Choosing the Right Fidget Pack for Your Child's Needs

As a parent, you will always have this need to make sure you are doing what is best for your child. Whether it be by providing for them, giving them the emotional support that they need or by encouraging them to pursue their passions, it will always be you who will have their best interests at heart.

This parental nature first shows during your child’s developmental stage. During your child’s early years, they develop their social, motor and intellectual skills through the different toys and activities you expose them to -- one example is a fidget toy.

A fidget toy or a fidget pack is a sensory resource that aims to provide repetitive sensory relief for your child, stimulating their senses and developing their tactile management. However, while fidget packs are an amazing source of sensory and motor development, there is much to learn about what would suit your child best.

Understanding Your Child's Sensory Needs

Each child is special with their own personality and unique set of needs. Because of this, their fidget pack preferences may also differ and it's important to know what they like when picking out a fidget pack. Some kids enjoy certain surfaces such as a rough feeling on their fidget or smooth glidelike surface, while others might not like certain textures or movements. 

Watching how your child reacts to different things can help you figure out what they like and give them the perfect fidget pack!

Different Types of Fidgets for your Child 

Fidget packs have different aspects in each toy that allow a child to play using different senses -- meaning, each one helps a child satisfy their cognitive cravings for different sensory development.  Here are some types of fidgets you might see a lot:

Tactile Fidgets:

These include items like textured balls, squishy toys, or fidget spinners, providing tactile feedback for children who enjoy touch-based stimulation.

Visual Fidgets:

Items such as glitter tubes, light-up toys, or visual timers can engage children who respond well to visual stimuli.

Auditory Fidgets:

This category includes items like noise-reducing earplugs, calming music players, or clicky toys, catering to children who benefit from auditory input.

Movement Fidgets:

Items like wiggle seats, balance boards, or resistance bands offer opportunities for movement and proprioceptive input.

Assessing Your Child's Preferences

Before you buy a fidget toy and/or pack for your child, make sure you observe what your child likes and what they react to. What captures their interest? See which kinds of toys make them happy and keep them engaged and which one causes them to lose focus.

With your observations, you can also talk to professionals and their teachers to see if you're on the right track and provide insights on what fidget pack will work best for your child as well. 

Factors to Consider

When choosing a fidget pack, several factors should be taken into account:

Age Appropriateness: 

Ensure that the fidgets in the pack are suitable for your child's age and developmental stage.

Sensory Preferences: 

Select fidgets that align with your child's sensory preferences, whether they seek tactile, visual, auditory, or movement-based stimulation.

Durability: 

Opt for fidgets that are durable and can withstand regular use without breaking or losing their effectiveness.

Portability: 

Consider the portability of the fidget pack, especially if your child will be using it in various settings such as school, home, or on the go.

Safety: 

Prioritise fidgets that are safe for your child to use and free from any potential hazards or choking hazards.

Thankfully, a lot of fidget packs contain different kinds of fidgets and/or are customisable to contain all the kinds of fidgets. Remember that there might be instances wherein your child would be inclined towards more than one kind of fidget toy and there's nothing wrong with buying them varied fidgets as they help develop varied motor and social skills. 

Customising your fidget pack to be tailored to exactly what your child needs helps maximise the effectivity of your fidget pack. 

Tips for Introducing Fidget Packs

Introducing a fidget pack to your child can be a positive experience with the right approach:

Explain the Purpose: 

Clearly explain to your child how fidgets can help them focus, self-regulate, and feel more comfortable in different environments.

Trial and Error: 

Encourage your child to try different fidgets from the pack to determine which ones they find most helpful and enjoyable.

Incorporate into Routine: 

Incorporate fidgets into your child's daily routine, such as during homework time, car rides, or moments of transition.

Monitor Effectiveness: 

Regularly assess how the fidget pack is benefiting your child and make adjustments as needed to optimise their experience.

In the end, choosing the right fidget pack for your child depends on your parents' instincts, trusting what feels right, and noticing what they enjoy, don't like, and what skills they need to practise. Trust your gut on what is best for your child and make sure you are listening to your child's insights as well on what fidgets they prefer! 

By giving them a variety of fidget packs that can help with their development, you'll be able to encourage your child to stay involved and focused on their tasks at a young age, positioning them to be well-adjusted individuals in the future. 

Ready to Start Exploring the Benefits of a Fidget Toy? 

When you're not sure which fidget toys are best for your child, once smart option for you is to look around first and introduce them to all the varied kinds of fidgets available. With this, you can easily look into The OT Store!  With our variety of toys to choose from, we're here to help you figure out which suits your child's needs best.