Holiday Gift Guide for Our Kids with Special Needs

Kendall Behavioral Solutions Holiday Guide: Our Favorite Toys for Kids With Special Needs

At Kendall Behavioral Solutions, we believe the best toys don’t just entertain, they support growth, spark confidence, and invite kids to build skills in a joyful, low‑pressure way. This holiday season, we’re excited to share some of our favorite toys available locally at Deluxe Toy & Hobby, located in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

Each of these items has been hand-picked by our team for its therapeutic value, sensory

benefits, and ability to bring kids together through play. Deluxe Toy & Hobby is always

wonderful at helping customers pick out special toys for special kids!

1. Lite-Brite Touch

- Builds fine-motor strength with every poke and press

- Encourages creativity and visual planning

- Offers calming sensory input through light and color

- Perfect for structured art activities

2. Galileo’s Thermometer & Fitzroy’s Storm Glass

- Provide soothing visual sensory input

- Great for curious learners who love understanding how things work

- Supports thinking, prediction, and observation

- Excellent calming tools for older kids and teens

3. Happy Hoppy Ball (18”)

- Strengthens core and balance

- Improves coordination and motor planning

- Provides safe whole-body movement

- Helps kids regulate sensory needs through bouncing

4. Sensory Bins (Beach, Ice Cream Shop, Farm, Construction)

- Provide rich tactile sensory input

- Strengthen fine‑motor skills like scooping, pinching, and pouring

- Encourage pretend play, language, and storytelling

- Easy, ready‑made setups for home or therapy

5. Step‑to‑Play Jumbo Piano Mat

- Combines movement with auditory feedback

- Supports crossing midline and motor planning

- Great for sensory seekers who love sound + motion

- Encourages cooperative play

6. Thistle Blocks

- Build hand strength and finger dexterity

- Provide tactile feedback

- Encourage creativity and open‑ended building

- Great alternative for kids who struggle with tiny bricks

7. PicassoTiles Magnetic Marble Run

- Encourages problem‑solving and engineering thinking

- Builds visual‑spatial reasoning

- Promotes teamwork and turn‑taking

- Adaptable for many ages and abilities

8. Air Toobz – Fat Brain Toy Co.

- Teaches powerful cause‑and‑effect skills

- Highly motivating for speech and engagement

- Encourages exploration and experimentation

- Perfect sensory-friendly movement fun

9. Blinkity Bot – Busy Robot Toy

- Excellent fine‑motor practice

- Teaches sequencing and problem‑solving

- Provides gentle light‑based sensory feedback

- Encourages independent exploration

10. Magic Noise Catcher

- Great for speech and expressive language practice

- Boosts confidence using sound and playback

- Encourages social interaction

- Fun, playful auditory feedback

Every child deserves gifts that meet them where they are — toys that celebrate their

strengths, support their development, and spark pure joy. Whether your child loves

movement, music, building, creativity, or sensory exploration, this year’s Kendall Behavioral Solution Holiday List has something special.

If you’re not sure which toy best fits your child’s needs, both our KBS team and the

wonderful staff at Deluxe Toy & Hobby are always happy to guide you.

Together, let’s make this season meaningful, accessible, and full of wonder.

This holiday gift giuse was submitted by: Katie Kendall of Kendall Behavioral Solutions.

Kathleen Kendall, M.Ed., COBA, BCBA, is the owner and CEO of Kendall Behavioral Solutions, LLC. She grew up in Martins Ferry, Ohio, and currently resides there with her husband and 2 children. She has over 11 years of experience working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders, trauma-informed care, and other disabilities. Katie knew the autism statistics were increasing, along with children with a background of trauma and behavior, but there was a lack of quality ABA therapy that was being provided by a BCBA in the Ohio Valley.She wanted to be able to provide the children in the Ohio Valley with a high-quality ABA program because she feels no child should go without services.

To learn more about Kendall Behavioral Services you can click here: https://kbsaba.com