From birth through to early childhood, children use their senses to explore and adapt to the world around them by touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, moving, and hearing.

According to EDUCATIONAL PLAYCARE Ltd, children can explore and actively learn through 'sensory play' which is crucial to brain development as it helps to build nerve connections and strengthen brain pathways. No wonder more and more parents are looking for quality & well-designed sensory toys for sensory play exercises in order to enhance a child's ability to complete complex learning tasks and support cognitive growth, language development, gross motor skills, social interaction, and problem-solving skills.

If your child has a condition such as ADHD, Autism, or Sensory Processing Disorder, then you know the importance of sensory toys. The issue with many sensory or fidget toys is that they can produce lights, noise or are made with plastic. This makes them not ideal for the classroom, where the benefits from sensory toys can be reaped the most. Luckily, Innobaby has designed a line of sensory toys that are not only perfect for the classroom but are healthier for your child, made with food-grade silicone. Keep reading to learn more about sensory toys and the three best sensory toys for school.

What Are Sensory Toys?

A sensory toy is exactly what it sounds like: A toy that stimulates the senses. Many children, especially those with conditions such as ADHD or Autism, seek sensory experiences. Without being able to stimulate their senses, they may not be able to focus, or they may have too much energy. With sensory toys, they are able to fulfill their sensory needs and, in turn, become more calm and able to focus. Some children prefer visual sensory, while others crave tactile sensory. Either way, sensory toys are a great way to keep hands busy in order to be more attentive.

In addition to helping children pay attention in class, sensory play helps to shape what children to believe to be positive and safe in the brain. It can help children who are picky texture eaters and children who have trouble smelling or touching certain textures.

Some other reasons sensory toys are important include: (source: https://www.educationalplaycare.com/blog/sensory-... )

1. Research shows that sensory play builds nerve connections in the brain’s pathways, which lead to the child’s ability to complete more complex learning tasks.
2. Sensory play supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving skills, and social interaction.
3. This type of play aids in developing and enhancing memory.
4. Sensory play is great for calming an anxious or frustrated child.
5. This helps children learn sensory attributes (hot, cold, sticky, dry).

SPIKE Fij-it 2-Pack

The Innobaby SPIKE Fij-it™ is the perfect mess-free, quiet fidget toy for the classroom. The SPIKE Fij-it™ has two sides: soft and durable silicone spikes on one side and a smooth side on the other. Whichever texture you crave, the SPIKE Fij-it™ will be almost impossible to put down! This sensory toy comes with two in the pack because squeezing them together and peeling apart is a whole other level of sensory fun.

The SPIKE Fij-it™ is made from 100% Silicone, which means it is naturally hypoallergenic and super easy to clean. They’re also non-toxic as well as BPA, phthalate, latex, and odor free. Perfect for ages 6+, just throw it in the dishwasher or boil it to sterilize for an even deeper clean for those extra fidgety days.

SPIKE Silicone Fidget Tactile Pencil Topper & Grip

There’s never been a more perfect sensory toy for the classroom! The SPIKE Silicone Fidget Tactile Pencil Grip fulfills not only physical sensory needs but visual ones as well. This toy is perfect for the classroom because your little one can jump right back into taking notes or doing school work since their pencil will already be in their hand. Complete with a pencil topper and a pencil grip, both hands will be happily busy with the SPIKE Silicone Fidget Tactile Pencil Grip.

Perfect for ages 6+, the SPIKE Silicone Fidget Tactile Pencil Grip is made with 100% food-grade silicone, are hypoallergenic, non-toxic, BPAs, phthalates, latex, and odor-free. The antibacterial silicone is easy to clean and can be sterilized for deep cleaning after a long day of schoolwork.

In addition to being a great sensory toy, SPIKE also:

• Adds girth to the pencil, making it easier for fingers to comfortably grip and write
• Adds weight to #2 pencils, providing some more sensory feedback to the hand while writing
• Strengthens fingers while writing
• Also available in 8 packs and 24 packs for more colors and to keep them in every backpack or study area

SPIKE Silicone Sensory Set

Love all of the sensory options, not sure which one to choose, or are looking for a great gift? Look no further than the SPIKE Silicone Sensory Set! It includes a silicone fish, two silicone Fij-it discs, a gripper, and a topper for the ultimate sensory experience.

Keep the pencil gripper and topper in your backpack, the Fij-it disks in your pocket, and the silicone fish at home to make sure you’re covered in all areas. This sensory set makes the perfect gift for not only children with Sensory Processing Disorders, but for the teachers, therapists, and parents who love them.

Everything in this pack is made with 100% food-grade silicone, making them naturally hypoallergenic and mold-resistant. In addition, silicone is super easy to clean. Just pop everything in the dishwasher or boil for five minutes to wash the day’s germs away. Everything in this pack is also non-toxic and BPAs, phthalates, latex, and odor-free, and made in South Korea.

Let Us Know!

Does your child or someone you love have a Sensory Processing Disorder and love our sensory toys for school? Let us know your story and tag us in your photos on social media. Happy fidgeting!