Toys and educational materials for autistic children
Choosing a material starts with a question: what does the child enjoy doing, and what activity would you like to share? At Henbea, we have brought together a selection for exploring shapes, following paths, threading figures and creating faces. You can compare the activities by their use and check the features of each item on its product page.
Every child has their own interests and preferences. This selection is a starting point for families and professionals: the specific decision depends on the person, the setting and the product instructions.
If you are still comparing options, start with our guide to choosing toys for autistic children.
Choose by the activity you want to offer
Match shapes and draw outlines
Montessori Shapes, item 1047, includes translucent shapes and suction cups. Its documentation describes matching and tracing activities, with or without a light table. It can be an option for preparing an activity around circles, triangles and other shapes, using a table and paper where appropriate.
Before choosing it, consider whether you want a matching activity, drawing with templates or exploring different compositions. Our article on shape and sorting activities gives examples of how to introduce one activity at a time.
Explore tracing
The Prewriting Kit, item 702, contains double-sided exercise boards and a marker. You can choose between different paths and reuse the material by following its cleaning instructions.
It is an option for anyone looking for tracing materials: the same board can be explored in different ways before moving on to another. See our prewriting ideas for preparing the space and choosing a path.
Thread figures
Shapes for Threading, item 815, brings together shapes and cords for the activities described in its manual. The figures allow you to choose an outline and decide which path to follow.
For an activity focused on clothes and characters, you can also compare Dressing Dolls, item 986. The useful difference when choosing is the activity: working with shapes or dressing figures. Our article on threading games explains how to introduce both possibilities.
Create faces and tell stories
Pim & Ton, item 862, offers pieces for creating faces and model cards. The activity can focus on choosing a composition, changing a piece or inventing a character.
Our face and expression activities include examples of conversation and play. The child can take part by creating a face, pointing or telling their own story.
For home, classrooms and centres
At home, you can start with a material linked to a particular interest. For a classroom, also decide how many people will use it, how it will be stored and what support each activity will need. Our guide to choosing and organising materials for classrooms with autistic pupils brings together these planning questions.
The product pages contain the commercial information for each item. Check current prices and availability there, and review the instructions, stated age and warnings for the version you receive. With materials containing cords, pay particular attention to the manufacturer's instructions for use and supervision.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start when looking for toys for an autistic child?
With their interests and a specific activity. Then compare the pieces, type of use, instructions and support needed. The selection guide helps you organise those decisions.
Do these activities require a light table?
The selection includes tracing, threading and face-building activities. Montessori Shapes also has documented uses without a light table. Check the chosen material and its instructions before adding other equipment.
Where can I find the instructions?
The linked product pages provide the available documentation for each product. The manuals for Montessori Shapes, the Prewriting Kit, Shapes for Threading and Pim & Ton are the sources for the features described here.
