All You Want for Christmas is a Great Gift Idea: Part One
Ready or Not…
Thanksgiving is almost here, and after the plates have been cleared it’ll be time to think about the most important holiday (at least to kids)…Christmas.
Christmas can be a challenging time for all parents who are looking for the right toys at the right price point for their children. But it can be especially challenging for those shopping for kids with special needs or sensory processing disorders.
It’s important to remember that your child’s needs will impact their ability to use or enjoy a toy, and even that a toy can help children who struggle with these issues.
That’s why PTC is covering different toy ideas for special needs and sensory processing disorders.
Today we’re covering ideas for children with special needs, and tomorrow we’ll release a list for kids with sensory processing disorders.
Things to Keep In Mind:
Before you get started, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
- How accessible is the toy—will your child be able to use it? Make sure your gift will be fun and not frustrating.
- Is it currently popular in some way? If so, it will help your child feel that they are “fitting in” more with other children and siblings and will promote shared play-time.
- Does it help them express themselves and foster creative play?
- What sort of sensory appeal does it have? It’s important to note the effect these sensory experiences will have on your child, especially if they are sensitive to loud sounds, certain textures, sudden motion, etc.
- Is it safe and durable according to your child’s needs?
Below we’re going to give a few different ideas for gifts so you can get the idea. We’ve also compiled a few sites who can help you with your unique shopping needs.
Three Toy Ideas for Children with Special Needs
- Duplo Legos
These larger, chunky lego pieces are easier to grasp, harder to lose. And they come in an array of themes and colors.
- Spinning Toys
Looking for an array of sensations? Or something simple that can be built and studied? Try the Spin and Glow set. Also, check out the rest of the website for other great ideas!
- Creative Paw Play
Paw Patrol is as popular as ever, and if your child is a fan a toy like this is easy to move around and fun to create stories with.
For more ideas, check these 11 websites:
Happy shopping from PTC!
Part two, gift for kids with sensory processing disorders, will be out later this week!
