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We rounded up some top toys for autistic kids based that prioritize engagement, sensory input, skill-building, and fun.
- Best for kids who are nonverbal | Skip to reviews
- Best sensory toys | Skip to reviews
- Best games | Skip to reviews
- Best musical toys | Skip to reviews
- Best cause and effect toys | Skip to reviews
- Best water toys | Skip to reviews
- Best building toys | Skip to reviews
For children on the autism spectrum, play provides important sensory input, which simply means engagement with their senses — sight, sound, smell, and touch (this includes balance and body awareness).
Play also gives autistic children an opportunity to connect with peers (social skills), practice motor skills, and develop a better understanding of the world around them.
But if you simply look up “toys for autistic children,” you’ll likely find an overwhelmingly long list. There are a lot of toys marketed specifically for autistic children. But the fact is, all toys can be beneficial.
We spoke with Dr. Paige Siper, PhD, who is the chief psychologist at the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai. She reminds us that even simple items such as Play-Doh, kinetic sand, or stickers can be great for kids on the autism spectrum.
All kids benefit from and enjoy playing with toys that provide sensory input and stimulation. “It’s important to normalize this. No specific toy is just beneficial for autistic children and not all children,” she says.
With that in mind, we’ve categorized some toy options based on our conversation with Dr. Siper that may help meet sensory and skill-building needs for children on the autism spectrum, as well as be fun for them, their friends, and caregivers.
Pricing guide
- $ = under $25
- $$ = $25 to $50
- $$$ = over $50
Best toys for autistic kids who are nonverbal
Best sensory toys for autistic kids
Best games for autistic kids
Best musical toys for autistic kids
Best cause and effect
Best water toys
Best building toys
We interviewed Dr. Paige Siper, PhD, who is the chief psychologist at the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai. She helped us cut through some of the information, providing clarity and simplifying what’s actually important to look for in toys for autistic kids (hint: it’s not brand names).
Spier says it’s less about what the toy is and more about knowing what skills you’re looking for and how to engage your child in play. So we considered the purpose of each toy, and parents can do the same as they shop based on their child’s needs and desired skills.
“Some toys will be helpful in satisfying sensory cravings and may be chosen based on a child’s sensory preferences for auditory, visual, or tactile input, as well as multi-sensory toys that children often benefit from. It’s worth considering the context of the toy as well. ‘Will this be for independent play or engaged play with a caregiver? Will it be used at home or on the go?,’” says Dr. Spier. “It’s less about what the toy is and more about knowing what skills you’re looking for and how to engage with your child in play.”
Autistic children may have difficulties with sensory processing. This means they may have trouble processing sights, sounds, smells, textures, or anything else that stimulates the senses.
A 2021 review of research found that play-based interventions can be helpful for sensory processing, as well as social and communication skills.
“Play is a foundation for learning. And in many cases, individuals on the autism spectrum have struggles with play skills. Play provides opportunities for parents to help build skills — play, social, imagination, motor — which really benefit children in the long run. You cannot underestimate the power of play, says Dr. Siper.
Making time for play doesn’t just have to be between parents and their children. Studies have explored the value of play among children of all abilities (including exposing children who are on the spectrum to children who are not).
As a result, you may want to explore toys that speak to your child’s:
- proprioception (sense of their body’s movement and position)
- vestibular input (sense of their head’s position and movement)
- tactile stimulation (sense of touch on their skin)
- auditory stimulation (sounds)
Toys for autistic children should ideally be engaging for your child and help them work on certain skills. Kids just want to have fun, and when they’re having fun, they are learning.
There may be special considerations when introducing new toys to your child.
“It’s important for parents to take into account their child’s sensory preferences when they introduce a toy. You don’t necessarily need to avoid everything they are sensitive to, but if it is something your child is sensitive to, those are important moments for the caregiver to be present to really praise and create a positive environment around it,” says Dr. Siper.
She recommends fewer toys presented in a manner that allows children to access them independently and making it clear where each toy goes so children can learn to independently take a toy or game out and put it back. “Then mix it up to create novelty, rather than just adding more and more toys to a shelf.”
Also, keep in mind your child’s developmental stage. Toys that are usually appropriate for certain age groups may or may not work for a same-aged autistic child.
- To enhance proprioception (sense of movement): Find toys like jump ropes, modeling clay, weighted balls, or bean bags, and toys that provide a hugging sensation, such as a large bean bag chair.
- To strengthen the vestibular sense (sense of balance): Try toys that rock, spin, swing, or involve some other motion, such as a trampoline.
- To practice tactile stimulation (sense of touch): Shop for toys with different textures, as well as finger paints, play scarves, bubbles, and sand and water toys.
Aside from sensory toys, other good choices include toys that work on language development (particularly if your little one is nonverbal) as well as fine and gross motor skills.
You may also want to search for musical instruments, sorting toys that soothe your child, or toys designed for “stimming” (self-stimulation like rocking) or fidgeting.
Games that get kids working together and honing social skills are another solid option. “You can get toys with two in a set so you could play with somebody else, thinking toward eventually incorporating another child or adult. Help kids engage in parallel play while working to eventually initiate more reciprocal play,” says Dr. Siper. “You’re really following a child’s lead, what they’re interested in, what they gravitate to, and thinking about how can you find more or similar materials to build on skills they have.”
Older autistic children may like toys that let them use their fingers and hands to fidget. Try to get an idea of your child’s interests and then explore and research toys related to that interest.
We like the Fat Brain Dimpl toys and these fidget toys, but a quick search will pull up many other fidget toys that cater to many different interests.
Nonverbal children may best connect with toys that encourage them to speak or express themselves. Research shows that pretend play can also be useful.
However, some nonverbal children may become frustrated with toys that encourage speech and prefer toys that involve other communication modes.
Knowing if your child is hypersensitive or hyposensitive to stimulation can guide toy choices. A child who’s highly stimulated may do better with calming toys. A child who’s hyposensitive may connect more with brightly colored toys that have light and sound.
In the end, your child is going to enjoy toys that cater to their unique interests and needs. If your child receives early intervention services, talk with your therapist to see if there are any toys they suggest adding to your home collection.
Otherwise, focus on toys that speak to sensory needs, fine and gross motor skills, as well as language development and social development.
Above all else — have fun!