Every year, parents and grandparents come to me asking for gift ideas that their child will love and that will help them regulate through meltdowns and tantrums. Here is a list of five of my favorite ideas!
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First perfect gift for kids who meltdown or tantrum: Sensory mats of all shapes and sizes
There are a ton of sensory toys and fidgets out there (and I adore many of them) but fewer people know about sensory mats. These mats can be walked on, rolled over, touched with hands, and so much more! If your child is sensory seeking and needs input to help them regulate, this is a fantastic choice!
My favorite: Massage Puzzle Floor Mats
(Pictured) This set has a ton of different textures and the added bonus of fitting together like puzzle pieces.
Most cost effective: Texture Pads
This set still has a lot of texture options, but won’t break the bank.
Second perfect gift for kids who meltdown or tantrum: A small place to safely hide
Lots of kids will run and hide when they are feeling upset which can lead to some very dangerous situations. We want to make sure that your child has a place that they can “hide” so that you know where they are, you know they won’t get stuck, and you know that they are safe. A small tent filled with tools (like this) can be the perfect solution!
My favorite: Collapsible cube tent
(Pictured) A collapsible tent is hard to hurt and easy to set up and take with you as needed. Need a spot at the soccer game? Done in seconds. The closing door helps a lot of kids feel secure and the space is big enough to add other tools like pillows , stuffed animals, and light projectors.
Most cost effective: Stars Tent
This is a good fit for many kids that want to hide but do not become very physical when they are dis-regulated.
Bonus: Teepee tent
If you want to have a tent in your living room or public area as a resource and want to preserve your esthetic, this could be a great fit!
Third perfect gift for kids who meltdown or tantrum: Bedtime books
There are a ton of amazing books on the market to help with regulation (I have my absolute favorites on my resources page) but I wanted to add a few here that are fairly new on the market.
My favorite for 2022: The pigeon will ride the roller coaster
Who doesn’t love the pigeon books?? If you don’t have them in your collection already, this is a great one to start with, especially if anxiety is a component of your child’s meltdowns or tantrums.
Bonus book from 2022: My Zoo: A book of feelings
If your child has trouble naming their feelings, using animal metaphors may help them identify and name them more effectively!
Bonus book from 2020: My body sends a signal
I love the illustrations in this book as well as the fact that it leans into both “positive” and “negative” feelings.
Fourth perfect gift for kids who meltdown or tantrum: Weighted items
You may have heard of weighted blankets (like this machine washable one) for cuddling and snuggling up. There are other types of weights that can help kids too!
My favorite: Weighted Plush Toys
I adore this 3.4lb dino but there are lots of other weighted plush toys like this frog and this sloth. These toys can be cuddle buddies, lap weights, or items to carry or toss (which burns some energy while providing lite resistance).
My second favorite: Adjustable Weighted Hula-Hoop
This one could go in the next section but I think it’s important to talk about the weight above all. A larger hoop that weighs more will generally be easier to keep going once you have some hula-hooping skill. You can take advantage of this by helping your child add weight as they progress and make the toy dual purpose!
Fifth perfect gift for kids who meltdown or tantrum: Movement
One of the big accelerators of meltdowns and tantrums is excess energy: get that energy out and you will be in a better place! Something to consider is the difference between frenetic movement and controlled movement. The former will often be the cause of issue, while the latter can help calm and avoid it entirely. Let’s talk about some indoor solutions.
My favorite: The Indoor Swing
It hugs, it spins, and it has a rhythm, what more could you ask for? Yes, this can be used in a wild way, but you can also spin or push it along with a calming song to get movement in while keeping hyperactivity down.
My second favorite: Indoor Trampoline
Again, the rhythm here is key. Bringing in music and bouncing to a beat or along with a certain part of the song creates controlled movement that can tone things down and help kids learn to control their bodies.
Do you have questions about the perfect gift for the child in your life that they will love AND will help them work through tantums and meltdowns? Schedule a Free Discovery Call with me and let’s talk about it!