03 JUNE 2025
Stimming and sensory play are essential for healthy development, particularly for neurodivergent children. These types of behaviours and actions are often misunderstood but play a key role in helping children to self-regulate, process sensory information, and express themselves. In this article, we share top tips and recommendations to support repetitive play, stimming, and other sensory seeking activities.
Fidget toys to promote focus and regulation
Fidget toys offer a discreet yet effective outlet for excess energy and sensory input. They help with class engagement, concentration and self-regulation, particularly in school and other high-stimulation environments that may cause dysregulation and overwhelm.
Try this: Tangle toys, chewable jewellery (like silicone necklaces), or pop-it fidgets provide repetitive motion and tactile feedback that many individuals find soothing.
Safe sensory bins for exploratory play
Sensory bins provide a contained space for children to explore various textures while practicing their fine motor skills like pinching and grabbing. Sensory bins are a fantastic, budget-friendly tool which are super easy to make at home. All you need is a large plastic box or bin, a textured item to fill it with (think rice, sand or beans), and pop in some small toys and items for your child to feel around for.
Try this: create a themed-sensory bin, such as a holiday-inspired box, farm, or ocean, to encourage imaginative play and engagement.
Weighted products for deep pressure stimulation
Weighted blankets and lap pads provide calming, proprioceptive input. This feedback not only helps to reduce anxiety but also acts as a calming and soothing tool in moments of overwhelm. Deep pressure is particularly effective for children with sensory processing challenges. As a safety guide, it is recommended to use weighted blankets no heavier than 10% of the child’s body weight.
Movement props for vestibular input
The vestibular sense, often referred to as the ‘balance’ sense, is a sensory system within the inner ear that provides information about head position, motion and spatial awareness. Rocking, spinning and bouncing all help to regulate this system, and are natural and necessary for many of our neurodivergent children to feel calm and focused.
To support this sense, you could try using an indoor swing, sit-and-spin toy, mini trampoline, or balance board, to encourage safe, movement-based stimming.
Create an on-the-road sensory toolkit
Sensory travel kits are a valuable way to give your child quick access to tools that support them during overwhelming or challenging moments. Involve your child in putting the kit together so they know what’s inside and feel a sense of ownership. Be sure to consider all the senses, and include items you know help your child to feel calm, focused, and regulated.
Validating stimming and sensory play is not just about allowing a child to "burn off energy", it’s about giving them a safe space to experience the world in their own way. By embracing these tips and strategies, you can support your child’s emotional resilience, learning and well-being.