Developmental Toys

Developmental toys for special needs, chosen for children who learn through touch, movement and handling things. These motor skills toys, cause and effect toys and simple games give plenty of practice at gripping, turning, threading and taking turns.

In the range you'll find the Jack in the Box, where turning the handle plays music until the clown pops up, colour-coded Large Sand Timers for waiting and turn-taking, soft foam Animal Magic Mirrors that bend to change a reflection, and Cloud Putty to stretch and squeeze. SENCOs, teaching assistants and parents use them for one-to-one work, small groups and play at home.

Choose by the skill you want to practise: hand-eye co-ordination toys for threading and stacking, balance and movement equipment for whole-body play, Easi-Grip scissors for early cutting, and blowing toys for whistle and bubble games.

Build a sensory pack Five quick questions, then we pick best sellers to fit your budget.
553 products

Matching Textures Bag

£19.95 ex VAT
£23.94 inc VAT

Developmental: your questions answered

What are developmental toys for special needs?

They are toys chosen to give practice with a particular skill, such as grasping, turning a handle, threading, balancing or waiting for a turn. For children with special educational needs (SEN), simple toys with a clear reward give lots of repetition without it feeling like work, and the range runs from motor skills toys to cause and effect games.

Which colour Large Sand Timer shows which time?

They are colour coded: red is 30 seconds, green 1 minute, pink 2 minutes, yellow 3 minutes, blue 5 minutes and orange 10 minutes. Each timer is 160 x 70mm with moulded end caps and a thick wall surround, and they are made with the classroom in mind, for showing how long a turn or task will last.

How heavy is the Weighted Sensory Snake?

It is filled with approximately 1.7kg of beads inside a soft plush body. It can hang around the shoulders or coil up on a lap, and it is designed to give deep pressure input during the day. For lap pads, blankets and other weighted items, see our weighted toys and lap pads.

Why is a Jack in the Box in the developmental range?

Because it rewards a simple action with a clear result. Turning the handle plays music, then the smiling clown pops up, so children practise turning a handle and learn to wait for the surprise. At 150mm wide and 155mm high it sits easily on a table for one-to-one or small group work.