Regulation Christmas Gift Shopping List

Here are some of my personal top recommends, but there are so many great sensory gifts out there! Click on the product link to read more about the item on Amazon. And be sure to tell me what sensory toy(s) you are getting your kiddos this Christmas in the comments section. Click the link to find out more about the product.

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions and recommendations are strictly my own.

Trampette for Indoor or Outdoor use  : Trampettes are so versitile when looking at sensory motor skills including developing: body awareness/body scheme, bilateral skills, core strength, movement (vestibular) processing, muscle feedback (proprioception) processing, energy and endurance, gross motor skills, upper body strength, balance - They are basically amazing!! 

Favourite trampette activity for regulation: Jumping from the trampoline off onto a huge pile of pillows/cushions/blankets as this provides lots and lots of regulatory input! 

Bilibo : For sensory seekers! Great to provide lots of muscle feedback becuase they have to use their muscles to get moving, great fun and can twist and turn - these are a big hit! 

Vibrating Massager : I use these regularly for children who experience tactile processing difficulties. The relief you see on their face when you start using these are amazing! It is great for children who don't show intrisic motivation to regulate their bodies as they can lie down and you do it! (I call this passive regulation). You can even take turns and have a sneaky massage yourself! A perfect co-regulation activity this Christmas! 

Therabrush for Regulation ; If you know your child doesn't like vibration, these are generally a hit. They are specialily designed brushes which support regulating their tactile system and have lots of benefits! I would advise to search Wilbarger brushing technique to learn how to apply these to get the best outcome! 

Therapy Hammock Swing : This is the swing I use within treatments to support regulation, slow linear motion in a hammock can be highly regulating! Ensure you have a strong enough frame to hang them from and double check the weight. These are AMAZING! 

Note: If you have a child who experienced trauma, please be mindful that this kind of environment could potentially trigger a trauma response. 

Favourite activity: Allow them to have a comfort soft item they wish to use and can even combine it with the vibrating massager (above) so they get a massage whilst in the hammock! I also sometimes combine it with listening to a mindfullness activity. 

Gorilla Gym :  This is the exact equipment I use in some of my treatments! Absolutely amazing for getting head in inverted (upside down) which is highly regulating, builds core strenght, upper body strength for posutral control, lots and lots of proprioception (heavy muscle) feedback which is highly regulating! It is important to get the activity at the 'just right' challenge, where your child will succeed and engage and not cause high levels of frustration!

note: I generally don't use the swing from this item due to it not having a therapeutic purpose in relation to sensory regulation. 

Favourite activity: Integrating any of the accessories into a obstacle course!

Beanbag Chair : Another versatile regulatory present! Your child (or let's be honest, you!) can sit and relax and do your favourite activity, relaxing on here OR you could use it in a pillow fight, to squash your child or to jump off the trampette onto! All of these great fun activities are regulating! 

Favourite activity: I like having pillow fights with huge bean bags, so regulating! Especially if they are holding the beanbag and you are trying to get it off them, lots of heavy muscle feedback! 

Body Sock : Another threatment favourite of mine! Very regulating, increases body awareness and lots of fun! 

Favourite activity: Build an obstacle course and do it with the sock on! 

Sensory Den : Sensory dens are great for children when they are beginning to heigthen in arousal or to support regulating after a meltdown. They are great to have accessible at all times to your child can initate using it themself to teach self-regulation. Allow them to take other regulaotry items in there which will not cause harm to make it THEIR space. I would advise not to let them see you enter it unless you are invited in by them for some co-regulation! 

Favourite activity: These are great to support seperate anxiety also, so I use these in treatment (or make our own) to build up length of time when child uses it to regulate their bodies and gradually grade seperate from parent/caregiver. Start when they are in the same room as you, and monitor length of use. Then build up time little by litte. where you are not in the environment. 

Giant Colouring Roll : When on the ground children will either gerenally be in a lying (keep legs straight)or 4 point kneeling position. Both of these positions are great for sensory motor integration, it provides muscle feedback, joint and shoulder stability activates touch and muscle feedback processing and is generally all round fabulous! So integrating a colouring activiy can further develop midline crossing, fine motor skills, visual perceptual skills and bilateral skills (Using both sides of the body) - Again just brilliant for those colouring lovers!! 

Ankle Weights : These are great for any age to support regultion, increase body awareness, develop gross motor skills and strength and endurance. I sue them for children who experience muscle feedback (proprioception) difficulties and use them on ankles or wrists. I also use them for teenagers where they have strong intrinsic motivation for sensory input and require additional input and it becomes a bonus when they get even stronger to play their favourite sport! 

Favourite activity: I use these regularyl in combination wiht the trampette. 

Whoosh, a whistle stop tour of some of my favourite resources I use with children and teenagers to support regulation from a sensory motor perspective. These are of my own view and there are many others out there available to you but I hope you find this Regulation Christmas Gift List useful and have got some inspiration!