Can Sensory Toys Help with Anxiety? A Guide for Parents

As parents, it’s heart breaking to see our children struggle with anxiety. Whether it’s social situations, school, or everyday challenges, anxiety can make the world feel overwhelming for kids. Fortunately, there are tools that can help, and one of the most effective options is sensory toys. But can sensory toys really help with anxiety? The answer is yes - and we’re here to show you how!

At Sensory Oasis for Kids, we specialise in sensory tools that are designed to calm, focus, and soothe children. In this blog post, we’ll explore how sensory toys can help alleviate anxiety and recommend some of the best products from our collection to support your child.

How Sensory Toys Help with Anxiety

Children with anxiety often feel overwhelmed by their environment. Sensory toys work by providing a calming or focusing experience that can help children self-regulate. These toys engage one or more of the senses - touch, sight, sound, or movement - to redirect their attention, helping to reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

Here’s how sensory toys can support children with anxiety:

Calming Tactile Sensations

For many children, anxiety manifests physically as restlessness or fidgeting. Sensory toys that offer calming tactile sensations, like soft textures or squeezable materials, can help soothe these feelings. They give children something to focus on, helping to ground them in the present moment.

Promoting Focus and Distraction

Sensory toys can help children focus on something other than their anxiety. Whether it’s playing with a squishy toy, listening to calming sounds, or watching visual stimuli like lava lamps, sensory toys can provide a distraction that helps ease anxious thoughts.

Providing Comfort Through Familiarity

Anxiety can stem from unpredictability or overstimulation in new environments. Sensory toys can offer a sense of comfort and security through familiar and repetitive motions. When children have their favourite sensory toys with them, it can serve as a reliable tool to help them manage stress.

Encouraging Self-Regulation

Sensory toys encourage children to self-regulate by giving them tools to manage their emotions. Over time, using sensory toys can help them develop coping mechanisms for when they feel anxious, empowering them to handle their emotions independently.

Sensory Toys That Can Help Alleviate Anxiety

At Sensory Oasis for Kids, we carry a wide range of products designed to support children with sensory needs. Here are some great sensory toys from our collection that are perfect for helping children manage their anxiety:

• Weighted Blankets
  Weighted blankets are known for their calming effect. The deep pressure they provide can simulate the feeling of a comforting hug, which helps soothe anxiety and promote relaxation. Our weighted blankets come in various sizes and weights to suit children of all ages.
• Fidget Toys
  Fidget toys like our Click Fidget or Marble Maze Fidgets provide the perfect outlet for children who need to keep their hands busy to manage anxious energy. These toys are small and portable, making them easy to bring along to school, appointments, or anywhere your child might need extra support.
• Lava Lamps and Glitter Lamps
  Visual sensory toys like our Colour Changing Lava Lamps and Glitter Lamps offer soothing sights that can help distract and calm anxious minds. The gentle movement of glitter or colour changes is both mesmerising and relaxing, making them ideal for creating a peaceful environment at home.
• Chewable Jewellery
  For children who cope with anxiety by chewing, our range of Jellystone Chewable Necklaces provides a safe and effective outlet. These chewable necklaces are made from non-toxic silicone and offer both sensory stimulation and comfort when anxiety strikes.
• Stress Balls and Squishy Toys
  Squishy toys, like our Stretchy Squish Balls or Spiky Sensory Balls, are perfect for children who need to release anxious energy. The satisfying squish of these toys can help them focus their nervous energy on something productive and calming.
• Calming Sensory Bottles
  Our Calming Sensory Bottles are a popular choice for children who find comfort in visual stimuli. These bottles are filled with glitter and slow-moving liquids that create a peaceful, calming effect when shaken. Watching the contents swirl around can help ease anxiety and encourage mindfulness.

How to Introduce Sensory Toys to Help with Anxiety

If your child is new to sensory toys, here are a few tips to help introduce them into their routine:

• Start Small: Begin with one or two sensory toys that suit your child’s specific needs. Observe how they respond and gradually introduce other toys that might help in different situations.
• Incorporate Toys into Stressful Situations: If your child feels anxious in specific environments (like school or social events), bring a portable sensory toy with you. For example, fidget toys or chewable necklaces are discreet and can be used in most settings.
• Create a Calm Space at Home: Dedicate a quiet corner in your home where your child can retreat when they feel overwhelmed. Fill this space with calming sensory toys like bubble tubes, weighted blankets, and fidget toys to help them relax and reset.
• Encourage Use Before Anxiety Peaks: Help your child understand that they can use their sensory toys proactively, even before they start to feel anxious. This can prevent anxiety from escalating.

Conclusion

Sensory toys can be an incredibly effective tool in managing anxiety, especially for children with sensory processing disorder or neurodivergent needs. By providing calming sensations, offering distraction, and encouraging self-regulation, sensory toys give children the ability to manage their anxiety in a safe and supportive way.

At Sensory Oasis for Kids, we’re here to help you find the right sensory tools for your child. Explore our full range of sensory toys designed to reduce anxiety and create a more peaceful environment for your little one.

Visit us at Sensory Oasis for Kids and discover how our products can support your child's emotional well-being.