10 Sensory Tools That Help Children Self-Regulate
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Sensory tools can be incredibly helpful for children who find it difficult to stay calm, focused, comfortable or ready to learn. They can offer movement, pressure, texture, sound reduction, visual calm or simple moments of pause during the day.
However, the most useful sensory tools are not always the most expensive ones. The key is choosing tools that match your child’s needs. Some children seek movement and pressure. Others need less noise, fewer smells, softer textures or a quiet place to retreat.
In this guide, we’ll look at ten sensory tools that may help children self-regulate, along with practical ideas for using them at home, school or in everyday routines.
Important note: this article is for general information only and is not medical or occupational therapy advice. If your child has significant sensory, developmental, health or safety needs, it is always best to speak with a qualified professional such as an occupational therapist, GP, paediatrician or your child’s support team.
What does self-regulation mean?
Self-regulation is the ability to manage energy, attention, emotions and responses to the world around us. For children, this is still developing, and some children need more support than others.
A child who is struggling to regulate may look restless, distracted, upset, withdrawn, impulsive, tired, tearful or overwhelmed. Another child may seem “fine” on the outside but be working very hard internally to cope with noise, movement, transitions, social demands or uncomfortable sensations. Autism Central’s guide to sensory differences explains this well, including how sleep, emotion, environment and other people can all affect sensory processing.
This is where sensory tools can be useful. They can provide the body with the type of input it needs to feel more organised, or reduce input that feels too much.
If you would like to explore this in more detail, you may also find our post on understanding sensory processing and ways to support your child at home helpful.
How sensory tools can help
Sensory tools can support children in different ways. Some offer proprioceptive input, which is the body’s sense of position and movement. This can include pushing, pulling, squeezing, lifting, carrying or deep pressure. Other tools support the tactile, visual, auditory, vestibular or oral sensory systems. If you would like a simple overview of the different sensory systems, Wirral University Teaching Hospital’s sensory advice for pre-school children gives a helpful explanation.
Children’s Occupational Therapy teams often use sensory strategies to help children participate in everyday activities, manage emotions and respond to sensory information. Gateshead Health’s children’s OT sensory information, for example, explains that sensory regulation strategies may include deep pressure, fidgets, sensory circuits and calming activities, depending on the child’s needs.
The important thing to remember is that sensory tools are not a magic fix. A tool that helps one child may irritate another. The best approach is to observe your child, introduce one thing at a time, and notice what genuinely helps.
10 sensory tools that may help children self-regulate
1. Fidget tools
Fidget tools are small handheld items that children can squeeze, twist, press, roll or manipulate. They can be helpful for children who concentrate better when their hands have something to do.
Examples include:
- stress balls
- pop-it toys
- therapy putty
- fidget cubes
- stretchy toys
- small textured objects
Fidgets work best when they are used with a purpose. For example, a child might use a small fidget during reading time, while listening to instructions, during a car journey, or while waiting somewhere difficult.
Tip: if a fidget becomes distracting, noisy or over-exciting, it may not be the right tool for that moment. Try quieter, slower or more resistant options instead.
2. Sensory play kits
Sensory play kits give children a chance to explore texture, movement, sound, smell and touch in a more controlled way. They can be as simple as a tub with rice, scoops and cups, or as themed as a small-world tray with natural materials.
Ideas to include:
- playdough or therapy putty
- kinetic sand
- coloured rice
- water play
- textured fabric scraps
- pebbles, shells or pine cones
- scoops, tongs, spoons and small containers
Sensory play can support fine motor skills, imaginative play, problem solving and language development. It can also give children a predictable way to explore sensations they enjoy.
For more ideas, you may like our guide to sensory activities children can do from home.
3. Weighted blankets, lap pads and deep pressure tools
Some children find deep pressure calming. This might come from a weighted lap pad, a firm cushion, a body sock, a compression sheet, a tight hug, carrying something heavy, or pushing against resistance. For a broader overview of general sensory activity ideas, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals’ Occupational Therapy Sensory Advice includes practical examples across different sensory systems.
Weighted products need extra care. They should never be used as a restraint, and the child must be able to move freely and remove the item themselves. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists has specific guidance around weighted blankets, including safe use, risk assessment and monitoring.
If you are considering a weighted blanket or weighted product, it is sensible to seek professional advice first, especially for younger children or children with physical, breathing, circulation, sleep or medical concerns.
Simple alternatives to try first:
- pushing a laundry basket
- carrying books or shopping bags
- animal walks
- wall pushes
- rolling up in a blanket like a “sausage roll”, only if your child enjoys it and can get out easily
- firm pillow squishes, led by your child’s comfort
Here's a useful OT-led video showing heavy work or proprioceptive activities for children.
4. Sensory balls
Sensory balls are versatile because they can offer texture, pressure, movement and hand strengthening. Some children like soft squishy balls, while others prefer firmer spiky balls or larger therapy balls.
Ways to use sensory balls:
- squeeze slowly during waiting times
- roll under hands or feet
- use for gentle massage if your child likes touch
- roll back and forth for turn-taking
- use larger balls for balance, rocking or movement games
For children who seek movement, larger balls can be especially useful. They can be used for rocking, bouncing, rolling or supported pressure activities, but always supervise and make sure the activity is suitable for your child.
5. Noise-reducing headphones or ear defenders
For children who are sensitive to sound, noisy environments can be exhausting. Ear defenders or noise-reducing headphones may help reduce auditory overload in places such as supermarkets, school halls, parties, public transport or busy family gatherings.
They can also be useful when a child needs a quiet break but cannot leave the environment immediately.
Tip: introduce them before they are needed. If the first time your child sees ear defenders is during a noisy, stressful moment, they may be less likely to accept them.
6. Calm down bottles or visual timers
Calm down bottles, glitter jars, liquid timers and sand timers can offer a simple visual focus. Watching glitter, bubbles, oil, sand or coloured liquid move slowly can help some children pause and settle their attention.
These tools can also support transitions. For example, “when the sand runs out, we will tidy away” can be easier for some children than a sudden verbal instruction.
Keep them simple and robust. If making a DIY calm bottle, ensure it is securely sealed and safe for your child’s age and needs.
7. Movement tools
Movement can be regulating for many children, especially those who seek vestibular or proprioceptive input. The right movement can help a child feel more organised, alert or calm, depending on the activity and the child.
Movement tools might include:
- balance boards
- mini trampolines
- yoga mats
- therapy balls
- stepping stones
- swings
- climbing equipment
- resistance bands
Sensory circuits are one way movement is used in schools and homes. They often include alerting, organising and calming activities in that order. Berkshire Healthcare’s guidance on sensory circuits explains that they are usually short movement-based activities designed to help children reach a “just right” level of alertness for learning.
You can also explore our post on the benefits of sensory circuits for children.
8. Breathing and oral motor tools
Breathing activities can help some children slow down and reconnect with their body. NHS Inform explains that controlled breathing can help people feel calmer, reduce anxiety, support sleep and reduce anger.
For children, breathing activities often work best when they are playful. Try:
- blowing bubbles
- blowing through a straw into water
- feather blowing
- pinwheel blowing
- pretending to smell a flower and blow out a candle
Some children also seek oral sensory input through chewing. If this is the case, a safe chew tool may be useful, but choose products designed for chewing and supervise use carefully.
9. Calming scents and smell-based tools
Smell can have a strong effect on mood and memory. Some children enjoy scented playdough, herbs, flowers, citrus fruits or smell-matching games. Others find strong scents overwhelming, so this is very individual.
If you use scent, keep it gentle and child-led. Avoid placing strong smells near a child who cannot easily move away. Be careful with essential oils, especially around young children, pregnancy, pets, asthma, allergies or medical conditions. Essential oils should not be ingested and should only be used safely and appropriately.
Simple scent ideas:
- mint leaves
- lavender
- lemon balm
- orange peel
- rosemary
- scented playdough
If your child enjoys outdoor sensory play, a small herb pot can be a lovely low-cost way to add scent to a garden or windowsill.
You may also like our guide to outdoor sensory play ideas for toddlers and young children.
10. A calm corner or sensory space
Sometimes the most helpful sensory tool is not a toy at all. It is a predictable space where your child can reduce input, feel safe and have access to calming tools.
A calm corner might include:
- soft cushions
- a blanket
- books
- ear defenders
- a small fidget basket
- visual calm cards
- a weighted lap pad, if suitable
- soft lighting
This does not need to be elaborate. A beanbag in a quiet corner, a pop-up tent, a blanket under a table, or a quiet spot in the garden can all work.
The important thing is that it does not feel like a punishment. It should feel like a place to reset.
How to choose the right sensory tool
Before buying anything, it helps to notice what your child naturally seeks or avoids.
Ask yourself:
- Do they seek movement, pressure, squeezing, climbing or carrying?
- Do they cover their ears, avoid busy places or become distressed by noise?
- Do they enjoy messy play, or strongly avoid it?
- Do they calm with quiet, darkness, rhythm or deep pressure?
- Do they become more unsettled with certain textures, smells or lights?
- Do they need help after school, before bed, during transitions or in public places?
Start with one need and one tool. Try it gently, observe the response, and adjust from there.
Using sensory tools safely
Sensory tools should support a child, not force them. If a child resists, becomes more distressed, looks uncomfortable, struggles to breathe, becomes too hot, or cannot move away from the tool, stop immediately.
General safety reminders:
- Supervise young children and children who may put items in their mouth.
- Check for choking hazards, loose parts and allergens.
- Never use weighted items as restraint.
- Introduce new sensations slowly.
- Respect your child’s “no”.
- Ask a professional if you are unsure whether a tool is suitable.
The language around sensory support also matters. RCOT notes that terms such as sensory integration, sensory approaches and sensory-based interventions are not all the same thing. For parents, this is a helpful reminder that everyday sensory tools can be useful, but they are not the same as specialist sensory integration therapy delivered by a trained therapist. West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s page on sensory processing differences also describes sensory strategies as ways to adapt the environment, modify tasks and help children manage sensory needs.
Final thoughts
Sensory tools can be a lovely way to support a child’s regulation, confidence and comfort throughout the day. They can help children feel more organised, reduce unnecessary overwhelm and give families practical options for tricky moments.
But the best tool is always the one that fits your child. Start small, observe what helps, and build from there.
If you are exploring more sensory activities, you may like our activity downloads, sensory play collection or our guide to sensory diets in occupational therapy.
For more sensory play ideas, regulation resources and child-friendly activity inspiration, sign up to the Sensory Surroundings email list and follow along on Pinterest and Facebook.
References and useful resources
Key references
- Gateshead Health: Sensory Information
- Royal College of Occupational Therapists: Sensory Approaches
- NHS Inform: Controlled Breathing Exercise
