What's your best sensory equipment tips?

[Christmasandallthetrimmings]

Where can you get it affordably?

I've seen some grants but DD is getting more and more aggressive so probably just going to use the DLA to get it as soon as possible.

What's your best items?

So far, I'm thinking a ball pit, one of those spinning bowl chair things and some led lights, but not sure what else. My home doesn't allow swinging chairs to be hung from the ceiling (new build which came with a manual), but if anyone knows a good one which can be static on the floor that would be great.

Unfortunately, sensory equipment is expensive.

You could look at a gorilla gym or Southpaw doorway kit. These have a swing and don’t have to be attached to the ceiling. The former is more affordable than the latter.

Other things you could look at are a mini indoor trampoline, bodysok, exercise or peanut ball, cuddle ball, floor surfer. Some people find a punch bag helps.

You can get free standing egg chairs that move slightly. But they don’t swing like a swing does.

You can get frames for sensory swings but a) they are very expensive and b) take up a large amount of room.

We have an indoor trampoline which works for my bouncy child. I also have an exercise ball which did work well but he now now needs a bigger size.
Oh and a piece of tube fabric which works like a big tight cuddle

Thanks guys, these are very helpful. We did have an outdoor trampoline in the summer which I thought my DD would love, but she barely went on it. Now it's down for the winter, she's been asking for it!

The indoor one, is it quite easy to keep an autistic/ADHD child on it without them going flying? My DD can't even walk in a straight line, so I might need padded walls with it 🙈

Just found the gorilla swing for £40 on Costco with free postage, so that's great, thanks!

My DSs use an indoor trampoline OK.

IKEA. The outdoor toy section is basically a sensory store for 1/3 the price: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/physical-play-18736/ . The Lomsk spinning chair is a hiding place as well as a spinny toy. The Fyllen collapsible laundry basket for 10 pounds is an indestructible pop up den. Thr bed tents (Eldfluga) can make a single bed feel more sheltered.

Decathon sell yoga balls and similar - again for far less than you'd pay for anything badged SEN.

www.decathlon.co.uk/sports/fitness-gym/gym-swiss-balls

Indoor trampoline also

Well it's an outdoor one with the padding but small so it can do indoors x

Ds is 10. We have an adult rebounder from Amazon. It comes with a bar they can hold on to if they like. Ds also likes a yoga ball. I replaced my old one that I’d had for years with one from Amazon recently. I got a swinging egg chair with a stand from Robert Dyas.

Tbh I think a lot of it is trial and error with your particular dc; I’ve bought loads of stuff over the years that ds has not been interested in.

Putting ball pit balls on the outside trampoline is good fun and might reignite her interest once it warms up.

Oh thank you, these are all great!

I've applied for a sensory grant, after all, through Family Fund. Figured would take me a while to get the room sorted and could get some cheaper bits at first anyway, whilst I wait. I've been decluttering the room tonight, which is currently being used as a store room. Fingers crossed I can get it decluttered in the next week or two
I've ordered the Gorilla Bar thing which looks great

DD is super excited for it, even though I haven't told her exactly what it is. I think she would be unable to get through the anticipation if she knew it had a swing attached to it, so only mentioned the hoops.

Hi @Christmasandallthetrimmings just wondering if you could share the link for the Gorilla bar as it sounds great and I can’t find it on the Costco website. Thanks a lot!

It might be because they said there were only ten left but I will have a look for you...

Just found it, but in the cold light of day it looks like a scam website impersonating costco.

@BrightYellowTrain could you shed some light on best place to order Gorrila Gym equipment?

You can get a gorilla gym set from Amazon.

I've come across this but not sure what it entails.

https://www.caudwellchildren.com/changing-lives/how-we-can-help/equipment/sensory-equipment/

An indoor trampoline and spinning chair works well for us and anything that lights up. I get some stuff off Ebay that can be cheaper. Chews work well for my son too. I find baby toys that spin or are fidgety good for my son but he is low functioning.

Ahh thank you!

We use a gym trampoline, and a spinning chair.

Don't forget, equipment for disabilities is VAT free. The big suppliers will cater for this.

https://www.gov.uk/financial-help-disabled/vat-relief

You can get swings on frames

https://www.costway.co.uk/6-feet-kids-trampoline-with-swing-and-enclosure-safety-net-blue.html?ff=30&fp=8909

https://specialneedstoys.com/uk/vestibular/indoor-swings/small-square-platform.html

So no need to hang from the ceiling.

Our little one uses a swing we fitted in the garden but obviously can't use it it's raining

Thank you for that, I didn't know!

So I got awarded a £300 grant from Family Fund yesterday to be used at a big supplier. The website is very very expensive compared to buying the items elsewhere but I guess Family Fund want to make sure the money is being spent the right way. All the prices say before VAT and after VAT. When I put into the cart, it came up with the after VAT price. How do I get them to take the VAT off?

Actually not to worry I've called them and they explained it to me :)

Obviously it depends on the child's sensory profile.

My son loves his peanut ball and has used it daily for the past 3 years. Tactile paving 'stones' have also been a big hit - although DS is very sensory seeking. My friend's ASD kid finds them absolutely hideous. We also have a trampoline and a hammock in the garden for the summer.

The most important bit of sensory kit for my son has been a £3 fidget toy that he adores! He has it in his hand from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed. I've had to buy about 6 spares in case anything happens to the original.

I'm an autistic adult (diagnosed in my 20s), and I wanted to share something that's genuinely helped me a lot with sensory overload and meltdowns — a sensory swing/cuddle swing. I bought one from SensoryHarbor (they have an adult version that holds up to 440 lbs, so it's properly sturdy and safe for grown-ups).

For me, the biggest benefits have been:

• It gives really even deep pressure all around the body (like a firm hug), which helps calm my nervous system down incredibly fast when everything feels "too much".
• The gentle rocking motion is super regulating — it helps with anxiety, racing thoughts, and that constant "wired but tired" feeling ADHD/autism people often get.
• I can use it when I'm overstimulated (noise, lights, people) and it helps me reset in 5–10 minutes without needing total silence or isolation.
• Because it's floor-standing or easy to install (no ceiling drilling needed for some models), it works in rentals/new builds.

It's not cheap, but for me it's been worth every penny — much more effective than weighted blankets alone because of the full-body containment + movement combo.

If you're looking for something static on the floor, their Cuddle Swing or Pod Swing might be worth checking out (they have options that don't need hanging). No pressure to buy, just sharing what actually works for me as an autistic adult.

Hope things get a bit easier for your DD soon ❤️

Thanks for starting this thread @Christmasandallthetrimmings, it’s been really helpful.

Does anyone have recommendations for a spinning chair? I’m torn between getting something like this or the Ikea PS Lömsk.

my son loves his spinning chair. He’s on it daily. Peanut ball, tactile floor tiles, weighted blanket have also been big hits. obviously, it depends on the sensory profile of your child….