2023 Gift Guide for Neuro-spicy Children
If you are anything like me, your brain is on overload trying to get organized with Christmas gift ideas. The balancing act between what they are begging for and what you know will be buried in a plastic bin in 3 weeks, right? I get it and I’m right there with you!
So, I thought I would share a few of my family’s favorite things that help with their wonderfully unique, creative and sometimes overstimulated brains.
For your sanity (and mine too) I have everything linked here but also on my Neuro-osity page as well.
I would love to hear if your family uses any of these things already or if you have other “can’t live without” items, please share them!
Happy Shopping!
Nancy D.
1 Squishy Toys – These little squishy friends got my 9-year old through third grade. He also kept them in his pocket and helped soothe in some profound way that I still don’t understand.
2 SPOT Emotion Books – This book set was recommended to us by a neuropsychologist to help children learn about their emotions. My son really enjoys the books, it gave him the vocabulary to express his emotions in a way that made it easier for my husband and I to help him. He also loves the squishy guys and sometimes grabs the one he’s feeling instead of using his words if he’s over stimulated.
3 Sensory Swing – This swing is the perfect after a long day at school (or work). It’s like a giant hug for your body while creating a dark space to tune out the world and catch your breath. This is a family favorite and one we all fight over.
4 Weighted Lap Blanket – This is great for car rides, but my son uses it most when during his tutoring sessions after a long day at school. The weight and the different textures seem to really help him stay calm.
5 Zenimal Kids Meditation – We have tried lots of apps to help with nighttime routines but we are constantly battling screen time too. This little guy helps guide children through different mediations with zero chance of them getting sucked back into screentime. And really, who wishes they would have learned the practice of mindfulness when they were younger? Definitely me. Oh and they have a teenager/ adult one too!
6 Wobble Stool – We have 3 of these in our house! My children love them and use them all the time. I love them because they are light enough to move from their bedrooms to the kitchen table for dinner time. And they come in different colors which eliminates some of the fighting in our house.
7 Gear / Cube Fidget – Of course we have tons of fidgets around the house, but this is the one I see being used the most. The best part, it’s quiet! For me personally, there is nothing worse than those clicky/ noisy fidgets! This specific one is made of brass, making it heavy and sturdy. Oh, and it looks nice too!
8 CruchLabs – If you are looking for fun that lasts all year, this is a great option. My son would track this shipment every month and actually played with it after he put it together. The best part, the videos really explain science in a way that I could never do! (Link has $10 off)
