Christmas is almost here! It’s an exciting yet overwhelming time, with the deadline of finding the perfect gift looming closer and closer. The warm fuzzy feeling that comes with the giving nature of the season can often be overshadowed by the knowledge that once the holiday magic has worn off, you’re left with a whole house full of more… stuff. The anticipation of delighted smiles and elated squeals is worth the extra clutter, but it’s an even more enjoyable experience when the gifts come with purpose.
Bloom Behavioral Healthcare is excited to share our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide. We’ve filled it with products that your kiddo will find fun and exciting, and that will have added benefits for children with autism.
This set of colorful tubes checks multiple ABA-friendly boxes! With four different styles, kids will enjoy experimenting with how they work. Fidget-friendly functions will keep hands busy, while the differing movements within the bottles will provide calming device to focus on while managing emotions.
This interactive child-friendly mirror will help kids put a name to emotions and identify them with how they are feeling. Understanding how feelings may come through expressions can also help with social development as they learn to recognize how others may be feeling, too.
Kids will have so much fun with this (or any) sensory bin. Conveniently packed into a reusable box with a lid, this bin is packed with plenty of things to keep them busy and entertained while also appealing to their sensory needs. With sand, a hatching seashell, tools like a scoop and sifter, gem stones and more, this bin can fit many needs. It’s a great way to calm anxiety, experiment with different textures, open the door to new interests and more.
This toy is a great option for those children who seek sensory-input. It’s a fun, versatile activity that allows children to rock, sit and stand, engaging in constant movement in a safe and contained manner.
Weighted blankets can help tremendously when it comes to sleep! This weighted blanket is a great choice for young kids, coming in a variety of adorable and colorful designs.
Kinetic sand is a favorite here at Bloom! The unique sand provides a fantastically satisfying sensory experience and the included molds and tools provide an outlet for endless creativity. Additionally, playing with kinetic sand in their little hands can help with fine motor skills without leaving a mess.
Puzzles are a great gift for any child! Puzzles support problem solving skills, visual perception abilities, and learning more about specific subjects. This set includes a variety of animal-themed puzzles, a great way to introduce new vocabulary and learn about nature in a fun way. Bonus: It comes with a convenient storage rack that will keep things in one place, nice and tidy.
This busy board activity book is great for anytime, but especially good for those who spend a lot of time on the go. A multi-functional toy, this toy comes with eight activities that will appeal to sensory, educational, entertainment and development needs.
ABA Therapy has strong foundations revolving consistency and positive reinforcement. This magnetic reward chart provides a way to customize your family’s own reward system for routines needed at home. Giving it as a gift provides a sense of ownership and responsibility for the child, and the colorful design makes it a fun addition to the fridge that is impossible to miss!
Pretend play activities like this doctor kit are a great way to engage the imagination, exercise social skills, develop empathy and improve communication. Additionally, doctor visits can be intimidating, especially to those who have heightened anxiety in general. Role-playing visits can subtly helping them overcome their fear of the doctor office through practice and managing expectations. It’s also a great toy to just have some fun with. Let that inner child out for the moment and connect with your child through play!
Find The Perfect Holiday Gifts For Children with Autism
There are many wonderful toys available today that are perfect for children with autism, effectively combining play with aspects tailored toward their needs. You know your child more than anyone, so search for toys and games that appeal to their personal interests. We have no doubt you'll pick the perfect gifts! You can also include your child in the process, gauging their interests in a variety of ways. This is especially helpful to be able to provide guidance to family or friends looking to buy a gift. Engaging ways to help your child communicate their Christmas wishes:
Use visual guides for your child to help communicate with you things they may want. Many local retailers still offer holiday toy catalogs that are still as fun to look through today as when we were kids. They can go through and point out what they like, use a pen to circle their favorites or even carefully cut items out to paste in their own personal Christmas wish collage.
Create a list that includes favorite colors, shapes, themes and sensory preferences. If this list is going to someone not as familiar with your child, it might be a good idea to add on a list of no-go gifts as well before handing it over. (For example, if your child has a strong aversion to certain smells, colors, textures, that would be valuable information to someone looking for a gift for them.)
Play a "This or That" game to help relieve decision making anxiety. Simple present two photos of different items side by side and ask which one they prefer. Staple the top choices together to create a personalized wishlist book.
Give Your Family The Gift of ABA Therapy with Bloom Behavioral Healthcare
We hope you’ve found something useful for your holiday shopping list! If you have some tried-and-true autism-friendly toys or activities that have been a success in your family, let us know in the comments!
If your family is looking for autism services in the Kansas City & surrounding areas, we'd love to share with you how ABA therapy can help your child thrive. For more information about Bloom Behavioral Healthcare and what services we provide, please contact us when you're ready.
We hope your holiday season is a wonderful one! Happy Holidays from all of us at Bloom!
Note: If you shop through a link provided in this gift guide, we might earn a small commission. Please shop for items wherever you find the best deal or product for your child/family. These are all highly recommended toys that provide both fun and value to your autistic child, and many are items we utilize within our ABA Therapy plans as well. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Comments