This post contains my affiliate links. Many of these items were provided to facilitate a review. All opinions are my own.
What a year! It’s been hectic but fun, and I’m so excited to share with you this year’s top holiday gifts for kids with special needs! Now, because I have girls one of these gifts is primarily for them – but the majority are for any kid. Go ahead and enjoy – and tell me what I’ve missed!
8 TOP GIFTS FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
1. Discovery Kids 2-in-1 Stars & Planet Space Projector
Zoe is using this as a night light, INSTEAD of having her lamp on all night long!! Worth it just for that 🙂 Read my full review. The projector shoots rotating stars on the ceiling OR has 4 interchangeable slides that project rotating space images like planets, galaxies and astronauts. Uses 3 AA batteries. Easy to wrap since it comes in a rectangular box.
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Kids who love space and science, kids who need a nice nightlight. Made for ages 6 and up.
PRICE: Under $30 at Amazon.com and eligible for free shipping.
2. EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS MAGIC MOVES RAINBOWJAM
Zoe is still enjoying this great toy that encourages her to talk and appreciate music, even classical! Imagine how great it would be for a little kid struggling to speak. Music was the first key to unlocking Zoe’s ability to speak, making this a top gift recommendation. Read my full review. Required 3 AAA batteries, which are happily included, and an activity book that kids can touch with the device to make sounds. You can also download additional songs and coloring pages.
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Kids who need help appreciating music, need to learn colors, or struggle with speech. Ages 3+.
PRICE: Regularly $21.99, it’s currently priced at $15.99 at Amazon and eligible for free shipping.
3. EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS GEOSAFARI JR. JUNGLE CREW LAB SET
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My kitchen kiddo loves this, but I am encouraging this product to foster an interest in chemistry for very little kids, which is also good for kids interested in cooking! Comes with a little booklet of easy to read and do science projects from items found around your home, like water and dirt. Read my full review.
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Preschoolers and kids who struggle with simple science skills. Ages 3+.
PRICE: Regularly $29.99, currently priced at $21.00 at Amazon and eligible for free shipping.
4. Kids First Automobile Engineer
The girls both love this one. Simple and easy to use. Encourage the engineer in your child! Directions are provided and are easy to follow the images that show what goes where. Comes in a plastic carrying case for easy clean up and transport. Also available in Aircraft Engineer Kit
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Great for preschoolers or kids who need extra help with motor skills. Ages 3+. There are small part, but not TOO small.
PRICE: Regularly 44.99, currently $41.29 at Amazon and eligible for free shipping.
5. VTech Flipsies
Totally one of Zoe’s favorites, Flipsies encourages girls to be whatever they want to be. The boat is a big toy and conveniently flips, has lots of small pieces for kids to engage with, talking parts whenever the doll sits or stands on something and comes with a dolphin and water slide. Just adorable! She LOVES both VTech Flipsies Grace’s Garden and Carriage
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Girls who like to be creative, enjoy toys with lots of practical parts (food, clothing, furniture) and are curious about different careers and hobbies. Ages 4+, has lots of little pieces.
PRICE: Grace’s Garden: $24.99, Sandy’s House & Ocean Cruiser: Regularly $41.99, now $23.99 at Amazon. Both eligible for free shipping.
6. IQ Fit
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This is a very challenging puzzle that Zoe seems to master time and again! I love that she (and my husband) can kick my butt in solving this. There’s a book with different levels of difficulties (solutions in the back). Try to keep the book and case together or you may lose it.
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Kids who are good with puzzles – and smarter than they let on.
PRICE: At $9.99 on Amazon, this small toy is the perfect stocking stuffer!
7. B. Teepee Tent
One of our favorite gifts this year was from Zoe’s former aides. They got Zoe this amazing tent, which has a sort of disco ball inside it!! It’s wonderful. She can have her own little space – oh, and yes, she travels with that tent! the light is detachable and requires 2 AA batteries, which it comes with.
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Kids who need a place of their own to take a “breather” from sensory overwhelm. This tent also comes in a brighter color, but this one is nice and dark, with tiny lights, so that sensory impact is very low when in the tent. Ages 3+
PRICE: Regularly $99.99, now $79.00 at Amazon and eligible for free shipping.
8. CHEWIGEMUSATM USA Accessories
We go the necklace to review, but CHEWIGEM USA makes a whole line of products. Made of FDA approved safe silicone, you can trust this product is not harming your child. Their toys are BPA, latex, PVC and phthalate free. They also have different items for different kinds of chewers – kids who bite hard or gnaw or chew mildly. Objects include bracelets, pendants, tags, hearts, chubes (“chew tubes”), and more.
WHO IT’S GOOD FOR: Kids with sensory issues that need to bite on or chew objects. You might even want to try their products for kids who bite their nails or pens.
PRICE: This Raindrop pendant was $19.95, most items are $14.95 to $19.95, making this another ideal stocking stuffer!
Those are my top 8 gifts for kids with special needs for this holiday season. What’s on your list?
This is a great resource list! I am including a link in an upcoming blog post I am doing for excellent 2015 gift guides for parents of special needs kids. Thanks for pulling this together for parents and grandparents!
Hi Sara, thank you!! That would be wonderful. I appreciate it. Have a lovely holiday!