Ilana Danneman
Products 1. Fidget Balls $32.99 Ages 3+/teen
These get my number one vote in the ball category. They are gender neutral, sensory stimulating and engaging. Plus they weigh just enough to provide some great proprioceptive input into the hands and forearms. Kids love the bright colors and parents can use them for just about anything from stress reduction, fine motor strengthening, eye-hand coordination, juggling, tossing, and catching.
2. Peanut Balls $32.99 Ages 3+/teen
My number one go-to item for therapy is a Peanut Ball. Kids love to play with these odd-shaped balls and as a therapist, I love their usefulness. They can be used for seating, rolling, balancing, bouncing and a plethora of developmental positions. Try tall kneeling on the floor and using the Peanut for supporting the hands.
3. Discovery Putty $12.99 Ages 5+
This was a huge hit last holiday season and now there are more styles available. It’s the putty with pieces. Great for all ages and kids can work on pulling, pinching, sorting and organizing.
It’s not just a puzzle; it provides a lesson in geometry and math. Kids from ages 3 & up will be engaged with the enclosed gel and bubbles while solving configurations using these very cool pieces.
It’s an upper body and core workout. Just attach to any 2-point suspension and let your little monkey have a blast. A perfect tool for sensory seekers and those with low muscle tone. Be sure to have a mat underneath your swing bar for safety!
This is the perfect solution for your sensory seekers and those who need to move! The Jungle Jumperoo, while similar to a trampoline, takes up very little space and is super durable! Plus several kids and even adults can jump at once. Great for home, clinic, gym or classroom.
Emotional intelligence is at the heart of these specially designed weighted bean bags. Weighing about 1.5 lbs each, they provide just enough weight to wake up the arms and brain. Use them for discussing anger management, eye-hand coordination or for sensory integration therapy.
They’re soft and snappable! Kids can work on fine motor skills and proprioceptive skills as each one has a different weight. Which one is heavier? Which one is lighter? Snap them together and drape them across your body for a weighted lap pad too.
Hang it from two points and climb inside for a cozy place to hang out, or hang the Cocoon Swing from a single point and climb on top for a ride of your life. A great tool for motor planning, strengthening, vestibular activities and fun. Why not hang it in a bedroom?
Jump from puddle to puddle or learn colors with rhythmic stepping. Work on foot skills as well as use them for a spot to stand or sit. They also work great as a placemat!
The Top 10 Tactile and Gross Motor Toys for 2015
Looking for new toy ideas for the holidays? You may want to check out this list for your child with special needs or favorite classroom teacher or therapist. As a product developer, physical therapist and mom, these toys are top of my list for their “beep-free," fun, body-engaging and mind-stimulating appeal. We’ve selected our best of 2015 sensory-motor toys that will be sure to keep children engaged, thinking, creating and moving!1. Fidget Balls $32.99 Ages 3+/teen
These get my number one vote in the ball category. They are gender neutral, sensory stimulating and engaging. Plus they weigh just enough to provide some great proprioceptive input into the hands and forearms. Kids love the bright colors and parents can use them for just about anything from stress reduction, fine motor strengthening, eye-hand coordination, juggling, tossing, and catching.
2. Peanut Balls $32.99 Ages 3+/teen
My number one go-to item for therapy is a Peanut Ball. Kids love to play with these odd-shaped balls and as a therapist, I love their usefulness. They can be used for seating, rolling, balancing, bouncing and a plethora of developmental positions. Try tall kneeling on the floor and using the Peanut for supporting the hands.
3. Discovery Putty $12.99 Ages 5+
This was a huge hit last holiday season and now there are more styles available. It’s the putty with pieces. Great for all ages and kids can work on pulling, pinching, sorting and organizing.
4. Busy Fingers Tangram $29.99 Ages 3+/teen
It’s not just a puzzle; it provides a lesson in geometry and math. Kids from ages 3 & up will be engaged with the enclosed gel and bubbles while solving configurations using these very cool pieces.
5. Trapeze Bar $49.99 Ages 3-12
It’s an upper body and core workout. Just attach to any 2-point suspension and let your little monkey have a blast. A perfect tool for sensory seekers and those with low muscle tone. Be sure to have a mat underneath your swing bar for safety!
6. Jungle Jumperoo $249.99 Ages 2+/teen
This is the perfect solution for your sensory seekers and those who need to move! The Jungle Jumperoo, while similar to a trampoline, takes up very little space and is super durable! Plus several kids and even adults can jump at once. Great for home, clinic, gym or classroom.
7. Monster Beanbags $32.99 Ages 3+
Emotional intelligence is at the heart of these specially designed weighted bean bags. Weighing about 1.5 lbs each, they provide just enough weight to wake up the arms and brain. Use them for discussing anger management, eye-hand coordination or for sensory integration therapy.
8. Snapping Turtles $41.99 Ages 3+
They’re soft and snappable! Kids can work on fine motor skills and proprioceptive skills as each one has a different weight. Which one is heavier? Which one is lighter? Snap them together and drape them across your body for a weighted lap pad too.
9. Cocoon Swing $92.99 Ages 3-12
Hang it from two points and climb inside for a cozy place to hang out, or hang the Cocoon Swing from a single point and climb on top for a ride of your life. A great tool for motor planning, strengthening, vestibular activities and fun. Why not hang it in a bedroom?
10. Spot Markers $23.99 Ages 2+
Jump from puddle to puddle or learn colors with rhythmic stepping. Work on foot skills as well as use them for a spot to stand or sit. They also work great as a placemat! 
