Each year Autism Live curates a list of top toys and gifts in a wide range of categories and developmental levels to help you find the perfect gift to delight the children, teens and adults in your life who are on the Autism Spectrum. This year we have chosen toys in various price ranges to help you make the perfect holiday selection. We hope there is something to delight everyone on your list!
Top Toy Winner
Magnetic Pyramid Glow
TOSY
Description
6+Years
TOSY Magnet Pyramid helps you unlock your endless creativity. – Use the included UV Flashlight to make the holographic stickers glow even brighter and longer. The included spinner accessory gives you even more possibilities for innovative transformations.
Autism Live Says:
The possibilities are endless with this kit, build, glow, transform, it’s all at your fingertips.
Therapist Recommendation Toy Winner
Symmetriz
Discovery Toys®
Description
6+ Years
Explore the mathematical concept of symmetry with magical mirror reflections with this unique kit. Experiment with angles, and rotation to create stunning kaleidoscope images.
Autism Live Says:
This toy is a powerhouse! It is fun and allows for creativity, but it also uses mathematical principles surrounding symmetry that give the learner endless opportunities to predict and manipulate designs and patterns.
STEM Toy Winner
Nano Clics
Mukkokim Toys
Description
8+ Years
Nano Clics are construction pieces made from recycled plastic in Belgium. Some pieces feature a ball join that allows 360-degree movement in your build.
Autism Live Says:
Nano Clics are a great building toy for creative minds. We especially love the separating tool that comes with each kit, to make taking structures apart really easy!
Speech Builder Toy Winner
Wize Owl Puppet
Folkmanis®
Description
3+ Years
Easily animate the antics of this engaging Wise Owl Hand Puppet. Your hand controls the beak, eyebrows, and expressions of this interactive bird of prey puppet.
Autism Live Says:
This gorgeous, plush, realistic puppet is ideal for fostering communication with even reluctant communicators. We love a good puppet and no one does it better than Folkmanis®.
Social Skills Builder Toy Winner
Mind Your Beeswax
Da Vinci's Room
Description
8+ Years
Mind Your Beeswax is a cooperative group game where kids complete activities together to improve social skills like communication, cooperation, manners and active listening.
Autism Live Says:
This is a great game that uses Cognitive Behavioral techniques to allow teens to consider and communicate what they are feeling.
Sensory Toy Winner
Better Butter Thinking Putty
Crazy Aaron's
Description
3+ Years
Crazy Aaron’s Better Butter Thinking Putty is EXTRA smooth and creamy in texture. Unlike other putties, this high-quality formula stays fresh and never dries out so the fun never stops.
Autism Live Says:
The smell, texture, and consistency of this thinking putty is spot on, its like BUTTER! We love the calming and focus that come over teens and tweens when playing with this putty.
Parents Recommendation Toy Winner
Bluetooth Alarm Clock
Biesoamz
Description
13+ Years
This sound machine creates relaxing and sleep atmosphere by offering an exquisite listening experience. The white noise machine for baby or adults has 6 white noise, 7 relaxing natural sounds, 2 lullabies.
Autism Live Says:
Parents loved this product because it makes going to sleep and waking up a fun sensory soothing experience.
Oldie but Goodie Toy Winner
Battleship
Hasbro Gaming
Description
7+ Years
The classic game of naval combat! Fun for the whole family, this Battleship board game is an exciting strategy game for kids, teens, and adults. HUNT, HIT, SINK, WIN!
Autism Live Says:
We love this oldie but goodie, it teaches patience, critical thinking, perspective taking, bluffing, and problem solving, all while having fun!
Motor Play Toy Winner
GoBalance Board
GoCube
Description
13+ Years
The GoBalance Board comes with a free app that includes 12 engaging games, offering challenges for all players. The app features individualized user profiles that assess abilities and help set customized gaming experiences, ensuring everyone can improve at their own pace and skill level.
Autism Live Says:
This board and the accompanying app will get your teen moving, and building core muscles that are essential for everything from handwriting to focus.
Kid's Choice Toy Winner
Magnetic Fidget Pen
Ferbixo
Description
10+ Years
This decompression magnetic fidget toy pen is not just a pen, it can also be a finger fidget toy. It can be rotated and transformed into a variety of creative combinations, full of diverse play.
Autism Live Says:
Our kid judges loved these pens and the myriads of ways you could play with them.
Empowering Employment Skills Toy Winner
Monopoly
Hasbro Games
Description
8+ Years
Go big or go broke! This Monopoly game is the Family Game Night staple fans love with the upgrades they’ve asked for—plus a fresh, modern look.
Autism Live Says:
This classic game teaches tons of skills important for job readiness, planning, budgeting, negotiating, building, saving, counting, and much more!
Educational Toy Winner
Rotating Maze Cube
Discovery Toys®
Description
8+ Years
Drop the steel ball into the Initial Point hole on one side of the 3D cube. Move the cube around in your hands to maneuver the ball along a path. Get the ball to the Terminal hole to release from the cube!
Autism Live Says:
We love the focus and concentration required to win this game. It is a great problem solving game that allows for fun trial and error play.
Best Card/Board Game Winner
Organ Attack
University Games
Description
8+ Years
Do you like Doctor Games or Human Body Games? Another hit family friendly card game by Awkward Yeti! This Medical Card Game is an absolute hoot!
Autism Live Says:
We love this fun and educational card game. We’ve never had so much fun while learning biology, problem solving, medical terms, and strategy.
Boredom Buster Toy Winner
Gemstone Advent Calendar
Blue Marble
Description
8+ Years
Each day of December as Christmas approaches, kids can open a gorgeous new gemstone to add to their collection! Includes a collector’s pouch to keep all your gems safe.
Autism Live Says:
This is a great daily reward for teens who love geology. Unlock a new treasure every day in December!
Best Video Game Winner
Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time
Nintendo Switch
Description
10+ Years
Fly massive upgradable ships and man turrets, lasers, shields and thrusters in this frantic 1- to 4-player couch co-op action space game. Fight robots, all to save bunnies!
Autism Live Says:
Our judges loved the cooperative play on this game, making a great game to build social skill with peers.
Best Puzzle Winner
Marvel 3D Crystal Puzzle
University Games
Description
12+ Years
An innovative new spin on the age-old flat jigsaw puzzle category. Challenging to Complete, Beautiful to Display: This puzzle is designed for ages 12 and up.
Autism Live Says:
We love the pride that comes after completing this challenging puzzle. It makes a lovely display item.
Best Book Winner
All the Noise at Once
Simon & Schuster
Description
14+ Years
A Black, autistic teen tries to figure out what happened the night his older brother was unjustly arrested in this “propulsive” (Jas Hammonds, award-winning author of We Deserve Monuments), moving story about brotherhood, identity, and social justice.
Autism Live Says:
This book teaches some hard lessons in a stirring and emotional way. Some of the descriptions around sensory experiences are the best we have seen.
Best Art/Craft Winner
V-Blox Construction Toy
Discovery Toys®
Description
5+ Years
A STEAM balancing & building art set! V-Blox is an exploration in creativity and building fun for the entire family. Stack, nest, and balance the V-shaped blocks to create an unbelievable variety of patterns and shapes.
Autism Live Says:
We love the idea booklet that comes with this toy, it helps jumpstart creativity, also this toy can start 2-Dimensional and progress to 3-Dimensional!
Dr. Doreen’s Favorite
Letz Talk
Letz Talk
Description
8+ Years
The Letz Talk family conversation cards game contains 60 age-appropriate and thought provoking questions to get teens to open up. Instead of asking “How was school today?” use our delve deck conversation cards to learn what is really on their minds.
Autism Live Says:
Dr. Granpeesheh loves these prompts to help parents build self esteem and communication skills with teens.
Shannon's Favorite
You Laugh You Lose
Brave Bug
Description
8+ Years
This is the ultimate charades-style card game designed for 3 or more players, ages 8 and up, bringing laughter and fun to any gathering! Whether you’re hosting a family game night, a party with friends, or a fun-filled sleepover, this game is perfect for adults, teens, and kids to enjoy together.
Autism Live Says:
We love this game for teens because it gives them an opportunity to explore humor, perspective taking, and just being silly. Shannon loves this game because telling someone not to laugh is one of the funniest things ever.
Don’t forget to check out all the fabulous toy and gift winners in other categories.
You might find exactly what you are looking for there!
We at AUTISM Live
wish you the
Happiest of Holidays!
After all of your shopping is done, if you find that you have more to give, please join us in making a donation of any size to Autism Care Today (ACT). This wonderful organization gives grants to families for things like iPads, insurance co-pays, sensory equipment, GPS devices and more. Your donation could make another family’s holiday wishes come true.