Items other families rate
The lists below are for some of the sensory equipment that our families have found helpful to calm and regulate their child, provide entertainment or just to have some fun.
There will be lots of brands and stockists of similar items so it’s worth shopping around for a good deal, remembering websites like Discounts for Carers when shopping online to save more off the cost, or our list of grants to help with larger items such as beds.
The list below are some suggestions that other parents have included in a sensory room or sensory area of a room and examples of these items. Not all of these brands will be parent suggestions but are included as an example of the item.
The charity Caudwell Children do two sensory packs which are available for a donation of £20 (the charity covers the other 80% of the cost of the items). One pack is for children under age 3, and the other for age 3 and over, and contain a range of items such as bubble tubes. You can apply for these on their website: https://www.caudwellchildren.com/families/equipment-and-sensory-packs/sensory-equipment/
- Bean bag: this brand is parent recommended as they do waterproof covers, but other outdoor bean bags may also be available at a lower cost: https://www.fatboy.com/gb-en/kids-beanbags#
- Body socks: https://sensoryowl.co.uk/collections/body-sock or for a compression body sock that can be used for sleeping in: https://nestishop.com/products/nesti-pod
- Bubble fish tube: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/arts-crafts-and-music/musical-instruments-and-karaoke/party-lights/sensory-colour-changing-led-fish-tube/p/247802
- Emotion sensory bottles: come in a range of different emotions to help children understand or communicate the emotion they are feeling: https://www.learningresources.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=sensory+bottles
- Egg chair (indoor): https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/ikea-ps-loemsk-swivel-armchair-white-red-10407136/
- Egg chair (outdoor): https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/garden-outdoor/garden-furniture/garden-seating/egg-chairs/c/1840
- Inflatable wheel roller: https://amzn.eu/d/7gTbzca
- Play kitchen for those who like water play, or to distract away from playing with kitchen or bathroom taps: https://amzn.eu/d/1Wfyr48
- Projector light that shows on ceiling: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/baby/mobiles-and-sleep-aids/cot-mobiles-and-night-lights/cloud-b-night-light-and-projector-twinkles-to-go-octo-green/p/253328
- Rocking board: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/sensory-toys/physical-play-sensory-toys/play-factory-wooden-balance-board/p/238071
- Rocking hammock: SoBuy® KMB16-J, Children Kids Rocking Hammock https://amzn.eu/d/4vaOd3b
- Sand and water play: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/outdoor/sand-and-water-tables/sand-and-water-tables/sand-and-water-table-with-beach-accessories/p/233312
- Spinning chair: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/pre-school-and-electronic-learning/play-factory/play-factory-sensory-spinning-chair-blue/p/250815
- Stretchy toys: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/sensory-toys/fidget-toys/pocket-play-fidget-toy-giant-stretchy-friend-assortment/p/240161
- Textured stepping stones: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/pre-school-and-electronic-learning/play-factory/play-factory-stepping-stones-6-pack/p/238597
- Trampoline board: https://sensoryplaypalace.co.uk/products/magicmeadow-trampoline-board
- Sensory Direct do a large range of different strengths and shapes of chews: https://www.sensorydirect.com/behaviour/biting
- Tilcare Chew: https://amzn.eu/d/aMpGM9a
- Vibrating Sensory Chew Toy: https://amzn.eu/d/8SWRQpY
- Alpine Muffy: https://amzn.eu/d/6O6JugY
- Sensory Direct: https://www.sensorydirect.com/pair-of-ear-defenders
- Dinosaur design with spikes on the headband: https://amzn.to/3Ju3uXQ