BCBA-Approved Toys for Learning and Development During Cyber Week

BCBA-Approved Toys for Learning and Development During Cyber Week

Each year, we work with families to prepare for big holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah, but this year, we want to set you up for one of the biggest shopping “holidays” of the year, too. Our Hopebridge team of clinicians put together a list of some of their favorite toys for learning and development, all of which are on sale during Cyber Week.

Here are some of the Black Friday deals on autism-friendly toys and products to check out as you begin shopping the sales this week:

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages Piggy Bank
Deal: 33% off at Macy’s
What we love about it: This one toy has so many options and skill-building opportunities. Kids can learn cause-and-effect while working on their fine motor skills, plus the piggy bank’s sound effects, songs and prompts may spark first words.

Govee Christmas String Lights
Deal: 30% off on Amazon
What we love about it: Holiday lights are a great addition to a sensory for many children who are soothed or fascinated by lights and colors. Sure, there are cheaper light options on the market, but this durable set enables color customization and lighting effects, plus it syncs with music and Alexa.

Play-Doh On the Go Imagine and Store Studio Set
Deal: 31% off at Macy’s
What we love about it: Play-Doh is one of the simplest learning tools, yet offers so much potential. This set includes more than two dozen tools to exercise kids’ fine motor skills, plus various colors and styles of Play-Doh so kids can put their creativity to work.

Melissa & Doug Food Fun Combine & Dine Dinners
Deal: 44% off on Amazon
What we love about it: So many play kitchens come with the standard fruits, vegetables and desserts, but this set offers options families might find on their own plates at dinnertime. Realistic-looking play food like this can sometimes help children associate it with real food and encourage picky eaters to try new foods.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  Board Book
Deal: Buy 1 get 1 50% off featured board books from Barnes & Noble
What we love about it: Books are always on our lists of must-haves! Books that focus on repetition help babies get familiar with specific words, animals and colors, and this one is one of our staples.

Baby Animals Touch and Feel book
Deal: Buy 1 get 1 50% off featured board books from Barnes & Noble
What we love about it: Touch-and-feel books offer an interactive reading experience, giving kids access to language and sensory exploration all in one toy.

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Activity pad 3-pack
Deal: 44% off at Amazon
What we love about it: Mess-free, reusable and easy to use? Yes, please! The Water Wow! activity books are handy to keep in the car or in a handbag for moments on the go when you need to keep your child entertained.

Little Tikes Easy Store 3’ Trampoline
Deal: 26% off at Target
What we love about it: Durable, sturdy and easy to fold and store, this mini trampoline is a classic for young kids who need a productive way to get their wiggles out. Alternatively, kids who could use practice jumping and balancing can also benefit from this toy.

Melissa & Doug Dentist Play Set
Deal: buy 1, get 1 50% off select toy brands at Target
What we love about it: This may not look like the standard vet or doctor kit kids play with, but its benefits can be enormous for children who have a fear of going to the dentist or new places. Consider introducing this toy to show kids what they will experience at the dentist and have them practice on their dolls and stuffed animals.

Taylor Joelle soft character dresses and t-shirts
Deal: up to 30% off sitewide
What we love about it: Though not the most affordable option available, this brand makes some of our favorite character dresses and t-shirts because they are soft and itch-free! Kids can use these to play dress up at home, as they are more sensory-friendly than most other costumes, so Black Friday is a great time to take advantage of a lower price.

More Support and Resources for Families of Children with Autism and Developmental Delays

These toys and those on our other gift guides offer tons of learning opportunities, but could your child use more support around play and other skills? If so, applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy), occupational therapy and/or speech therapy could be a good fit for your family. Reach out to us today to learn more about how we can help your child get the most fun and growth out of playtime, family time, school and beyond.

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