If you’ve ever watched a child squeeze a squishy toy like their life depends on it - or spin a fidget until it whirls into a blur - you’ll know just how powerful sensory and tactile play can be.
At Adventure Awaits, our Sensory & Fidget Toy Range is more than just fun. It’s:
Therapist-recommended
Parent-approved
Kid-adored
And hand-picked with heart to support calm, connection, and creativity.
In this article, we’ll explore:
Why sensory toys are essential for development
The benefits for neurodiverse and neurotypical kids
How OTs and speech therapists use these toys
Why teachers love having them in the classroom
Why our range is different (and better)
Our top picks for gifts, classrooms, calming kits and travel
Whether you’re shopping for a child with sensory needs, an active learner, or just looking for screen-free ways to help kids self-regulate and unwind - you’re in the right place.
Sensory toys are designed to engage the senses - touch, sound, movement, and sometimes even smell. They provide sensory input, helping children:
Self-soothe
Stay focused
Develop fine motor skills
Explore textures and sensations safely
Examples include:
Squishy, stretchy or squelchy textures
Fidget spinners and poppers
Tactile putty or dough
Weighted or vibrating tools
Repetitive motion toys like spinning or clicking items
These toys can be calming or stimulating - depending on what a child needs.
Everyone! While sensory toys are often associated with children who are neurodiverse (e.g. autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences), they’re beneficial for all children.
That’s why they’re so widely used by:
Occupational Therapists
Speech Therapists
Classroom teachers
Parents of toddlers to tweens
Carers and support workers
And yes - kids themselves!
Sensory toys support:
Emotional regulation
Focus and attention
Motor skill development
Anxiety relief
Mindfulness
Imaginative play
Language learning (in speech therapy settings)
They’re tools - but they’re also toys. And that combination is where the magic lies.
At Adventure Awaits, we’ve curated a range that’s fun, functional, and fabulous. We don’t stock random sensory items. We choose toys that meet real-world needs, recommended by real professionals, and tested by real Aussie families.
Here’s what sets us apart:
We’ve had feedback from dozens of OTs, paediatric speech therapists, psychologists and educators who not only use our toys - they recommend them.
“I’ve worked in paediatrics for over 15 years - and your range is one of the best I’ve seen for sensory regulation and engagement.” – Local OT
We stock items you won’t find at the big-box stores. From fidget balls with Aussie animal designs to USB-rechargeable LCD doodle pads, we look for clever, compact, joyful tools that actually work.
Many of our sensory toys are made from non-toxic, BPA-free materials, and pass Australian safety standards. Because we know these toys are used daily - and often intensely.
Whether you're road-tripping around Australia or need classroom-friendly calming tools, our range includes small, portable, no-mess sensory toys that are easy to throw in a bag or backpack.
Where possible, we stock Australian-designed toys or support brands doing ethical, inclusive work around the world.
Sensory toys are a core tool in many therapy settings. Here’s how professionals use them to help kids thrive:
To support regulation (helping kids stay calm or alert)
To improve fine motor skills (e.g. hand strength, finger dexterity)
To introduce cause-and-effect play
To provide safe oral or tactile stimulation
To help children stay focused during sessions
As visual or tactile prompts during communication tasks
To help build vocabulary and descriptive language
As rewards during speech drills
To reduce anxiety and help shy kids open up
For following instructions and sequencing tasks
Therapists often build entire sessions around a few great fidget toys - and it works!
Sensory and fidget toys are increasingly used in schools, from prep to upper primary. Here’s why teachers tell us they love having a basket of sensory tools in their classroom:
They help students self-regulate instead of becoming disruptive
They support neurodiverse students with discreet, calming options
They provide brain breaks during long lessons
They can be shared or personalised
They help with focus – especially for hands-on learners
“We use your range in our sensory corner and our fidget toolkit - and it’s helped students manage emotions, focus longer, and feel safe.” – Grade 2 Teacher, VIC
You might be wondering - how can something like a stretchy worm or a squishy ball have such a big impact?
Here’s what science (and experience) tells us:
Squeezing, stretching, or rolling textures provides proprioceptive feedback - helping kids feel grounded and calm.
Simple fidgeting keeps part of the brain engaged just enough to help the rest focus - especially helpful for ADHD or anxiety.
Pushing, twisting, pulling, pinching - it’s all mini exercise for the hands.
Kids often describe what they’re doing, ask questions, or invent stories around their toys - especially during speech sessions or playdates.
There’s also pure joy in a toy that feels good, responds instantly, and doesn’t need rules.
Stuck for a birthday idea? Need something that’s screen-free, travel-friendly, and guaranteed to be used?
Sensory toys are:
🎂 Birthday party winners
🧸 Gifts for kids who already have everything
🧘♀️ Calm kit essentials for anxious kids
✈️ Travel toys for long car rides or flights
🧺 Stocking stuffers and rewards
They’re small but powerful - and they show you really thought about what the child might need and love.
Our customers often pack a “calm kit” for travel - especially for long caravan journeys, holidays, or waiting rooms.
The best calm kits include:
✅ A few fidget toys (balls, clickers, stretchy items)
✅ A sensory visual (like a spinning toy or lava timer)
✅ Something squishy
✅ A calming activity like HeyDoodle mats or Magic Painting World
✅ A compact storage pouch
Kids love having their own set - and parents love the peaceful silence from the backseat!
Here are a few standout favourites from the Adventure Awaits sensory collection:
Stick them to car windows, plane trays or tables - perfect for babies and toddlers.
Zero mess, endless fun. Perfect for drawing, writing, and calming quiet time.
Squishable stress relievers in fun colours - a top seller and classroom favourite.
Great for kids who need something subtle and satisfying to help them concentrate.
Provides deep pressure input - like a calming hug.
Filled with fidgety fun, perfect for gifting or building your own calm kit.
You’ll find sensory toys in our range for all stages of development:
Spinners
Soft textures
Sound toys
Chew-safe sensory rings
Pop tubes
Squishies
Sensory mats
Fidget balls
Weighted plush
LCD tablets
Sensory puzzles
Fun tactile gifts
Discreet fidgets for school
Tools for anxiety or focus
Writing tablets
Calm kits for bags or lockers
Sensory toys aren’t just for little ones - they grow with your child, becoming part of daily routines, self-care, and learning.
At Adventure Awaits, we don’t see sensory toys as a trend. We see them as essential tools for:
Calming busy minds
Supporting learning
Building connection
Bringing joy to kids with all kinds of needs
That’s why we’ve curated a range that’s trusted by:
Occupational Therapists
Speech Pathologists
Parents of neurodivergent and neurotypical kids
Teachers and carers
Gift givers and educators around Australia
Whether you’re building a calm corner, packing for a road trip, stocking a classroom or wrapping up a thoughtful gift - our Sensory & Fidget Toy Range has something for every child, every stage, and every moment that matters.
Loved by kids. Backed by therapists. Curated with care.
