Find the best toys, games, and products for nurturing social-emotional skills in your child and creating a peaceful loving home. (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I’ll receive a commission at no extra cost to you.) What makes this guide to social and emotional learning tools and toys different? They all have research-backed benefits for your child’s social and emotional development They’re from companies that invest in environmental sustainability They’re practical, minimalistic, and will stand the test of time (no cheap garbage) They’re classic and often multi-purpose (aka it will live in your home for many years)
Sensory Play Items for Fun and Calm
The Inspire my Play Sensory Bin is minimalistic, durable/practical, and timeless. It comes with features that make it useful in unlimited other situations (art projects, small toy containers, etc), and will for sure be one of the rare items you keep around for 10 years. It’s designed to be suitable for wet and dry sensory play, safe for edible sensory play, easy to clean, and portable. Sensory play is so vastly important for helping to meet our child’s emotional and physical needs.
The Power of Animals for Calming and Regulating Our Nervous Systems
Our black kitty Bruce consistently moves near my 10-year-old whenever she is sad or upset and falls asleep with her at night. I’ve seen with my own eyes the power of animals for calming and regulating our nervous systems. Related read: The Best Family Bonding Activities for Christmas If you’re not ready to deal with litterboxes, and pet hair all over the furniture, this is your child’s next best option for cuddling with a co-regulation buddy.
Non-Toxic Sensory Fun and Artistic Creation
For non-toxic sensory fun and artistic creation, I recommend BioDough Natural Dough which is scented, is made of organic food-grade ingredients and is available in 9 gorgeous colors and scents using food-grade colors and fragrances. Toddler clay stimulates kids’ visual, tactile and olfactory senses. Perfect for kids’ arts and crafts.
Family Bonding Activities for Christmas and Beyond
Family Bonding Goodies Adventure Challenge Family Edition – We’re gifting this book/set to our kids this holiday season and I can’t wait to start the fun! “Obliterate boredom, break out of ruts, discover new favorite traditions, and create those “laugh so hard your face hurts moments” that you’ll tell stories about for years. Our kids grow up too fast! Let’s create fun, lasting memories that bond us together with them. The goal of The Family Edition is connection through new experiences.”
Family Game Nights: Creating Scheduled Family Bonding Time FUN!
Family game nights are my favorite for making scheduled family bonding time FUN! I’m a big fan of games that are simple to learn, silly/hilarious, and accessible for all (or most) ages. Not Parent Approved is a fun card game for older elementary-aged kids, tweens, and teens that has won dozens of awards for its ability to engage and connect families through humor. Other games that will be a hit for family bonding game night:
From Messy Slime to Calming Sensory Play
Certain slimes and putties can provide calming sensory input (calming proprioceptive input to be exact). The Discovery Putty for Kids from Fun and Function is my favorite after trying Dozens of varieties. It comes with small items that encourage manipulating the putty in a way that will provide good sensory input, and… it’s so fun!!
Integrative Health Practices for Kids
Integrative health practices can improve a child’s mood, energy, and emotional well-being when made fun and engaging. The Purrble companion was born from a collaboration between the Committee for Children, a 40-year-old nonprofit and global leader in social-emotional learning, and the creators of Second Step and The Imagine Neighborhood, and Sproutel, play-focused research.
From Stress to Calm with Sensory Play
Sensory play items are beneficial for social and emotional development in children. Research-backed benefits are considered when choosing toys and tools for social and emotional learning. Companies that prioritize environmental sustainability are preferred. Practical, minimalistic, and timeless toys are recommended.
From Boredom to Fun with Family Bonding Activities
Scheduled family bonding time can be fun with games that are simple to learn and accessible for all ages. Family bonding activities can create lasting memories. The Family Edition is connection through new experiences. From ruts to new experiences with The Family Edition, From stress to calm with integrative health practices.
From Messy to Mindful with Sensory Play
Sensory play is important for meeting emotional and physical needs in children. Non-toxic sensory fun and artistic creation can stimulate kids’ senses. Animals can have a calming effect on the nervous system. Certain slimes and putties can provide calming sensory input.
Creating Lasting Memories with Family Bonding Activities
Family bonding activities can create lasting memories. Family game nights are my favorite for making scheduled family bonding time FUN! Not Parent Approved is a fun card game for older elementary-aged kids, tweens, and teens that has won dozens of awards for its ability to engage and connect families through humor.
The Research-Backed Benefits of Social and Emotional Gifts
Research-backed benefits are considered when choosing toys and tools for social and emotional learning. Companies that prioritize environmental sustainability are preferred. Practical, minimalistic, and timeless toys are recommended.
The Power of Animals for Calming and Regulating Our Nervous Systems
Animals can have a calming effect on the nervous system. Our black kitty Bruce consistently moves near my 10-year-old whenever she is sad or upset and falls asleep with her at night. I’ve seen with my own eyes the power of animals for calming and regulating our nervous systems.
The Benefits of Sensory Play for Social and Emotional Development
Sensory play items are beneficial for social and emotional development in children. Sensory play is important for meeting emotional and physical needs in children. Non-toxic sensory fun and artistic creation can stimulate kids’ senses.
Creating Lasting Memories with Family Bonding Activities
Family bonding activities can create lasting memories. Family game nights are my favorite for making scheduled family bonding time FUN! Not Parent Approved is a fun card game for older elementary-aged kids, tweens, and teens that has won dozens of awards for its ability to engage and connect families through humor.
Conclusion
Nurturing your child’s social-emotional skills is a vital part of their development. By choosing research-backed, eco-friendly, and timeless gifts, you can create a loving home and lasting memories with your family. From messy slime to calming sensory play, from stress to calm with sensory play, and from boredom to fun with family bonding activities, there are many ways to create a peaceful and loving home.
