Discover the top toys, games, and items that can help develop your child’s social-emotional skills and create a warm, loving home environment.
### Table of Contents
**What’s Unique About This Guide?**
This guide stands out by offering carefully selected tools and toys focused on promoting social and emotional learning for kids.
**The Inspire my Play Sensory Bin**
This sensory bin is minimalistic, durable, and timeless. It’s great for multiple uses, like art projects or as small toy storage, and it’s one of those rare items you’ll keep for years. It’s designed for both wet and dry sensory activities, is safe for edible play, easy to clean, and portable, making it a valuable resource for meeting children’s emotional and physical needs. Sensory play is essential for calming stress, soothing the nervous system, and developing critical brain pathways.
**For Slime Lovers**
If your kids love slime as much as mine do, you know it can be messy. However, certain slimes and putties provide calming sensory input. My top pick is the Discovery Putty for Kids from Fun and Function. It’s engaging, includes items for sensory input, and is so enjoyable that I sometimes borrow it myself!
**The Purrble Companion**
Developed by the Committee for Children with Sproutel, this product offers a pet-like source of comfort without the hassle of litter boxes or pet hair. It’s perfect for children who could use a cuddling buddy for emotional support.
**BioDough Natural Dough**
This non-toxic, scented dough is made from organic, food-grade ingredients and is available in nine beautiful colors. It’s perfect for art activities and stimulates kids’ senses, making it ideal for both creative play and sensory development.
**The Adventure Challenge Family Edition**
This book/set is a fantastic holiday gift that promises to eliminate boredom, help create lasting traditions, and encourage memorable family moments. It’s aimed at connecting families through new experiences.
**Family Game Nights**
Simple, fun games like “Not Parent Approved” are fantastic for bringing families together. This card game is ideal for older kids and teens, known for sparking laughter and winning numerous awards for family engagement.
**Other Great Family Games:**
– **What Do You Meme Family Edition:** A hilarious game suitable for all ages.
– **Taco VS. Burrito:** A strategy card game created by a 7-year-old, enjoyable for everyone.
– **Sussed Wacky Conversation Starters:** A portable game that encourages learning more about family and friends in a fun way.
**Integrative Health Practices**
Easy, daily integrative health habits can improve your child’s mood and energy. Make these practices fun and engaging to boost their impact.
**Hydration Matters**
Koodee Insulated Water Bottles are affordable and perfect for kids. They come in different sizes and colors, keeping drinks cold or hot, and are easy to clean. Staying hydrated enhances focus and mood.
**Essential Oils for Kids**
Rocky Mountain Oils offers a set that’s both affordable and effective. These oils can either calm or energize your child’s nervous system, supporting emotional balance thanks to their direct connection to brain regions responsible for emotion and memory.
**Books on Healthy Eating**
– **Get Your Dragon Some Healthy Food:** A great way to start conversations with younger kids about how food affects their day.
– **Are You What You Eat? by DK Books:** Perfect for older kids to learn about the relationship between food and emotions.
**Simple Bento Boxes**
A straightforward 4-compartment bento box with a utensil slot is highly rated and easy to manage, encouraging healthier eating and emotional regulation.
**Journals and Books for Emotional Intelligence**
Promptly Journals offer a beautiful collection, perfect for fostering emotional growth without kids realizing they’re learning.
**In My Heart: A Book of Feelings**
A lovely hardcover book that uses metaphors to help kids understand emotions, designed for ages 2-12.
**Art Sets**
The All-in-1 Wooden Art Set supports open-ended creative expression, a powerful tool for emotional health.
**Smart Girl’s Guide Books by American Girl**
These books address important topics like friendships, emotions, and self-confidence, making them perfect for elementary and middle school girls.
**Better Sleep for Better Behavior**
– **Renegade Kids Mindful Bedtime Flashcards:** Help reduce bedtime anxiety with calming, empowering thoughts.
– **Sivio Glow in the Dark Weighted Blanket:** Soft and soothing, this blanket can help kids feel regulated and calm during the night.
**Bedtime Adventures**
The Adventure Challenge Bedtime Adventures Book makes bedtime exciting, helping kids process emotions through fun activities.
**Slumberkins Sets**
These therapist-created animal and book sets cater to children’s social and emotional needs effectively.
**Goodnight Yoga Book**
A beautifully illustrated book that teaches children a series of yoga poses inspired by nature, making bedtime peaceful.
**Outdoor Nature Exploration**
A high-quality outdoor nature kit fosters STEM learning and a love for exploration, perfect for young adventurers.
**Flower and Leaf Press**
A fun, mindful way for kids to connect with nature by pressing and drying their favorite plants and flowers.
**Other Parenting Resources:**
– **75 Awesome Calm Down Strategies for Kids**
– **10 Anxiety Symptoms in Children That Most Parents Miss**
– **Parenting an Angry Child? 10 Possible Reasons Why**
– **10 Simple Everyday Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Mood**
– **The Best Way to Help a Child Deal with Anger Now (and throughout life)**
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