To shreds! 8 Best tools for kids who like to Pick & Rip (Sensory Tools I use in Speech Therapy)
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Welcome to our Sensory Regulation Tool series! Sensory regulation is crucial — if my client is dysregulated, it’s pretty unlikely that learning is going to happen! The right tools can make or break the experience. That being said- there are a lot of toys out there that seem like something kids would like, but aren’t actually helpful or engaging. I’m here to share some items that actual kids (especially neurodivergent ones) love! Note: I am a sensory-informed speech-language pathologist, not an occupational therapist. For individual advice regarding your child’s sensory needs, make sure to reach out to an occupational therapist!
Today’s post focuses on kids who love to pick, peel, rip, and squeeze! These are the kids that often get mislabled as naughty or destructive — the ones who are ripping up every paper in sight, picking at pieces hanging off of toys, picking skin, or being a little rough with their toys. It’s important to realize that these children are not typically trying to destroy things on purpose; they are just chasing a sensory experience that feels good to them. So here are some tools that I suggest to offer as an alternative.
Here are 8 tools for kids who like to shred, pick, and squeeze:
1. Marble Roller Tubes: This toy is pretty simple: a marble inside of a plastic mesh tube. These give extra input into their fingertips. It’s great for keeping kid’s hands busy but keeping their brain free to learn — a great homework or learning tool! In my experience kids and adults have both loved this fidget.
2. Finger Mazes/sorts: These are like an upgraded version of the marble roller tubes. They give the same benefit of giving input into their fingertips while offering the added bonus of a focusing task! This is a great way to help kids recenter when dysregulated.
3. Ones Blocks: You may have seen these in most classrooms! They take a lot of effort to put together (and especially) to pull apart. My clients are always fans of things they can sort or build
3. Putty Rescue Sets: You can get these pre-made putty rescues, or you can make your own! Therapy putty on its own can be a great tool, but pickers love having to dig out the little mini figures.
4. Rubber String Ball: I have a vintage (can we call them that? Better than “old”) Koosh ball, but really any brand will do. Kids always light up when they see them. There’s just something about their stretchy, tickly tendrills that have landed these bad boys a permanent place in my clients’ hearts.
5. Spiky Fidget Ring: These are for slightly older kids, but they provide some really intense input. They’re a little on the sharper side and fit tight to your finger. I personally love using these when trying to focus, and it’s a nice replacement to fidgeting with a hairtie.
6. Globbles: These are squishy, sticky, stretchy, all without the mess. They give that peeling sensation without leaving a residue, and can be thrown without major fear of damage. They can be rewashed once they get all gunked up to be reused for next time. Gross and fun!
7. Sensory Sticker Strips: These are little textured stickers that you can put on your kid’s table, chair, book, or whatever else you may think of! They may use them for the texture, or they may want to pick them off. There are so many cute colors and designs to choose from - something for everyone!
8. Pushpeel Activity Board: I actually just found this one and haven’t gotten a chance to try it yet! It has great reviews and looks like it would be really satisfying for my kids. It allows kids to push items into small spaces and then pull them out again— perfect for our pickers and peelers!
Hopefully some of these tools can help with your child’s regulation! Is there anything else that your sensory seeker loves that I should include? Let me know!
