27 Fun Finds for Your Child’s Sensory Diet

Fun Finds Friday – Tools for Sensory Diet Activities!

It’s no secret that my boys both have Sensory Processing Disorder (or “sensory challenges” as I prefer to call it).  Like many kids, especially those with SPD, they have unique challenges related to how they sense and experience the world around them.  Some kids with SPD are adverse to sensory stimulation (touch, sight, sounds, movements, etc.) while others crave it and seek it out.  (My boys are seekers; always looking for ways to touch, bounce, hear themselves, and spin.)

A sensory diet is a plan of activities that can help a child with Sensory Processing Disorder regulate her sensory system, fulfill her sensory needs, and improve her sensory challenges.

If you’re interested in more information about the different forms Sensory Processing challenges can take, check out my friend Dayna’s book, Sensory Processing 101.

But if you already know your child’s unique sensory challenges and needs (which I highly recommend consulting with your doctor and an Occupational Therapist about) and are looking for some tools for your child’s “sensory diet”, here are some fun finds to try…

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy.

27 Fun Finds for Your Child’s Sensory Diet

• A  Sensory Fix™ Kit –  Based on her own experience with a child with sensory needs, Dayna of Lemon Lime Adventures and Project Sensory put together the ultimate kit for Sensory Kids!  Her Sensory Fix™ backpack comes loaded with over 15 sensory tools (fidgets, earmuffs, chewable jewelry, etc.) to deal with varying sensory challenges.  What I love most about Sensory Fix™ is that it also includes guides for the parent on how and when to use all of the sensory tools.
• Fun Hand Fidgets – Fidgets are great for keeping sensory seeker’s hands busy.  Or for exposing sensory avoiders to new textures.  Here are some of our favorites:
  • • Frick Frack Fidget
    • Tangle Fidget
    • Fidget Cube
• Chewy Jewelry – Give your little chewer something appropriate to chew on.  Check out these safe and stylish chewable jewelry options:
  • Chew Brick Necklace
  • Chewable Coil Necklace
  • Krypto-bite Gem Necklace
• Resistance Bands – Resistance bands can be used in so many ways to give proprioceptive input to sensory kids.  Handee Band Kit for Kids includes an exercise band and a flip book with ways to use it.
• Big Exercise Balls – My kids can’t get enough of our exercise balls.  They get their bounces out sitting on them, and we use them for stretching and core strengthening as recommended by the Occupational Therapist.  Check these out:
  • Exercise Balls in a Variety of Sizes
  • A Therapy Ball Activities Fun Deck that’s full of fun way to use your exercise ball.
• Mini Exercise and Weighted Balls – Smaller exercise balls can be used in lots of fun ways, too.  From rolling to playing catch to squeezing between knees and hands.  My kids like rolling and tossing weighted balls (with supervision), too, for good “heavy work” to get proprioceptive input.

• “Stepping Stones” – J.C.’s OT used to bring rubbery “stepping stone” things to set up obstacle courses for him; he loved them!  I found some similar ones on Amazon:
  • Spiky Balance Pods
  • Numbered Step-N-Stones
  • Varying Height Riverstones
• A Crash Pad – A crash pad can be a big investment, but a good investment if you have sensory seekers.  It gives them a safe place to do their falling and crashing.  We have yet to invest in one because of limited space, but judging by the goose-egg on J.C.’s forehead, now might be the right time!  This Skil-Care Crash Pad has good reviews on Amazon, and you can get a deal if you purchase it with an extra removable cover.
• Activity Cards – Kids get a kick out of picking a card from a deck to do a random activity.  Or you could choose them ahead of time to make add to a sensory diet chart.  Here are some great activity card sets from Amazon:
  • In-Sync Activity Cards (from the Author of the popular book, The Out-of-Sync Child)
  • Sensory Diet Card Deck
  • Auditory Memory Fun Deck
• Idea Boxes – I found this fun Etsy shop that offers “Idea Boxes” for kids and families full of wooden coins with different ideas on them.  Check out some that would be great to incorporate into a sensory diet:
  • Five Senses Idea Box
  • Wiggle Box
  • Life Skills Idea Box
• Sensory Bins & Fine Motor Tools – Sensory bins are so great for enticing sensory avoiders and can be super soothing to sensory seekers.  Just fill a bin with a sensory bin filler (there are lots of great ideas at Little Bins for Little Hands!), add some fine motor tools and let ’em at it.  Here are some fun finds for sensory bins and even some sensory bin sets all ready to go:
  • Water Beads
  • Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set
  • Plastic Beaker Set
  • Natural Wood Sensory Bin Tools
  • Alphabet Soup Sensory Bin Set
  • 3 Month Sensory Bin Membership

Make sure to sign up for Amazon Prime to get free shipping on any of the Fun Finds featured today!

Do you have a child with SPD?  Does he or she have a sensory diet that you go by?  I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Some Sensory Play Ideas from B-Inspired Mama:

• Cute Carrot Patch Sensory Play
• Alphabet Corn Bin Sensory Play
• Toddler Sensory Play Exploring Circles
• Some Monster Eyes Sensory Play that’s Fun and Not Spooky
• Rainbow Light Table Play

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see my disclosure policy.