toys around, thanks to its simple, magically attractive design.
Its iconic shell shape and bright colours immediately appeal to children and spark curiosity and inventiveness. Bilibos are wonderful for building a sense of space, hand-eye coordination, and open-ended play.
You can buy here from Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for when buying a gift for a child with additional needs?
Look for toys with a clear purpose — something that supports movement, calm, fine motor skills or communication, rather than just the latest trend. Many of the ideas above, like weighted blankets, chew necklaces and sensory swings, are chosen specifically for the sensory or developmental support they offer, not just for play value.
What are the best sensory toys for children with autism or ADHD?
Toys that offer movement, deep pressure or repetitive tactile input tend to work well, including peanut balls, body socks, wiggle cushions, weighted blankets and squeeze or pom string balls. Every child is different, so it’s worth thinking about whether your child seeks out or avoids sensory input before choosing.
Are chew necklaces safe for children who chew for sensory reasons?
Chewelry is designed as a safe, non-toxic alternative to chewing on hands, clothing or other objects, and can help reduce anxiety for children who seek this kind of input. As with any small item, it’s worth checking the manufacturer’s age and safety guidance before buying.
Do weighted blankets actually help children relax?
Many parents and therapists find that the even, gentle pressure of a weighted blanket helps some children feel calmer and settle more easily at bedtime. If your child has any medical condition, it’s best to check with their GP or occupational therapist before introducing a weighted blanket.
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What other gift ideas for children with additional needs would you recommend? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
