Tactile toys for kids are play items specifically designed to engage the sense of touch.
These toys provide various textures, surfaces and materials for children to explore through touch, helping to develop their tactile sensory processing skills.
Tactile toys can include items made of different fabrics, squishy or textured materials, sensory bins filled with materials like sand or rice, and toys with diverse surfaces such as bumps, ridges or soft plush.
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Engaging with tactile toys not only promotes sensory exploration and stimulation but also contributes to the development of fine motor skills and overall sensory integration in children.
Why Is the Tactile System Important
The tactile system, or the sense of touch, is a fundamental aspect of sensory processing that significantly influences a child’s exploration, learning, and overall well-being.
For children, the tactile system is the gateway to understanding the world around them. It allows them to gather information about different textures, temperatures, and surfaces. This information is not only essential for their safety and comfort but also plays a crucial role in the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Engaging with a variety of tactile experiences through play and tactile toys contributes to the refinement of sensory processing. It helps children regulate their responses to different textures and sensations, fostering a healthy sensory system.
What are Tactile Toys and Tools
Tactile toys play a crucial role in supporting children who are under or over-responsive to touch. For under-responsive children who may seek more intense sensory input, textured balls with bumps or spikes, sensory brushes for gentle stimulation, and playdough or putty for squishing and molding can provide the heightened tactile feedback they crave.
Water beads, with their unique texture and fidget toys with varied surfaces also cater to their sensory seeking tendencies.
On the other hand, for over-responsive children who may find certain textures overwhelming, soft fabrics or stuffed animals made from comforting materials can offer a gentle introduction. Weighted blankets provide a calming, grounding sensation, while tactile cushions with different textures allow for gradual exposure.
Gel-filled toys with a soothing texture and sensory sand or rice bins with controlled tactile experiences can also help ease sensitivities. Tailoring tactile toys to individual preferences is essential, promoting a positive and supportive environment for sensory exploration and development.
Tactile Toys & Tools
Edushape The Original Sensory Ball
These toddler balls promotes a natural desire to reach out, touch, experience different textures, shapes, and bright colors.
Infantino Textured Multi Ball Set
Easy-to-grab, bright and textured design for babies to develop tactile senses while having fun.
Large Sensory Table
Engage all the senses as part of your homeschool curriculum or use it as a fun indoor or outdoor activity with this stress-reducing sensory, sand and water table.
Squishy Fuzzy Band Bracelets
The soft, textured feel of the squiggly fingers along the bands not only feel yummy on the skin and fingers they can help kids relax and refocus.
Gonge Tactile Discs
An inviting tactile material that challenges children's sense of touch on both hands and feet.
Rhode Island Novelty 5 Inch Puffer Balls Set of 6
Made of a soft rubber texture with stretchy rubber bristles -- great for fidgeting.
Wood Fidget Puzzle
Help quiet your child's mind -- it's an excellent distraction, and it's a cool little toy to keep their hands busy.
Play-Doh Modeling Compound
An absolutely classic for a reason!
Crayola Kids' Power Toothbrush
Tactile sensory input for the mouth or have your child put it against their palms for a different kind of sensory input.
Feel & Find Icons, Shape and Tile Matching
Wonderful tactile experience while manipulating wooden shape -- tile matching game to reinforce cognitive development
CanDo TheraPutty
Squeeze, pinch, stretch or twist CanDo TheraPutty hand exercise material to strengthen hand muscles, improve fine motor skills, and decrease stress. Use to practice flexion, extension, press, pinch, and adduction exercises.
TANGLE Set of 3 Jr. Original Fidget Toy
If you or your child can't stand sitting with idle hands, this is the perfect solution for waiting rooms and car rides alike. Super fun and super portable.
Koosh
These feel absolutely magical in your hands!
Wikki Stix Rainbow Pak
Highly recommended by Occupational Therapists, these versatile and reusable sticks are ideal for engaging in Sensory Processing activities. They can be used to provide tactile stimulation, promote fine motor skills, and help improve hand-eye coordination. Their lightweight design and colorful look make them a great choice for any sensory play activity.
Vibrating Massager Hair Brush
Make brushing triply beneficial with your vibrating brush from iKonic! Your 2-speed massage brush helps relieve tension.
Little Tikes Spiralin' Seas Waterpark Play Table
Kids will improve fine motor skills, sharing skills and their imagination while having a splashing good time.
Wet Brush Pro Detangle Hair Brush
For children who are sensitive to having their hair brushed - These bristles will glide through any hair type combing out tangles effortlessly, even wet!
Special Supplies Vibrating Pillow
This innovative calming pillow is designed to help sooth stress or anxiety, promote calm, and restore physical and emotional balance with a comforting squeeze and gentle vibration.
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