Back-to-school season comes with fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the familiar buzz of a new year. For many students, though, success in the classroom requires more than supplies from the standard checklist. Sensory tools can be the difference between just “getting through the day” and actually being able to focus, regulate, and learn.
I’ve seen firsthand how the right supports make school more accessible. Here are ten sensory tools that I recommend — not because they’re trendy, but because they truly help kids (and adults, including me) thrive.
1. Noise-Canceling Headphones
Classrooms and cafeterias are loud. The pencil sharpener, the fire drill, or even the constant chatter can overwhelm people with auditory sensitivities. Noise-canceling headphones give control of the environment, helping focus on the task at hand without the constant drain of background noise.
For Kids and Toddlers
PROHEAR Adjustable Headphones→ Lightweight, adjustable fit, sized for younger heads. Great for reducing noise during assemblies, field trips, or noisy classrooms.
Snug Kids Earmuffs→ Affordable, durable, and foldable. A simple option for toddlers or preschoolers who need quick sound reduction.
For Teens and Adults
Sony WH-1000XM5→ Industry standard for active noise canceling. Comfortable for all-day wear, excellent for study sessions, public transportation, or work environments.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30→ A budget-friendly option with surprisingly strong noise canceling and a comfortable fit. Perfect for students who need focus without a premium price tag.
2. Weighted Lap Pad
Weighted lap pads aren’t just comforting — they provide what’s called deep pressure stimulation (DPS). This input activates the proprioceptive system, the body’s internal GPS, which helps regulate the nervous system. By reducing stress signals and promoting calm, a simple lap pad can make noisy, unpredictable environments easier to manage.
For Kids
Harkla Weighted Lap Pad → Soft, minky fabric with multiple weight options.
For Teens and Adults
Sensory Lap Pad with Washable Cover→ Slightly larger design, easy to clean, and discreet for older students or workplace use.
3. Compression Garments (Vests, Shirts)
Some students benefit from consistent, all-day input rather than just in-the-moment tools. Compression clothing provides gentle, even pressure that helps maintain regulation throughout the school day.
Unlike weighted tools, which are often used for short periods, compression garments can be worn during class, transitions, or even on the playground. They’re subtle, comfortable, and increasingly available in sensory-friendly designs that blend in with everyday clothing.
Compression garments provide deep pressure stimulation (DPS) through the proprioceptive system — the body’s awareness of muscles and joints. That steady input helps calm the nervous system, reducing “fight or flight” responses and supporting focus. For some kids, this kind of background regulation is essential for getting through long, unpredictable school days.
Compression Vest for Kids, Teens and Adults
Fun and Function Under Hug Compression Vest→ Lightweight, adjustable, and designed specifically for kids who need extra calming input during the day.
Compression Shirt for Kids/Teens
Sensory Basics Kids/Teen Compression Shirt→ Moisture-wicking and comfortable, looks like standard athletic wear but doubles as a sensory support.
4. Chewelry (Chewable Necklaces or Pencil Toppers)
Some people regulate best with oral input — chewing provides proprioceptive feedback that calms the nervous system. Instead of fighting that need, chewelry offers a safe, durable, and discreet option. It protects clothing, reduces frustration, and, most importantly, respects sensory needs as real and valid.
Chewing provides oral proprioceptive input — steady pressure feedback that helps the body and brain feel grounded. For many, this input lowers stress and supports focus. Chewelry doesn’t “fix” anything; it gives people the choice to meet their sensory needs in a way that works for them.
ARK’s Brick Stick Chew Necklace → Durable, available in multiple toughness levels, and designed specifically for oral sensory needs.
ARK's Crypto-Bites Pencil Topper Chews → Great for school; turns a common chewing outlet into a safe support.
Munchables Chew Necklaces→ Designs that look like jewelry, blending function and style.
5. Therapy Putty
Fidgeting isn’t misbehavior — it’s regulation. Many people concentrate better when their hands are engaged, and therapy putty offers a safe, quiet way to do just that. The soft resistance keeps hands busy, which can help the brain focus, while also providing opportunities to build hand strength and coordination.
Therapy putty provides tactile and proprioceptive input. The resistance engages muscles and joints in the hands and fingers, giving steady feedback to the nervous system. That feedback supports self-regulation, reduces anxiety, and can increase focus. Because the material can be stretched, squished, or pulled, it offers flexibility that other fidgets don’t.
CanDo Theraputty Exercise Putty → Comes in multiple resistance levels from soft to firm.
Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty → High-quality, endlessly stretchable, available in glowing, color-changing, and textured varieties that make it fun as well as functional.
For Teens and Adults
Special Supplies Therapy Putty Set → Includes different colors and strengths in one kit.
6. Fidgets and Sensory Sets
Not everyone regulates in the same way. Some people need steady movement, others benefit from texture, while some prefer clicking or spinning. Fidget cubes and multi-item fidget sets give options to explore and let each student or adult figure out what feels grounding.
These tools aren’t about “keeping hands busy so kids behave” — they’re about recognizing that movement and sensory input are valid needs. When used intentionally, fidgets can reduce anxiety, increase attention, and provide an outlet for energy in a way that works in classrooms, offices, or at home.
Fidgets provide tactile and proprioceptive input, as well as rhythmic movement that can help regulate the nervous system. For many, this input calms the body enough that focus and engagement improve. They also support self-determination: students can choose the tool that matches their needs in the moment.
Antsy Labs Original Fidget Cube → The classic cube with six different sides (click, roll, spin, flip) to cover multiple sensory needs in one tool.
Push Peel Sensory Board → Sometimes the best tools are the simplest. The Push Peel Sensory Activity Board is a silicone fidget toy designed for calming, focus, and stress relief. Unlike many fidgets that make clicking or popping noises, this one is silent — making it a great option for classrooms, meetings, or quiet spaces where regulation is still needed but distraction isn’t welcome.
Ono roller, Handheld fidget for Adults → Sleek handheld fidget that works well for teens and adults who want something subtle.
7. Visual Timers
Time is abstract. Phrases like “five more minutes” don’t always translate into something meaningful, especially for students who benefit from concrete, visual cues. Visual timers turn time into something you can see.
For example, the Time Timer MOD uses a disappearing red disk to show exactly how much time remains. This helps make transitions predictable, reduces anxiety, and supports independence — not because kids can’t understand time, but because all brains process it differently.
Visual timers provide visual and temporal input together. By pairing the concept of time with a moving, shrinking visual, the brain doesn’t have to rely only on abstract numbers. This supports executive functioning, reduces uncertainty, and makes transitions less stressful.
Importantly, timers don’t “fix” behavior — they honor the need for predictability and clarity.
Time Timer MOD – 60 Minute Visual Timer → The gold standard in classrooms and therapy settings, durable and easy to read.
Secura 60-Minute Visual Countdown Timer → More budget-friendly, with a similar disappearing-disk design.
moos Clock Cube and Timer → Combines digital display with a visual countdown bar, good for students who prefer tech-forward supports.
8. Pop Bubble Fidgets
Beyond simple regulation, bubble fidgets can also double as learning tools: for math games, turn-taking activities, or transition rituals that help students shift from one task to another. Their durability and low cost make them a practical addition to classrooms, therapy rooms, or home settings.
The repetitive “pop” provides tactile and auditory input together, offering predictable feedback that can regulate the nervous system. This kind of rhythmic, repetitive motion is known to be calming for many people. Importantly, the point isn’t to stop fidgeting — it’s to provide a tool that makes fidgeting supportive and effective.
Johan and John Sensory Fidget Toy → Durable, brightly colored, great for classrooms or families who need extras.
Big Pop It Multiplication Chart → Oversized version that doubles as a group activity or learning tool.
Keychain Mini Pop It Fidgets → Portable, attaches to backpacks or pencil cases for quick regulation on the go.
9. Sensory Swings (for Home Use)
Sometimes regulation takes more than a small, desk-friendly tool. Sensory swings provide full-body input through gentle motion and cocoon-like pressure, creating a space where kids (and adults) can reset.
At home, a swing can make the difference between carrying stress from the school day into the evening and being able to transition calmly into homework, dinner, or family routines. They aren’t a “reward” — they’re a way to meet the body’s need for movement and deep pressure in a safe, consistent way.
Swings engage the vestibular system (the body’s balance and movement center) while also offering deep pressure input through compression fabric or hammock-style wraps. That combination supports regulation of the nervous system, improves body awareness, and promotes a sense of safety. For many, just 10–15 minutes in a swing can dramatically improve mood and focus.
Harkla Sensory Pod Swing →Cocoon-style swing with inflatable seat cushion, designed for comfort and gentle vestibular input.
OUTREE Kids Pod Swing Seat → Budget-friendly option, durable and easy to install indoors.
Aokitec Therapy Swing for Kids → Four-way stretch cotton/lycra blend that provides compression as well as swinging motion, great for kids who benefit from deep pressure.
10. The Backup Hoodie
Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. A soft, oversized hoodie offers warmth, gentle pressure, and a built-in sense of safety. It’s versatile, socially acceptable in nearly every environment, and something many kids and teens already reach for instinctively when they need comfort.
Unlike specialized sensory tools, a hoodie doesn’t draw attention. It can be worn to school, in the car, or at home, making it an easy regulation tool that blends seamlessly into everyday life. I often call it the “weighted blanket you can wear.”
Hoodies provide proprioceptive input (through gentle pressure on the shoulders, arms, and torso) and tactile comfort from soft fabrics. This combination can calm the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and support focus. Because it’s both functional and familiar, a hoodie is often one of the most accessible ways to provide sensory support without needing a specialized item.
Sense‑ational You Sound Reducing Sensory Hoodie→ Soft fleece, sensory-friendly design, eye mask built in and a sound-reducing hood. Great if you want something discreet but with extra calming features.
Nautica Sensory Hoodie → Affordable and comfortable, available in multiple sizes and colors.
Flutterby Weighted Sweatshirt → Weighted hoodie for home use, great for kids or adults who benefit from maximum comfort