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Choosing the right toys for kids, especially those with specific sensory needs, is both an art and a science. Toys that engage kids' minds, encourage imagination, support self-soothing and foster motor and emotional development are essential. For toddlers, kids or teens on the autism spectrum, it’s important to find toys that delight all types of learners — whether visual, auditory, tactile or kinesthetic.
Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have curated a list of toys that promote physical development, social interaction, exploration or provide a calming experience. "It's about matching the individual sensory and motor profile rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach," says Jennifer Rothman, LCSW, a professional in the childhood special needs field with over a decade of experience. She emphasizes choosing toys based on developmental level rather than age alone: "Don’t just focus on age," she advises.
Here, discover the best toys for children with autism, as recommended by our experts and licensed clinical social workers.
Pros
Encourages bilingual learning
Includes braille, number words and embossed numerals
Cons
On the pricer side
Why we picked it: This toy takes pop it fidgets to the next level with all the colors of the rainbow. Kids can push, pop and learn with this multi-function toy. The repetitive, tactile motion of using the pop it can help improve self-regulation, helping a child pay attention and stay calm.
More to know: The silicone, squishy bubbles help kids identity numbers and colors while building fine motor skills. With number words, embossed numerals and braille, your little one will be able to learn in a variety of ways. It even includes Spanish words on the other side of each bubble to promote early bilingual learning.
Age range: 2+ years
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Pros
Keeps the play area and hands mess-free
Helps hand strengthening
Cons
Can be difficult to get off your hands once you add water
Why we picked it: Kinetic Sand is a favorite among all children, but it can be especially great for sensory exploration and social play. Whether they're building a multi-room sand castle of epic proportions with this sand that easily sticks to itself or just squeezing and squishing for a satisfying feeling between their fingers.
More to know: It's also good for hand strengthening and for children who don't like sticky, messy activities. (This toy is as fun to touch as it is easy to clean up.) Playing with kinetic sand can be a calming experience to help kids stimulate their tactile senses while gaining fine motor skills.
Age range: 3+ years
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Pros
Soothing to use
Helps build motor skills
Cons
Texture is the same on each ball
Why we picked it: Similar to other sensory products, these textured balls are great for tactile exploration and can help build gross motor skills for physical development.
More to know: Great for grasping, bouncing, rolling, understanding different textures and more, this toy is the perfect size for tiny fingers. Aside from building motor skills, these sensory balls can help give kids an outlet to relax or focus on a task at hand. They also bounce nicely and can be used to play a gentle game of basketball.
Age range: 6 months+
Pros
Plays animal noises
Available in different styles
Cons
May need specific type of batteries
Why we picked it: This toy uses visual and auditory sensory stimulation to help children develop problem-solving skills and creativity, supporting the growth of visual perceptual abilities like scanning and discrimination. Kids can also practice collaborating, connecting with others or creating stories using the pieces.
More to know: Combining classic puzzle game with animal sounds means that every time your little one places a piece in the right spot, they'll be immersed in the farm. If you'd rather play sans noise, simply turn it off. Plus, it's available in a variety of styles from "around the house" to "wheels on the bus" so there's something for everyone.
Age range: 2+ years
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Pros
Squishing sensation is therapeutic
Kids can make their own creations
Cons
Why we picked it: Similar to Kinetic Sand, this toy provides sensory exploration to expand a child's ability to tolerate and manipulate different tactile experiences while learning how to develop fine motor skills. Plus, it uses tactile sensory stimulation to encourage little ones to be creative, artistic and curious in a mess-free way.
More to know: Not only will Playfoam never dry out, but this set comes in a bunch of fun colors to create the perfect visual experience. It's easy to build new shapes and take them apart for endless play. Parents can even hide objects inside for further fun and interaction.
Age range: 3+ years
Pros
Safe for infants
Hollow center and special shape to prevent gagging
Cons
Really hard surface
Why we picked it: If your little one tends to chew on their clothes, fingernails or other toys, these chewy tubes are made specifically for little mouths. These t-shaped oral tubes provide a strong surface for kids to practice their biting and chewing skills when not eating.
More to know: With a hollow center and a special design to prevent it from going too far back in their throat and causing gagging, these tubes are safe and can withstand a pretty strong bite. The safe, hard surface is a great alternative for kids who may be chewing on other less-safe items or who need to practice their bite.
Age range: 7 months+
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Pros
Includes a loop to attach to stroller bar
Doesn't have sharp edges
Cons
Can only be spot cleaned
Why we picked it: Unlike a regular book, this soft book provides tactile stimulation as well, letting kids feel different fabrics and encouraging interaction with both you and the book. Each book contains cloth pages of brightly-colored images and words, which is a stress-free way to introduce toddlers to reading.
More to know: The pages and tails are made up of fun colors and textures to keep kids engaged and the pages crinkle while you turn them. Use the fabric loop at the top of the book to attach it to your stroller or car seat. These soft cloth books can be thrown about because they don't have sharp edges or corners. Pick from eight different options ranging from puppy tails to dino tails depending on your kiddo's favorite animals.
Age range: 3 months+
8
Great for Teens with Autism
hand2mind Sensory Fidget Tubes
Now 20% Off
Pros
Good for keeping most ages entertained
Includes four different tubes
Cons
Fairly small in size
Why we picked it: The colors and glitter in these tubes help provide tactile and visual stimulation that serves as distractions as well as helps create a calm environment. They're great for children and adults of all ages — even teens can join in on the fun!
More to know: These tubes come in a pack of four and can keep kids entertained for hours, since watching the glitter flow from one end to the other keeps users focused and soothed at the same time. Included is one glitter tube, a reverse hourglass, one gravity spinner and one fidget tube. With four different options, kids have the opportunity to pick which tube is best to self-soothe and mix it up depending on their mood.
Age range: 3+ years
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Pros
Builds balance and coordination
Easy to use and set up
Cons
Can be a bit small for larger kids
Why we picked it: The Sit 'n Spin is a great way to relieve frustration while building balance and motor skills and having fun. Plus, it helps with coordination and lets kids move around as much as they want in a controlled setting.
More to know: It brings the fun from the park to your home (without the stress). Easy to play with and requiring no set up, both you and your little one will love this fun way of getting out their energy in a safe and exciting way. Kids have full control of how fast or slow they want to go, either by pushing or pulling.
Age range: 18 months+
10
For Recognizing Emotions
hand2mind See My Feelings Mirror
Pros
Helps kids recognize emotions in others
Shatterproof glass
Cons
Each mirror is the same and offers the same play
Why we picked it: Using mirrors and emotion cards can help improve self-awareness, empathy and body awareness in children. These four mirrors support a better understanding of mental health at a young age by encouraging kids to recognize and identify various emotions. By exploring different expressions, children can gain insight into their own feelings in a way that feels natural to them.
More to know: The mirrors are made from shatterproof glass and come with several social emotional learning activities. Each mirror also comes with a set of switchable feelings to help further identify which facial expressions mean each emotion on a variety of kids.
Age range: 3+ years
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Pros
Fun multicolors
Sticks to almost any surface
Cons
Really only good for one child at a time
Why we picked it: These little toys help provide relaxing sensory stimulation while encouraging creativity.
More to know: Easy to use and store in the included plastic container, Squigz connect to almost any solid surface, according to the brand, and make a fun popping noise when you separate them. This starter set comes with 24 pieces of colorful mini suction cups that easily attach to one another to create fun shapes and buildings.
Age range: 3+ years
12
Great Pretend Play Set
Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set
Now 29% Off
Pros
Develops care for others
Provides slightly more structured imaginary play
Cons
Can be a lot to understand how to use
Why we picked it: This toy helps develop your little one’s social skills and encourages them to learn more about their own (and other’s) emotions.
More to know: The portable set's various pieces — from plush animals to a stethoscope — provides more structure and visual props to expand early imaginary play and promotes themes around nurturing and care-taking. Children can learn what it takes to be a vet from the safety of their own home while developing empathy from the rounds of pretend play.
Age range: 3+ years
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Pros
Soothing colors
Visually entertaining and calming
Cons
Not an interactive toy
Why we picked it: The cool tones of this lamp create just the right lighting for those in need of a bit lower stimulation while the constant soothing movement helps create a soothing environment.
More to know: The calming visual stimulation of this groovy lava lamp can improve focus and encourage relaxation. The soothing motion and lights of lava lamps may provide a calming experience for kids, teens and adults who are sensitive to certain sensations like sound, light and touch.
Age range: For all ages, with parental supervision
Pros
Helps kids stay focused
Cons
Expensive
Why we picked it: Weighted plush toys can help provide calming stimulation and encourage focus, especially when kids are experiencing sensory overload. It's also good for kids of different sensory profiles and arousal levels.
More to know: The weighted element feels like a comforting blanket to help calm nerves while the plush fabrics are soft to touch. Plus, it's a great friend for cuddle time. This cute turtle is also great at helping children increase attention span and engagement by providing them a useful toy for fidgeting. This toy will help your little one with everything from concentration to stability.
Age range: 3+ years
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How we chose the best toys for kids with autism
The Good Housekeeping Institute reviews parenting products (and toys) of all kinds. Our experts have tested thousands of toys, and regularly speak with real parents and experts to ensure we only suggest the safest and best options to our readers and their little ones.
We consider safety, ease of cleaning, texture, price and more when choosing our favorite picks. We also interviewed expert Jennifer Rothman, LCSW, who has worked in the childhood special needs field for over a decade. These picks include our pros' top-tested favorites and toys with rave reviews from real parents and experts.
What to look for in toys for children with autism
When it comes to picking the right toys for you and your family, there's a few important things to consider. According to Jennifer Rothman, LCSW, it's best to focus on toys that will support your child’s body and other sensory systems.
For example, pick out toys that may be less visually busy, heavier or slower (or the opposite, depending on the child). Make sure you’re thinking about the different sizes, shapes, weights, sounds, colors and movements to ensure the right fit for your family. "Not all blocks, balls, bubbles and plush dolls are created equal," she says. "The idea is to always be targeting the child’s interest and ideas and foster connection."
While you can keep an eye out for the recommended age range, making sure each toy is at the right developmental level is very important. Look for toys that will promote the following play skills:
- Sensorimotor: Using your own body to take in and process the world, this can take form from playing with soft cloth books or kinetic sand.
- Functional/combination to constructive: Using objects as they were intended, as in filling, opening, dumping, shutting, building and pulling. The right toys should push kids to use both sides of their bodies to build bilateral coordination and motor planning.
- Symbolic play: Using objects and toys to represent another object or action. Look for toys that might be less visually busy to allow for more abstract thinking and encourage kids to no longer rely on the physical incarnation of the object. This can look like using a cardboard box as a fort, a broom as a horse, or a banana for a telephone.
Rachel Rothman
Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years, overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems.
Jamie Spain
Jamie (she/her) is the former parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has also worked a BuzzFeed and People. She's a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and psychology and a master’s degree in journalism.