Toys for Kids with ADHD: Supporting Focus Movement and Executive Function Through Play

Children with ADHD often experience challenges with focus and attention, but the right toys and tools can make a significant difference in managing ADHD symptoms. Anne Barber, founder of Reaware Outreach and expert in neurodivergent care, emphasizes a perspective shift in understanding ADHD.

“It’s not even attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – it’s attention difference, hyperactivity difference,” explains Barber. “Because it’s a different way of paying attention.” This understanding helps parents and caregivers better support children with ADHD through strategic play and movement.

Understanding ADHD and Movement-Based Learning

Children with ADHD are often kinesthetic learners, making traditional “sit still and focus” approaches less effective. Most kids with ADD or ADHD benefit from movement and physical engagement during learning activities.

“It may seem counterintuitive,” Barber explains, “but when you want a child with ADHD to focus on something important – like listening at church or paying attention to a family conversation – giving them something to do with their hands actually helps them concentrate. Telling them to ‘sit still, look, and listen’ often achieves the opposite effect, causing them to lose focus entirely. Their hands need to move so their minds can engage.”

How Movement Supports Learning for Kids with ADHD

• Physical movement improves concentration
• Fidget toys help kids maintain attention
• Tactile stimulation aids in information processing
• Sensory play provides an outlet for excess energy
• Fine motor skills develop through hands-on activities

Essential Tools for Focus and Attention

Fidget Toys and Sensory Solutions

HobbyTown Santee offers various fidget toys designed to help children with ADHD improve focus:

• Fidget spinners for repetitive motion
• Stress balls and squeeze toys
• Tangle toys for quiet manipulation
• Fidget cubes with multiple textures
• Sensory activity boards
• Pop tubes and worry stones
• Needoh and putty for tactile exploration

“With hyperactive-impulsive or combined ADHD, we need to give them an outlet for that need to move,” explains Barber. These tools can help kids with short attention spans stay engaged during focused activities.

Active Play Solutions for ADHD Kids

For children who are likely to fidget and need physical movement, HobbyTown Santee provides:

• Stomp rockets for outdoor energy release
• Light up sensory toys
• Interactive games combining movement and focus
• Magnetic balls for tactile stimulation

“Looking for things that move the whole body is helpful,” Barber advises. “Even indoor activities can provide necessary sensory stimulation while maintaining focus.”

Supporting Executive Function Through Strategic Play

Games and toys can help improve concentration and provide practical solutions for managing ADHD symptoms. Barber recommends specific toys and games that help children improve multiple skills simultaneously.

Games That Build Skills and Social Development

“Sorry! is going to be a great game for an ADHD child,” Barber explains. “There’s multiple reasons – there’s turn-taking, there’s planning, but there’s also emotional regulation when you get sent back to start. You have to deal and cope with that disappointment.”

For children ages 3 and up, HobbyTown Santee offers various options:

• Suspend – helps reduce anxiety and builds focus
• Strategy games – develop attention span
• Simon – enhances working memory
• Blockus – teaches spatial planning

“The whole point of having kids play is creating a microcosm of the real world for a child to learn skills that they can then take into the real world,” Barber notes.

Tools for Different Learning Environments

For School and Learning

• Chew necklaces for discrete sensory input
• Pencil toppers for focused attention
• Lap pads for deep pressure
• Fidget packs for different sensory needs
• Keep hands busy with stress relief tools

“I teach kids to color and do little doodles,” shares Barber. “That way, when they’re in an environment like a classroom or during cognitive behavioral therapy, they can be doing doodles that help them focus.”

For Home and Family Time

Solutions for sensory-seeking children include:

• Coding kits for sustained attention
• Building sets for better sleep and focus
• Interactive toys and games
• Portable fidget tools
• Tactile stimulation options

Choosing the Right Tools for Your ADHD Child

When selecting toys for children with ADHD, consider options that provide different sensory experiences and help improve focus. Individuals with ADHD often experience varying needs throughout the day.

Multi-Sensory Engagement Tools

HobbyTown Santee offers gift ideas that combine:

• Visual engagement
• Tactile exploration
• Cognitive challenges
• Physical movement
• Sensory stimulation

“You want to try to get as many of their senses involved in that play as possible,” Barber explains. “This helps children with sensory processing disorders, and ADHD may find it easier to maintain attention.”

Supporting Social Skills Through Play

Group activities can help kids with ADHD develop crucial social skills while managing hyperactive tendencies.

Collaborative Play Options

• Slot car racing for shared excitement
• Building projects encouraging teamwork
• Strategy games with cooperative modes
• Group STEM activities designed to help interaction

Expert Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Creating Success with ADHD Toys

• Start with activities matching your child’s interests
• Allow physical movement during learning
• Provide practical solutions for different energy levels
• Keep tools accessible to help children improve their focus

“When we think about environments,” Barber advises, “the whole idea is to provide an outlet through appropriate activities and toys that can help people with ADHD manage symptoms effectively.”

Finding the Right Support

While online shopping offers convenience, visiting HobbyTown Santee provides unique advantages:

• Hands-on experience with sensory fidget toys
• Expert guidance in neuropsychology and toy selection
• Opportunity to test interactive toys
• Access to specialized products for improving focus and attention

Conclusion

Supporting a child with ADHD isn’t about trying to change their natural tendencies but rather about providing tools and environments that help them succeed. The right combination of toys, games, and activities can help kids with ADHD develop essential skills while honoring their unique way of experiencing the world.

About the Expert: Anne Barber is the founder of Reaware Outreach, a nonprofit organization providing psychotherapy to neurodivergent clients. Her organization focuses on breaking down socioeconomic barriers to accessing care, specializing in supporting individuals with various neurodivergent conditions.

The information provided in this article is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individualized professional advice. Although not directly compensated for her input to this article, Ms. Barber receives indirect financial benefits from products purchased. Her opinions are her own and are not influenced by any financial incentives.