Looking for gifts that actually get used, don’t overwhelm, and support your neurodivergent child’s real needs? This page gathers our family’s favorite gift ideas — from sensory tools and movement toys to quiet play and practical everyday supports.
Note: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend items that have worked for our family or come highly recommended from other neurodivergent families.
Skip to a section:
Sensory & Regulation Gifts
These gifts help with calming, deep pressure, and sensory regulation — especially helpful for kids who are easily overwhelmed by noise, lights, or transitions.
Weighted & Cozy Comfort
Great for bedtime, reading time, or downtime on the couch. We look for washable covers and textures that feel good on sensitive skin.
Quiet & Movement Supports
These are great for downtime, car rides, and noisy places. We mix squishy fidgets, a wobble cushion for kids who focus better when they can wiggle, and noise-canceling headphones for when the world is just too loud.
Outdoor Sensory Play
Messy sensory play is often easier outside. These are great for warmer weather or anytime you want big sensory experiences without coating your whole house in sand and water beads.
Movement & Big Body Play
For kids who are always moving, climbing, or crashing, these gifts channel that energy into safer, more purposeful movement.
Trampolines & Jumping
Great for getting big movement and heavy work without leaving the backyard. We like options with safety nets and clear weight limits.
Scooters & Outdoor Wheels
Great for kids who crave speed and movement. Scooters can be easier to manage than bikes and still give lots of vestibular input.
Climbing & Indoor Movement
Great for little climbers who can’t resist furniture, railings, and anything vertical. These are best for younger kids and lighter weights, and work well when you have a small indoor space.
- Pikler triangle set (check weight limits)
- Sensory/therapy swing — we don’t personally own one right now, but our kids love them at OT and at friends’ houses. Make sure kids are supervised, especially if they like to spin, jump, or climb in more adventurous ways.
Quiet Play & Focus
Low-pressure toys and activities for kids who need calm, repetitive, or imaginative play without a lot of noise or overwhelm.
Screen-Light Audio Players
Great for car rides, bedtime, and quiet rest time. Our kids love having stories they can control themselves without needing a tablet.
Some of our favorite Yoto cards:
Books, Series & Reading Tools
Great for kids who love information, cozy stories, or reading independently. We use a mix of physical books, library holds, and e-readers.
Where we find books:
- Bookshop.org (supports local bookstores)
- ThriftBooks (used copies)
- Amazon books
Open-Ended Building & STEM
Great for kids who love to tinker, build, and take things apart. We rotate these so they feel fresh without needing new toys all the time.
Practical Everyday Gifts
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that make everyday routines smoother: grooming, sleep, schoolwork, and transitions.
Grooming & Hygiene Supports
Hairbrushes, shampoo, toothpaste, and other tools that work better for sensory-sensitive kids. Instead of listing every item here, I keep everything together on one reference page.
Visual Schedules & Timers
Visual supports and timers can help mornings, transitions, and homework time feel more predictable. These pair well with our Morning Routine Checklist.
Stocking Stuffers & Small Gifts
Smaller items that still pack a sensory, movement, or calming punch without adding a ton of clutter or pressure.
Sticker & Puzzle Books
Great for quiet time, car rides, and waiting rooms. We like options that are self-contained and don’t make a big mess.
Craft & Short-Term Kits
These are the kinds of gifts that don’t have to stay forever. They’re used, enjoyed, and then they’re done — which can be really nice for clutter and sensory load.
Book Lists for Parents & Families
Here are some of our favorite books — for kids, families, and parents — that we come back to over and over.
Christmas Books
- The Polar Express
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Mortimer’s Christmas Manger
- The Christmas Story
- A Christmas Carol – Kid Classics
Favorite Bedtime Read-Alouds
- I Love You, Stinky Face
- Goodnight Moon
- We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
- Guess How Much I Love You
- Nibbles: The Book Monster
My Favorite Books: Childhood to Adulthood
Family Favorite Read-Alouds
- The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh
- The Complete Brambly Hedge
- The Wind in the Willows
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Parenting & Neurodivergence Reads
These titles have helped me think differently about my kids, myself, and how our brains work. I’m still building out links and a full booklist, but here are some names to start with:
- The 5 Love Languages of Children – I think this book is important for every parent, especially in ND families where communication can look different. It helped me understand how I naturally give and receive love, and also how to identify what my kids need — even when they can’t express it. Learning to speak someone’s “love language” makes connection easier and helps the whole family feel more seen and supported.
- Positive Discipline – This was the first parenting book I ever picked up when I was trying to figure out the kind of parent I wanted to be. I even ended up taking their course on how to teach other parents because it resonated so much. The book offers practical, respectful strategies that help you build connection instead of conflict. As my kids’ neurodivergence became clearer, I realized I needed additional tools tailored for ND brains — but this book was still a solid foundation and genuinely shaped my parenting approach.
- The Explosive Child – This book made me feel less alone. It helped me understand that my child wasn’t trying to be difficult — he was struggling, just like I was. The compassionate, collaborative approach in this book gave me new language for what was happening in those hard moments and helped reduce shame on both sides. It’s a lifeline for parents of emotionally intense or easily frustrated kids.
- The Whole-Brain Child – In true ADHD fashion…I started this book, got distracted by another one, and am now circling back. But even from what I’ve read so far, this book is packed with neuroscience-based insights that help explain why kids react the way they do and what we can do to support them. It focuses on calming meltdowns, building emotional intelligence, strengthening relationships, and helping kids develop resilience. I love how it blends brain science with real-world parenting strategies.
- Overcoming Dyslexia – This was my first dyslexia book, and it changed how I understood both my son and my husband. As someone who didn’t struggle academically as a kid, I needed this perspective shift. It explains what dyslexia really is (and isn’t), how to support dyslexic learners, and why early identification matters. If you have dyslexia in your family, this is a must-read.
- The Autistic Brain – This one is on my to-read list, but I adore Temple Grandin. I’ve attended online events where she shared about her experiences, and she has such a clear, compassionate way of explaining autistic thinking. This book dives into the neuroscience behind autism while uplifting the strengths and diverse ways autistic people understand the world.
- Taking Charge of ADHD – This is my current read, and it’s been incredibly helpful. It’s full of practical strategies based on what the science actually says about ADHD — not what people assume. If you want a research-backed, compassionate guide to raising an ADHD child (or understanding yourself), this is a great place to start.
- Explaining AuDHD: The Expert-Led Guide to Autism and ADHD Co-Concurrence – This book doesn’t release until early January, but I already pre-ordered it after listening to the author on the WTF is AuDHD? podcast. So much of what he explained resonated deeply with me — both in how AuDHD brains work and how our healthcare systems often misunderstand us. If you want to understand the overlap between autism and ADHD, this is one to keep on your radar.
- Here are the WTF is AuDHD? podcast YouTube episodes if you would like to check them out:
I’ll keep updating this section with more detailed notes and links as I finish my full booklists.