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! When choosing baby toys use caution to select age/skill appropriate toys that don’t have a choking hazard.
Top Toy Winner
Feeding Friendzies
Feeding Friendzies
Description
0+ Months
Feeding Friendzies is a first-of-its-kind sensory toy that transforms standard baby bottles in calming, focus-enhancing tools during feeds. Thoughtfully created by a Mom, to reduce feeding stress and promote developmental growth.
Autism Live Says:
This amazing invention reduces feeding stress and helps stimulate sensory and motor pathways. It is a great way to nurture sensory play during mealtimes.
Therapist Recommendation Toy Winner
Carrot Silicone Toothbrush
Papablic
Description
6+ Months
This playful toothbrush captures babies’ curiosity and encourages healthy oral habits early on. The fun design is ideal for little ones starting their brushing journey! Equipped with 360˚ soft bristles, this carrot silicone baby toothbrush provides thorough cleaning that reaches all surfaces of your baby’s teeth.
Autism Live Says:
Out therapists loved the safe way this encourages use of all the muscles required to brush teeth, chew food, and speak! It’s really cute too.
STEM Toy Winner
Science for Toddlers
Baby University
Description
0+ Months
The bestselling Baby University baby board book set includes educational books for toddlers written by an expert that features colorful, simple introductions to scientific principles for babies. Its approach to early learning is beloved by kids and grownups!
Autism Live Says:
This is the perfect starter series for you budding geniuses. Chris Ferrie makes science fun and easy to understand in these award-winning board books.
Speech Builder Toy Winner
Speech and Language Development Cards
Curious Baby
Description
0+ months
Created by Speech and Language Pathologists to help your infant and toddler develop speech and language skills with 26+ engaging activities that are backed by research. Give your little one the best start in developing their speech and language skills with easy activities that don’t require any extra materials.
Autism Live Says:
We love that these cards come with easy activities any parent can do with their child. There is helpful information with each card about what skills you are building, why it is important, and at what age we should be working on each of these skills.
Social Skills Builder Toy Winner
Expression Baby Dolls
Constructive Playthings
Description
6 + Months
This Set of 6 multicultural baby toys with different facial expressions representing identifiable emotions, allows children to understand what anger, happiness, and other emotions look like in their peers. Children gain a better understanding of emotions and verbalize their feelings while helping them develop strategies to comfort and handle conflicting emotions they witness in their peers.
Autism Live Says:
We love these sweet plushies and their ability to create hours of fun interactive play while labeling emotions on others faces.
Sensory Toy Winner
See, Touch, Feel
Priddy Books
Description
0+ Months
With lots to explore together, See, Touch, Feel is an ideal first book to share and read aloud with your baby. As your young child grows and learns to interact with the book in new ways, it will help them develop language recognition and motor skills.
Autism Live Says:
This is a perfect sensory book for babies and small children. We love all the interaction that is stimulated in this colorful board book.
Parents Recommendation Toy Winner
Tummy Time Music Fish
Topsochir
Description
3+ Months
This fish stuffed animal toy has high contrast patterns and soft baby mirror on the back, and each of the crinkly scales on the front has different colors and textures.
Autism Live Says:
Parents loved all the sensory aspects of this delightful fish and how effective it was in getting their child to lift their head in tummy time, just so they participate in the fun!
Oldie but Goodie Toy Winner
Wooden Train Set
ibwaae
Description
12+ Months
This stacking train set includes a buildable locomotive and three wagons, 5 pcs blocks and bricks decorated with the numbers 1 through 5. Toddlers will build developmental skills, engage in imaginative play, and have fun.
Autism Live Says:
Build, Count, Stack, and Roll! These are all great activities for small hands and growing brains. We love this well-made nostalgic toy.
Motor Play Toy Winner
Interactive Baby Ball
Move2Play
Description
6+ months
Designed with soft plush to promote safe and healthy play, this ball responds to baby’s play! Tap it to hear animal sounds and songs, roll it to create fun, and crawl play. This toy is lead free, phthalates free, & BPA free.
Autism Live Says:
We love all the fun this little ball comes with. It will encourage lots of interactive fun. We also love that you can turn the sounds off, or remove the sound sensor to throw it in the washing machine.
Kids Choice Toy Winner
Cartoon Remote Control Cars
PRETEX
Description
18+ Months
This set of 2 RC Cars includes a toddler remote control car set with a police car and race car; both with music, honking sounds, flashing headlights, and two removable action figures for imaginative play. The easy to use remote controls are steering wheel-shaped with only two buttons for simple forward and reverse motions, ideal for toddlers aged 18 months.
Autism Live Says:
Kids loved this car set that feels like a “big kid toy” but is designed for toddlers 18+mos. It is an ideal toy to encourage play with older siblings.
Empowering Employment Skills Toy Winner
Baby Wrist Rattle and Foot Finder Set
Infinno
Description
0 + Months
The bright colorful rattle socks will promote baby sensory exploration through sight, touch and sound. Baby boys and girls will be encouraged to grab and reach the bright colorful wrist rattles and foot finders. This set contains two soft wrist rattles and two foot finders. These bright colorful wrist rattles and foot finders fit easily and comfortably on baby’s wrists and ankles. Extended straps allow for continued use as baby grows.
Autism Live Says:
We love the joy these socks and wrist rattles bring while helping your child to develop eye tracking skills and an awareness of their entire body.
Educational Toy Winner
K's Kids Musical Farmyard Cube
Melissa & Doug
Description
6+ Months
This toy crinkles, it makes farm animal noises, and it plays music. There is even a plastic mirror for baby to see themselves. All of these things make this a wonderful soft toy for babies to grab, hold, interact with, and grow.
Autism Live Says:
We love the interaction of this toy! The learning never ends because the fun never ends. This is perfect for the dinosaur lover in your life. They will have hours and hours of fun learning all about these prehistoric beasts.
Best Card/Board Game Winner
Building Site
HABA
Description
24+ months
This engaging cooperative toddler board game has kids work together to build a house, fostering teamwork & collaboration. Players flip over sturdy cardboard chips to determine which pieces to move next, using the toy truck to transport the pieces to the building site in this toddler learning board game.
Autism Live Says:
This is a GREAT first game to teach things like waiting, taking a turn, winning, and losing. It is well made and we guarantee your child is going to want to play with the cute little truck!
Boredom Buster Toy Winner
Baby Musical Drum
TUMAMA
Description
18+ Months
Keep your babies engaged and on the move with this colorful musical instrument with flashing lights and music.
Autism Live Says:
This is great toy to keep your child engaged and happy. There are lots of fun things to do, they can play imaginatively or follow the colorful prompts, either way they are playing music and learning.
Best Video Game Winner
The Storypod
Storypod
Description
0+ Months
Storypod provides screen-free entertainment allowing babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to play and learn with storytelling adventures that interact with the Storypod audio player.
Autism Live Says:
This amazing player grows with your child and has the capability to interact with content from PBS kids, including Daniel Tiger and Peppa Pig! It is also great for establishing positive bedtime routines.
Best Puzzle Winner
Dinosaur Matching Egg Puzzle
TOHIBEE
Description
12+ Months
This wooden puzzle includes 6 different dinosaurs, 6 colorful eggs, and a sturdy puzzle board. It is made of natural wood, suitable for toddlers to learn in the game. This easy matching educational toy helps toddlers identify shapes and colors, while building a sense of achievement.
Autism Live Says:
We LOVE the surprise that when you lift the egg the matching dinosaur in underneath! Children love the surprise even more.
Best Book Winner
The Bedtime Book Little Wellness Books
Igloo Books
Description
3+ Years
Designed with both parents and little ones in mind, this interactive book transforms the often-challenging bedtime experience into a calm and comforting ritual. Children will love joining in as they use over 50 reusable stickers to complete scenes and routines on each page—making bedtime fun, familiar, and rewarding.
Autism Live Says:
This is a great board book for teaching all the fun and soothing ways to successfully prepare for sleep. We recommend saving the stickers for kids 3+, but add this book to your toddlers nightly reading.
Best Art/Craft Winner
Washable Finger Paint Set
Funto
Description
12+ Months
This washable finger paint set includes washable finger paints, a roll of easy-cut finger painting paper, 1 brush, 1 palette, 5 different colored sponge brushes, 5 sponge stamps, and 4 roller sponges. The finger painting paper features an easy-cut design, allowing children to customize the paper size according to their creative inspirations. This feature fosters uninhibited expression during their painting process.
Autism Live Says:
This set has everything you need to give your toddler the artistic expression they deserve. It’s non-toxic, it’s washable – it is pure creative fun!
Dr. Doreen’s Favorite
Cuddle Bug
Lakeshore®
Description
12+ Months
This soft, cuddly bug provides tons of comfort and security – an ideal way for little ones to calm themselves whenever they need it. Machine washable, this bug is designed to give a “hug” when children squeeze it.
Autism Live Says:
Dr. Doreen loves this adorable bug and its function to help children learn to regulate their own emotions. Learning to provide comfort to yourself is a powerful life skill.
Shannon's Favorite
Surprise Barn
Hahaland
Description
6+ Months
This delightful set includes a charming farm house & 6 animals. Crafted with love and care, these plush toys are more than just cute companions, they are a gateway to a world of sensory exploration and developmental play.
Autism Live Says:
Shannon loves these cute animals and all the sounds, colors, labels, and sensory learning opportunities in one cute carrying case.
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.