8 Gross Motor Exercise Ball Activities for Kids

Burn off some of your kids' excess energy indoors with these fun exercise ball activities for kids!

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We just went through an intense cold snap here in Saskatchewan, where temperatures hovered close to -40 C (not an uncommon thing to experience here, by the way). However, there was no snow.

Regardless, it was simply too cold to head outdoors, which means we have to find creative ways to blow off excess energy. Because, goodness knows, my boys have tons of extra energy!

So here are 8 gross motor exercise ball activities for kids that you can do right at home.

Therapy Ball Exercises for Kids that You Can Do Right at Home

Okay, be honest, what do you call these big exercise balls? 

A medicine ball? 

Stability ball? 

Gym ball? 

Yoga ball? 

I never know what to call it other than referring to it as the big purple ball...

Whatever you call it, these ball exercises for kids are great for two reasons. One, they're great for providing proprioceptive and vestibular sensory input and can double up as occupational therapy style activities for autistic and sensory kids. Two, they quickly burn off excess energy. A must when you have two boys and the weather is too freaking cold to go outside.

So grab an exercise ball (or whatever you want to call it!) and get ready to try one of these simple gross motor activities. 

You might need a few extra materials here or there, but all of the ideas use items that you likely have kicking around the house anyway. How easy is that?

I've shared my ideas over on CBC Parents. Just click the link below to get the full details!

{Click here to read the full post on CBC Parents.}

40+ Calm Down Tools for Older Kids {Free Printable}

Teaching coping skills to older children and teens is important for emotional self-regulation. This free printable list of calm down tools and strategies for older kids is a great resource for parents!

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The thing about kids with autism, anxiety, or sensory issues is that they grow up and, while there are lots of resources for young children, there is, unfortunately, a serious lack of resources for parents of older children, pre-teens, teens, and yes, even adults.

You can easily find lots of calm down strategies and suggestions for toddlers, preschoolers, and young children, but there is a gap when it comes to older kids and up. Where are the calming strategies for older children?

Obviously, my kids are still quite young, so I don't have experience with pre-teens, teens, and adults with anxiety, sensory processing disorder, or autism. However, my oldest is already seven and is already requiring a different set of tools in his calm down kit than he did over the past few years.

So if you have been thinking of making a calm down kit geared towards an older child, then look no further than this list of 40+ calm down tools for older kids. I have also included a free printable for you to keep handy while shopping for items for the calm down kit.

40+ Calm Down Tools for Older Kids

There have been numerous times where people have commented that my list of 40+ calm down ideas for kids is geared towards smaller children, which it is, and have wished that there was a solid list of ideas for older children. 

So whether you want to build a calm down kit for older kids or you just want a list of awesome calm down tools, then look no further than this list of 40+ calm down tools for older kids!

1. Chewing gum - We like Pur Gum and Glee Gum

2. Hard candy like lollipops, jolly ranchers, Ring Pops, or anything else that can be sucked on

3. Noise canceling headphones for listening to music or audiobooks

4. Hearing protection ear muffs

5. Punching bag or bop bag

6. LEGO kits

7. Book of yoga poses or yoga pose cards

8. Weighted blanket

9. Calming essential oil spray

10. Rescue Remedy spray

11. Blank notebook/journal and writing utensils

12. Coloring books

13. Skipping rope

14. Chapter books to read

15. Activity books: dot-to-dots, mazes, crosswords, sudoku, etc.

16. Stress balls

17. Rubik's cube

18. Wooden or metal logic puzzles or brain teasers

19. Mini massager

20. Scratch art doodle pad

21. MP3 player or iPod loaded with music, audiobooks, nature sounds, etc.

22. Look and find books

23. Kaleidoscope

24. Weighted lap cushion

25. Heated blanket

26. Brain Quest cards

27. Crunchy snacks

28. Gummy snacks

29. Doodle books

30. Sound machine

31. Craft kits: LEGO Chain Reactions Craft Kit | Knot a Quilt Kit

32. Hand weights or small dumbbells

33. Resistance/exercise stretchy bands

34. Compression clothing

35. Cat's cradle

36. Mad Libs books

37. Puzzles

38. One player travel sized board games: Rush Hour | Laser Maze Logic Game

39. Bop It, Simon, or similar game that uses auditory or visual input

40. Eye mask

41. Chew necklace

42. Lava lamp

43. Scented lotion

44. Scented candles

45. Sunglasses

Download the Free Printable Calm Down Tools for Older Kids List

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download the free printable

How to Make a Christmas Calm Down Kit for Kids

Anxiety, stress, and sensory overload are aplenty at Christmas time, especially for autistic kids. Find out how to make your own Christmas calm down kit for kids to help your child survive the holidays!

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Holidays are super stressful, especially if your little ones get overwhelmed by anxiety or sensory information. So as we get closer to Christmastime, I thought I would put together a Christmas survival calm down kit for kids with autism, sensory issues, or anxiety.

This list of calm down tools for kids are Christmas themed and should help you manage or reduce meltdowns during the holiday season. Or, at least, we hope it will help reduce meltdowns!

Don't forget to read through my list of 26 holiday survival tips for autism families as well.

Christmas Calm Down Kit for Kids with Autism, Sensory Issues, or Anxiety

This list of printables, activities, and ideas are the perfect way to help prepare your child for the stress, unpredictableness, and busyness of the holiday season. There's social stories about Christmas, Christmas visual supports, and lots of practical suggestions on this list that you can use to make a Christmas themed survival kit!

1. Use a Christmas themed visual schedule to help your child know what the holidays will look like for them. I love this Christmas visual schedule for using at home, but for on the go, this set of free printable Christmas visual schedule cards look wonderful too!

2. Help your kids plan Christmas shopping with this free printable Christmas shopping planner flip book to simplify holiday shopping.

3. Make a Christmas themed calm down sensory bottle. Try these cute ideas:

• Christmas Tree in a Bottle Discovery Bottle from Sunny Day Family

• Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle from Stir the Wonder

• Christmas Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

• Christmas I Spy Bottles from Little Bins for Little Hands

• Jingle Bells Discovery Bottle from Preschool Inspirations

4. Pack a travel sensory bag for your child and bring it with you while you travel, visit relatives, or attend holiday gatherings. If you want to make a Christmas themed sensory bag, then you'll want to add one of these cute reindeer chewies from Ark Therapeutic.

LULLABITES™ Reindeer Chews

5. Help your child practice appropriate ways to respond when receiving gifts with this free printable social scripts mini flip book. Hopefully there won't be any awkward comments made about the gifts your kids receive!

6. Read these free social stories about what to expect at Christmas, including visiting family, meeting with Santa, and opening presents with this collection of free Christmas social stories for kids. You can also grab our free printable seeing Santa social story.

7. Make sure your kids get the sensory input that they need over the holidays by using this free printable occupational therapy Christmas calendar.

8. Print off a set of these free printable visual calm down cards and keep them handy while you're traveling. They are a perfect accompaniment to the travel sensory bag (see #4 above).

9. Print off a copy of this free printable letter to Santa and bring it along when you go for a visit or photo with Santa.

10. Prepare your child for Santa's visit with this set of free printable Santa sequencing cards.

11. Use this free printable special needs event planner to help your child prepare for any special holiday gatherings or events. It's a great way for them to learn everything the need to know about the event and to help them successfully plan and attend it.

12. Make a Christmas themed quiet book for your kids. It's a perfect way to help keep your kids busy while traveling to holiday functions or if they need a quiet calm down activity during a function.

13. Print off a bunch of our Christmas I spy printables for kids and make a busy book for your kids. It's perfect for kids who need a bit of visual sensory input while on the go!

14. Get practical tips and advice for surviving the holidays with the book Holidays & PTSD: A Parent's Guide to Survival.

Free Printable Asking for Help Social Scripts for Kids

Looking for social scripts? Then you'll love this free social script example about asking for help. It's great for helping your kids (or students) with autism know what to say during specific social situations.

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Asking for help, especially when frustrated, can be quite difficult for kids with autism or hyperlexia.

This set of free printable social scripts about asking for help are perfect for these kids. It gives them a handful of appropriate things to say when they need help with something.

Hopefully these written cues can help reduce a few meltdowns because it gives them the tools they need to effectively communicate their needs.

About This Social Story Scripts Mini Flip Book

This social skills scripts mini flip book gives appropriate prompts for kids with autism or hyperlexia to say when they need to ask for help. It's small in size, so it can fit in the palm of your hand or be tossed in a bag for on the go. Or you could even clip it to your child's belt loops so that it is handy at all times.

Kids with hyperlexia and autism often have trouble expressing when they need help. Scripts, like these, can help them learn what to say and what not to say. That's why I have created these mini social scripts flip books! They're like text only mini social stories to take on the go!

The scripts are just there to help your kid choose an appropriate question or response to say when they need help with something. Use these scripts ahead of time to practice and role play so that they will learn to express themselves when the time is right. With time, you can hopefully phase the scripts out.

To assemble this mini flip book, simply download, print, and cut along the black lines. Blank cards have been included so that you can write your own speech scripts. You might also want to laminate the cards for durability. Then hole punch the cards and put the book together using a a binder ring.

Download the Free Printable Asking for Help Social Scripts

This printable is two pages long and includes 20 cards. It also has four blank cards so that you can write your own to include in the mini flip book.

Simply print, cut, and assemble the cards into little books so you can take them on the go, include them in a calm down corner, etc. You can either staple them together or hole punch and put on a key ring.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download this free printable

 

Want More Social Scripts?

You'll find even more topics in the social scripts bundle.

Click here to get your copy of the social scripts bundle

Easy DIY Minecraft Cake

Wondering how to make a Minecraft cake for that little Minecraft lover in your house? Here's a tutorial for making an easy Minecraft block tiered birthday cake.

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A day before my niece's 9th birthday part with our family, my mother-in-law phoned and asked if I could make a Minecraft birthday cake for my niece since it was beyond her abilities. And since my niece is practically like my own daughter, I happily accepted and whipped together this amazing (and easy!) Minecraft cake in just a few hours.

This homemade Minecraft cake features chocolate cake bricks, rice krispies bricks, and the most awful tasting coconut water jello blocks ever. 

If I had a chance to go back and redo this cake, then I would splurge on the sugary store bought jello packages rather than attempting to make my own jello again. I still cringe thinking about how terrible that coconut water jello tasted! Seriously it was so bad. But I promise it didn't ruin the look of this Minecraft themed birthday cake or anything, as you can see.

And thankfully, the rest of the cake tasted delicious and my niece was thrilled either way, declaring it the "coolest Minecraft birthday cake ever!"

Easy DIY Minecraft Cake: What You'll Need

Here's what you'll need to make your own cool Minecraft birthday cake:

• Chocolate cake mix or your favorite homemade chocolate cake recipe

• Two 9 x 13 cake pans - one for the cake and one for the Rice Krispie squares

• 9 x 9 square pan or glass dish for the jello

• Piping bag

• Icing spatula or butter knife

• Gel food coloring

• Rice Krispies cereal

• Marshmallows

• Coconut oil or butter

• Knife to cut the cake

• Blue Jell-O or your favorite homemade jello recipe

• Minecraft figures

• Toothpicks and glue (needed only if using printable Minecraft figures)

I opted to use a cake mix to streamline the cake making process. Remember that I was making this homemade Minecraft birthday cake as a last minute request. However, when it comes to homemade birthday cakes, I always, always, ALWAYS make my own buttercream icing because store bought icing is just gross and doesn't compare. It really doesn't.

Having said all that, use what you prefer. If you're going to make a fun tired Minecraft birthday cake, it might as well taste delicious to you, right?

How to Make a Minecraft Birthday Cake

1. Bake the cake as the recipe calls for. Let cool completely before assembling the cake.

2. Make your rice krispie squares. For the best rice krispie squares ever, substitute coconut oil for butter/margarine. It makes the squares irresistible and amazing. And I always use equal parts marshmallows and rice krispies to ensure the squares are chewy and delicious. You can see my full recipe for rice krispie treats with coconut oil over on my food blog.

3. Prepare your jello and pour into a square 9 x 9 pan to refrigerate. Again, I used coconut water jello and I'm choosing to NOT give you the recipe I used because it was terrible. Horrible. Absolutely disgusting. Ick!

4. After the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan. Hopefully your cake doesn't break like mine did during this step...sigh. Then cut a piece off to make the upper level of the Minecraft landscape. I cut the cake as if I was cutting a staircase into it.

5. Place the smaller cut piece of cake and place it on top of the larger cake piece. Kind of like you see below.

6. Make your chocolate icing (skip if using store bought).

7. Ice the entire cake with chocolate icing using the icing spatula or butter knife.

8. Chill the cake to let the icing stiffen up a bit.

9. Make your green icing (skip if using store bought).

10. Use a piping bag and the appropriate tip (pick one that looks like grass) to make the green grass for the landscape.

11. Chill the cake while you cut the rice krispie cake and blue jello into squares.

12. Assemble the squares of rice krispies and jello to make sand and a pool of water next to the cake landscape.

13. Skip this step if using LEGO Minecraft figures or other Minecraft figures to decorate the cake. Otherwise, print off and assemble some paper minecraft figures (I didn't save the website that I got mine from, but there's plenty of sites that offer these same printables). Glue them to the toothpicks. Insert the toothpicks into the cake to decorate the cake.

14. Decorate the cake with any Minecraft figures you have on hand before serving. When I took the cake over to my niece's, she grabbed all of her LEGO Minecraft figures and added them to the cake to give it the final touch.

15. Chill the cake until serving time and give yourself a pat on the back for making one epic Minecraft cake.

Other Homemade Birthday Cake Ideas You'll Love

Patrick from SpongeBob Birthday Cake

Paw Patrol Zuma Cake

Easy Pikachu Cake

Free Printable Turn Taking & Sharing Social Scripts for Kids

Looking for social scripts? Then you'll love this free social script example about taking turns and sharing. It's great for helping your kids (or students) with autism know what to say during specific social situations.

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Taking turns was a social skill that my son J struggled with for quite some time. He's pretty good now, but from time to time, he will still have difficulties waiting for his turn. He would usually get upset if he didn't go first or if the other person is "taking too long" (his words).

Hopefully, this mini flip book of free printable social scripts about taking turns and sharing will be helpful for him.

About This Social Story Scripts Mini Flip Book

This social skills scripts mini flip book gives appropriate prompts for kids with autism or hyperlexia to say when taking turns and sharing. It's small in size, so it can fit in the palm of your hand or be tossed in a bag for on the go. Or you could even clip it to your child's belt loops so that it is handy at all times.

Kids with hyperlexia and autism often have difficulties taking turns and sharing. Scripts, like these, can help them learn what to say and what not to say. That's why I have created these mini social scripts flip books! They're like text only mini social stories to take on the go!

The scripts are just there to help your kid choose an appropriate question or response to say when playing with others. Use these scripts ahead of time to practice and role play so that they will learn to express themselves when the time is right. With time, you can hopefully phase the scripts out.

To assemble this mini flip book, simply download, print, and cut along the black lines. Blank cards have been included so that you can write your own speech scripts. You might also want to laminate the cards for durability. Then hole punch the cards and put the book together using a a binder ring.

Download the Free Printable Turn Taking & Sharing Social Scripts

This printable is two pages long and includes 30 cards. It also has four blank cards so that you can write your own to include in the mini flip book.

Simply print, cut, and assemble the cards into little books so you can take them on the go, include them in a calm down corner, etc. You can either staple them together or hole punch and put on a key ring.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download this free printable

 

Want More Social Scripts?

You'll find even more topics in the social scripts bundle.

Click here to get your copy of the social scripts bundle

Free Printable Losing a Game Social Scripts for Kids

Looking for social scripts? Then you'll love this free social script example about losing a game and being a good sport. It's great for helping your kids (or students) with autism know what to say during specific social situations.

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I have been convinced for a long time that Snakes and Ladders is the devil. Every single time we play, there's a meltdown and J quits the game, making sure that all players are wiped off the board so that no one else can win. So yes, losing a game is an area that he still struggles with and likely one that he will struggle with for a few more years.

However, we've been working on it through family game nights and by playing cooperative games instead of competitive ones. I'm also hoping that this free printable social scripts mini flip book about losing a game will help him learn to say appropriate things when he does lose a game.

About This Social Story Scripts Mini Flip Book

This social skills scripts mini flip book gives appropriate prompts for kids with autism or hyperlexia to say when they lose a game. It's small in size, so it can fit in the palm of your hand or be tossed in a bag for on the go. Or you could even clip it to your child's belt loops so that it is handy at all times.

Kids with hyperlexia and autism often get upset when they lose a game and can say some rude things when they do lose. Scripts, like these, can help them learn what to say and what not to say. That's why I have created these mini social scripts flip books! They're like text only mini social stories to take on the go!

The scripts are just there to help your kid choose an appropriate question or response to say when losing a game and to show others that they are a good sport. Use these scripts ahead of time to practice and role play so that they will learn to express themselves when the time is right. With time, you can hopefully phase the scripts out.

To assemble this mini flip book, simply download, print, and cut along the black lines. Blank cards have been included so that you can write your own speech scripts. You might also want to laminate the cards for durability. Then hole punch the cards and put the book together using a a binder ring.

Download the Free Printable Losing a Game Social Scripts

This printable is two pages long and includes 20 cards. It also has four blank cards so that you can write your own to include in the mini flip book.

Simply print, cut, and assemble the cards into little books so you can take them on the go, include them in a calm down corner, etc. You can either staple them together or hole punch and put on a key ring.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download this free printable

 

Want More Social Scripts?

You'll find even more topics in the social scripts bundle.

Click here to get your copy of the social scripts bundle

Free Printable Greeting People Social Scripts for Kids

Looking for social scripts? Then you'll love this free social script example about greeting people. It's great for helping your kids (or students) with autism know what to say during specific social situations.

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Due to J's hyperlexia, greeting people was particularly challenging when he was younger. Besides the obvious struggles with WH questions like "what's your name?" or "how old are you?", he often responds inappropriately or with something that made no sense in the context. I had to guide him with verbal prompts like "you can say hello back" or "you can tell her your name is J."

This free printable greeting people social scripts mini flip book is something that I would have loved to have had in my purse while shopping when he was younger. But, then again, I didn't even know what hyperlexia was at that point.

About This Social Story Scripts Mini Flip Book

This social skills scripts mini flip book gives appropriate prompts for kids with autism or hyperlexia to say when greeting people. It's small in size, so it can fit in the palm of your hand or be tossed in a bag for on the go. Or you could even clip it to your child's belt loops so that it is handy at all times.

Kids with hyperlexia and autism often say awkward or inappropriate things when greeting people and might need guidance when trying to say hi to others. Scripts, like these, can help them learn what to say and what not to say. That's why I have created these mini social scripts flip books! They're like text only mini social stories to take on the go!

The scripts are just there to help your kid choose an appropriate question or response to say when greeting people, either those they know or those they don't know. Use these scripts ahead of time to practice and role play so that they will learn to express themselves when the time is right. With time, you can hopefully phase the scripts out.

To assemble this mini flip book, simply download, print, and cut along the black lines. Blank cards have been included so that you can write your own speech scripts. You might also want to laminate the cards for durability. Then hole punch the cards and put the book together using a a binder ring.

Download the Free Printable Greeting People Social Scripts

This printable is two pages long and includes 20 cards. It also has six blank cards so that you can write your own to include in the mini flip book.

Simply print, cut, and assemble the cards into little books so you can take them on the go, include them in a calm down corner, etc. You can either staple them together or hole punch and put on a key ring.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download this free printable

 

Want More Social Scripts?

You'll find even more topics in the social scripts bundle.

Click here to get your copy of the social scripts bundle

Free Printable How to Apologize Social Scripts for Kids

Looking for social scripts? Then you'll love this free social script example about apologizing and learning how to say sorry. It's great for helping your kids (or students) with autism know what to say during specific social situations.

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I'm not one to force my kids to make apologies when they don't understand why they are apologizing in the first place, but I do think it is still important to teach them how to say sorry in an appropriate manner. A manner in which they take responsibility for hurting someone else, whether it was intentional or not. That way when they do apologize for their actions or words on their own, they'll have the tools in place to do so appropriately.

So I created this free printable how to say sorry social scripts mini flip book as a way to practice different ways to say sorry and apologize.

About This Social Story Scripts Mini Flip Book

This social skills scripts mini flip book gives appropriate prompts for kids with autism or hyperlexia to say when apologizing. It's small in size, so it can fit in the palm of your hand or be tossed in a bag for on the go. Or you could even clip it to your child's belt loops so that it is handy at all times.

Kids with hyperlexia and autism often have trouble knowing when to say sorry and may have even more difficulty expressing themselves when they do need to apologize. Scripts, like these, can help them learn what to say and what not to say. That's why I have created these mini social scripts flip books! They're like text only mini social stories to take on the go!

The scripts are just there to help your kid choose an appropriate way to say sorry to others. Use these scripts ahead of time to practice and role play so that they will learn to express themselves when the time is right. With time, you can hopefully phase the scripts out.

To assemble this mini flip book, simply download, print, and cut along the black lines. Blank cards have been included so that you can write your own speech scripts. You might also want to laminate the cards for durability. Then hole punch the cards and put the book together using a a binder ring.

Download the Free Printable How to Say Sorry Social Scripts

This printable is three pages long and includes 30 cards. It also has four blank cards so that you can write your own to include in the mini flip book.

Simply print, cut, and assemble the cards into little books so you can take them on the go, include them in a calm down corner, etc. You can either staple them together or hole punch and put on a key ring.

To get a copy of this printable, click the link below:

>> Click here to download this free printable

 

Want More Social Scripts?

You'll find even more topics in the social scripts bundle.

Click here to get your copy of the social scripts bundle

115+ Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids with Hyperlexia

A huge list of stocking stuffer ideas for kids with hyperlexia, including alphabet themed and number themed stocking stuffers.

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Do you know how many times I have googled alphabet themed stocking stuffer ideas for kids or number themed stocking stuffer ideas for kids over the years? So many times.

Only I ended up disappointed because there never seems to be such a gift list.

I can easily find lots of great lists of general stocking stuffer ideas, but nothing perfect for hyperlexic kids, like my son. Although, if I must admit, he is super easy to buy for because his interests are so strong! However, sometimes I struggle to find one or two more items for his Christmas stocking.

This stocking stuffer gift list for kids with hyperlexia includes ideas related to some of their favorite topics: letters, numbers, outer space, geography, and periodic tables! Obviously, this gift list isn't exclusive for kids with hyperlexia and can be useful if you have a child without hyperlexia who is interested in these same topics.

I've included items from various price points, to fit every budget, and lots of these items could be picked up from the dollar store or bargain bins if you'd like to keep them under a certain price point. I also tried to include ideas that would cover a variety of ages, not just young kids with hyperlexia. But everything on this list should appeal to your kids with hyperlexia!

This post contains affiliate links.

Alphabet & Letter Themed Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids with Hyperlexia

For most kids with hyperlexia, their fascination with letters and the written word is the first thing parents notice. You likely have most of these ABC related objects in your house, but in case you need a few more (ha!), then try these alphabet themed stocking stuffer ideas.

1. Alphabet books: I Spy Letters Books
2. Book of word searches
3. Alphabet magnets: Plastic | Wooden
4. Days of the week underwear: Boys briefs | Girls panties
5. Alphabet puzzles: Melissa & Doug Alphabet Express Jumbo Jigsaw Floor Puzzle | Melissa & Doug Upper & Lower Case Alphabet Letters Wooden Puzzle
6. ABC Singing Toothbrush
7. Magnetic Poetry Kit for Kids - lots of versions available, including other languages
8. Foam letters
9. Alphabet stickers
10. Alphabet dice
11. Bananagrams (pictured)
12. Boggle
13. Alphabet snacks: Alphabet gummies | Alphabet pretzels | Letter of the day cookies
14. Chewy Tubes P and Q
15. Alphabet themed reusable snack bags (pictured)
16. Alphabet stamps
17. Alphabet socks
18. Alphabet t-shirt
19. Alphabet Go Fish Matching Game
20. Spot It Alphabet
21. Wikki Stix Alphabet Fun Cards
22. Flashcards, especially for other languages
23. Scrabble Slam
24. A-Z Letter Links
25. Alphabet beads
26. Alphabet placemat
27. Dictionary or thesaurus
28. Alphabet board games, especially small travel size games: Hangman Take Anywhere Game
29. Alphabet tableware &/or cutlery
30. Alphabet Magnatab (pictured; lots of versions available)
31. Thinkfun Pathwords Jr Puzzle
32. Alphabet blocks
33. Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Water-Reveal Activity Pads Set - Alphabet (pictured)
34. Alphabet workbook
35. Alphabet pajamas
36. Bookmarks
37. Crossword puzzle books
38. Quiddler Card Game

Number & Math Themed Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids with Hyperlexia

It's no secret that we love math around here! My son lives and breathes numbers and math. Here are some amazing number and math themed stocking stuffer ideas.

1. Number or math books: I Spy Numbers (more suggestions: Books for Kids Who Love Big Numbers & Math)
2. Sudoku books
3. Dot-to-dot books
4. Mark-My-Time Digital Bookmark
5. Number magnets
6. Number puzzles: Melissa & Doug Self-Correcting Wooden Number Puzzles With Storage Box | Melissa & Doug See-Inside Numbers Wooden Peg Puzzle
7. Number stickers
8. Watch
9. IcoSoKu Brainteaser Puzzle
10. Pedometer
11. Sliding number puzzle
12. Number snacks
13. Calendar
14. UNO
15. Skip Bo
16. Math related flashcards, such as math, money, addition, etc.
17. Dice games
18. Learning Resources Fraction Tower Cubes Equivalency Set (pictured)
19. Number stamps
20. Number snacks: Dick & Jane Bilingual Educational Snacks with Numbers
21. Number t-shirt
22. Sumoku (pictured)
23. Learning Resources I See 10! Game
24. Measuring tape or ruler
25. Number/math placemat
26. Numbers/math board games, especially small travel size games: Geospace Math Spin Magnetic Spin Game (pictured)
27. Number/math tableware &/or cutlery
28. Number Magnatab
29. Stopwatch
30. Mobi the Numeric Tile Game
31. Abacus
32. Color by numbers or paint by numbers books
33. Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Water-Reveal Activity Pads Set - Numbers
34. Math workbooks
35. Foam numbers
36. Tenzi Dice Game
37. Braindice
38. Dominoes
39. Educational Insights Math Trekker (pictured)
40. Digital Thermometer with Indoor/Outdoor Temperature

Map & Geography Themed Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids with Hyperlexia

Many kids with hyperlexia love maps, just as much as they love letters or numbers or logos. Here are some great geography themed stocking stuffer ideas to try.

1. Geography books or atlas: Maps
2. Map puzzles: Mudpuppy North America 42 PC Puzzle (pictured)
3. GeoBingo Games
4. GeoCards World - Educational Geography Card Game (pictured)
5. Geography tableware &/or cutlery
6. All About the States: Search-a-Word Puzzles
7. Geography stickers
8. Peaceable Kingdom Sticker Fun! World Map Reusable Sticker Tote (pictured)
9. Globe stress ball
10. Travel/road maps
11. Inflatable globe
12. World map poster or wall decal
13. Scrambled States Game
14. ALEX Toys Rub a Dub USA Map in the Tub (pictured)
15. Scrunch World Map
16. Flag Frenzy Card Game

Periodic Table Themed Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids with Hyperlexia

Many kids with hyperlexia end up obsessed with the periodic table. It's such a perfect combination of letters and numbers, so it's not surprising that it's appealing to these kids. My son hasn't gotten into the periodic table, but I know many hyperlexic kids who have. These stocking stuffer ideas are perfect for them.

1. Periodic table books
2. ETA hand2mind Periodic Table Connecting Color Tiles (pictured)
3. Periodic table placemat
4. Periodic table jigsaw puzzle (pictured)
5. Periodic table poster (pictured)
6. Periodic table t-shirt
7. Uncle Goose Periodic Table Blocks (pictured; a bit expensive for a stocking stuffer, but definitely cool!)

Space Themed Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Kids with Hyperlexia

Most kids with hyperlexia, or at least the ones that I know of, have a fascination with outer space and planets. J went through a period of time where he was extremely interested in planets as well. Here are some great space themed stocking stuffer ideas.

1. Books about planets & space: National Geographic Kids First Big Book of Space | There's No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System
2. Planets placemat
3. Glow-in-the-dark stars
4. Space puzzles: Crocodile Creek Space Puzzle & Poster (pictured) | Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle
5. Space stickers (pictured)
6. Planet plates (kind of expensive, so might be a better gift idea than stocking stuffer)
7. Planet bowls (kind of expensive, so might be a better gift idea than stocking stuffer)
8. Space t-shirt
9. Space socks
10. ZooBooKoo Cube Book, Planets (pictured)
11. Space poster
12. Learning Resources Inflatable Solar System (a bit expensive for a stocking stuffer, but the kids will love it!)
13. 3D Planets in a Tube (pictured)
14. Safari Ltd Safariology The Solar System
15. Safari Ltd Space TOOB
16. Space themed pajamas

Other Ideas You'll Love

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50+ ABC Gift Ideas for Kids

Books for Kids who Love Big Numbers & Math

This post is part of a monthly series called Parenting Children with Special Needs. This month's topic is best gifts and you can find the other posts regarding this topic below.

Nutcracker Themed Gift Ideas for Kids | Every Star is Different

Gift Giving & Autism: The One Golden Rule | My Home Truths

Self-Care Gifts for Special Needs Parents| Life Over C’s 

Best Gifts for the Autism Mom | This Outnumbered Mama

Great Gifts for Children with Anxiety | Raising Lifelong Learners

Fun Gifts For Sensory Seeking Kids | 3 Dinosaurs