Sensory Holiday Stocking Stuffers

Sensory Holiday Stocking Stuffers

Jeanette Loftus

Christmas stockings are a cherished tradition that children look forward to opening. Peaking into a stocking that is overflowing with small treasures sparks a child's Christmas excitement. Each child is different and all families have different traditions. Some families let their child take out one thing each day from their stocking but other families wait until Christmas morning to have all items. 

For children who have sensory processing disorder, the amount of presents in their stocking can be overwhelming. Instead of stuffing it with several small items, consider a sensory stocking approach. This involves carefully selecting a few special sensory items that engage different senses. The sensory stocking approach would include items that have different textures, wind-up toy, fidget, play dough, slime, a small sparkly ornament or a picture book.  

Sometimes, children go through their stockings within seconds. Instead, consider creating a gradual stocking opening for them. This can be as simple as wrapping each item individually in their stocking and gradually opening up each item. This approach builds anticipation and helps a child to manage their sensory input, preventing them from feeling overwhelmed by too many gifts in their stocking at once.

Christmas traditions don't have to be what everyone else is doing. Do what works for your child and your family through the holidays. Engaging the whole family in new traditions and make Christmas inclusive and sensory friendly so everyone can enjoy. 

Each year you can include a personalized stocking story. Sit down as a family and read each family members story. The personalized story can be about their stocking and the special items inside their stocking. Create a Christmas stocking scavenger hunt for your family. Hide hidden clues all over your house that lead to each family members stocking. Choose a theme for each stocking and fill the stockings with items for that theme.

Creating a sensory-friendly Christmas stocking is a great way to support children with sensory processing needs during the holiday season. Fill their Christmas stocking with sensory friendly items and consider the child's sensory needs. 

Fidgets are always a popular sensory stocking stuffer for children who have sensory differences. Pop-It fidgets can help children with focus, Tangles are twistable fidget tools that can soothe a child's restless hands and mind and sensory stress balls are available in different textures and sizes for all sensory preferences.

Sensory stretchy string are great for squeezing, pulling and stretching, textured play dough and putty promote fine motor skills and can be very calming for children and squishy sensory fidgets are popular sensory friendly stocking stuffers too. 

Weighted stuffed animals can provide calming pressure for children, weighted lap pads can help ground a child during moments of sensory overload. 

Many parents will put sensory kits or craft supplies in their child's stocking too such as Kinetic Sand as it is a great hands-on tactile sensory activity, slime kits allow children to create their own slimes which is perfect for sensory exploration and scented markers or crayons because they are both visual and olfactory sensory art activities.

There are a lot of calming ideas to add to a child's Christmas stocking. Mindful breathing cards, mindful activity cards, coloring books, essential oils or sensory bottles. 

Sensory friendly clothing options are fantastic choices for a sensory friendly stocking stuffer this Christmas. Give the gift of tag-less sensory friendly underwear or seamless socks this holiday season.

When selecting stocking stuffers for a child who struggles with sensory processing disorder please always consider their sensory preferences. Understand the child's specific likes and dislikes. Avoid overstimulation and choose items that promote calmness rather than excite or overwhelm a child. 

Try to create a sensory friendly environment for your child during the holidays. This could be a few minor changes such as having a quiet space for sensory breaks, limiting their sensory overload from bright lights or loud noises and be mindful of food textures and smells. When you understand your child's sensory needs and choose sensory friendly gifts, you can be sure that your holiday season is filled with joy and calm for your little ones. Happy Holidays!