Ability Innovations
Shopping for a child who experiences the world a little differently? The right toy isn't just fun — it can help a child calm down, focus, move their body, or practice new skills. Our occupational therapists put together this guide to the sensory toys on sale this holiday season, organized by what each toy actually helps with — so you can pick the gift that fits your child, not just the trending one.
Calming & Regulation- For Kids Who Need Help Winding Down
What it helps with: settling after a busy day, transitions, bedtime, big feelings. Pairs with the clinic's article on visual schedules + sensory tools for smooth transitions.
Internal link: https://www.abilityinnovations.com/blog/taming-the-tantrums-using-a-visual-schedule-and-sensory-tools-for-smooth-transitionsnbsp
JOYIN Sensory Fidget Tubes
Four sealed sensory tubes to shake, flip, and watch settle — quiet, predictable visual input that helps kids calm down in a calm-down corner, the car, or the classroom.
URAQT Mini Animal Squishies
Soft, slow-rising animal squishies to squeeze and watch rebound — gentle tactile input and a slow, predictable motion that helps with stress relief and focus. Not for under 5.
Rainbow Color Pop Bubbles
A multi-piece fidget pack (stocking-stuffer style) — a mix of small sensory toys to squeeze, spin, and fidget with. Good as a first fidget set or classroom treasure-box prizes.
Tactile & sensory play — hands-on exploring
What it helps with: exploring textures, fine-motor practice, calm focused play. Pairs with the clinic's sensory bins article.
Internal link: https://www.abilityinnovations.com/blog/making-sensory-bins
Play Doh Bulk Pack
42 mini cans of non-toxic modeling compound in assorted colors — squishing, rolling, and pinching builds hand strength and fine-motor control, and it's a classic calm, focused activity. Great for stockings, party favors, or a classroom stash.
Nutty Toys Pop Tubes
BPA-free tubes that stretch, bend, connect, and pop — the pull-and-pop gives auditory and tactile feedback, and connecting them into shapes works fine-motor skills and creativity.
Movement & vestibular — for kids who need to move to focus
What it helps with: balance, body awareness, burning off energy so sitting still gets easier. Pairs with the clinic's vestibular processing article.
Internal link: https://www.abilityinnovations.com/blog/how-sensory-based-vestibular-processing-impacts-child-development-and-how-occupational-therapy-can-helpnbsp
Spinning Chair For Kids
A sit-and-spin chair kids can rotate in sitting, kneeling, or lying down — spinning input that supports balance, body coordination, and focus. Holds up to 150 lbs. Start slow and watch for dizziness.
Simplay3 Two Sided Wobble Disk
A two-sided disk kids rock, wobble, and spin on — flip it over and it becomes a climbing dome. Works balance and core strength, indoors or out.
Toss & Catch Ball Game
A classic toss-and-catch paddle game — throwing and catching builds hand-eye coordination, timing, and gross-motor skills, and it gets kids moving together outside.
Fine motor & pre-writing — small hands, big skills
What it helps with: hand strength, coordination, pencil readiness, independence with everyday tasks. Pairs with the clinic's daily-living-skills article.
Internal link: https://www.abilityinnovations.com/blog/nbspa-guide-to-help-with-daily-living-skills-including-sensory-challengesnbsp
Busy Board For Toddlers
A wooden busy board with clocks, latches, and moving parts — turning, flipping, and sliding builds fine-motor control and hand-eye coordination, and it's quiet enough for the car or a waiting room.
Magnetic Bird Feeding Game
A wooden tree with magnetic worms kids "feed" to the bird with the magnetic woodpecker — the grab-and-place motion practices pincer grasp and wrist control, plus colors and counting.
LCD Writing Tablet For Kids
Three lightweight doodle boards (dinosaur, unicorn, whale) with a stylus — drawing and pre-writing practice with zero mess, and one button erases it all. Great for car rides and restaurants.
Building & construction — open-ended play
What it helps with: spatial reasoning, planning, patience, and fine-motor control — plus the satisfaction of building something that stays up.
Magnetic Tiles STEM Building Blocks
104 BPA-free magnetic tiles (squares, triangles, windows, doors) plus 2 car bases — the satisfying click of magnets rewards building, and open-ended construction works spatial reasoning, planning, and fine-motor control.
Magnetic Stylized Blocks
150 magnetic building cubes for pixel-style building — snap-together blocks that hold their shape, good for towers, cities, and whatever a kid imagines. Check the listing for the exact theme/variant.
Older kids — coordination & cause-and-effect
What it helps with: hand-eye coordination, timing, and figuring out how actions cause reactions — for kids who've outgrown the toddler toys.
Remote Control Car
A 4WD stunt car that flips, spins, and drives upside-down on a simple two-button controller — steering and timing the stunts builds hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness, and the two swappable USB-C batteries give about 50 minutes of play.
Not sure which section fits your child? That's exactly what our OTs are for — bring your questions to your child's therapist, or call us at Layton (801) 618-7903 or Ogden (801) 608-8056. And if you find a toy your child loves, tell us — we'll add the best parent-tested picks to this guide.
Happy holidays from Ability Innovations — and happy playing. 💛