Be A Problem Solver’s Holidays Gift Giving Guide (For Kids, Teens & Parents!)
The holidays are supposed to be magical… but for a lot of families (especially with neurodivergent kids and teens), they’re also loud, busy, and a little overwhelming. When parents ask us for gift ideas, we like to think beyond “cute and trendy” and focus on things that actually support regulation, creativity, connection, and everyday life skills.
That’s how this Holiday Gift Giving Guide was born. These are therapist-approved favorites for kids, tweens/teens, and parents - things that can help with sensory needs, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and family bonding, while still being genuinely fun to open.
A quick note: some of the links below are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them - at no extra cost to you. We only recommend items we truly like and would use with our own families and clients.
Gift Ideas for Kids
We recommend Loop Earbuds because they reduce overwhelming background noise while still allowing kids to hear clearly. This helps with sensory regulation, improves focus in noisy environments, and supports calmer, more comfortable participation in daily activities.
We recommend positive affirmation cards because they help kids build confidence, practice positive self-talk, and manage anxiety. Seeing encouraging messages regularly can support emotional regulation and strengthen a child’s sense of self-worth.
We recommend Wikki Stix because they offer a fun, hands-on way to build fine-motor skills, encourage creativity, and keep kids engaged. Their flexible, sensory-friendly texture can also help with focus and calming.
We recommend air-dry clay because its soft, moldable texture builds fine-motor strength, supports sensory regulation, and encourages creative expression. Working with clay can also be calming and help kids focus.
We recommend a balance board because it helps strengthen core muscles, improve coordination, and support overall body awareness. Using it can boost focus, confidence, and regulation through movement.
A Client favorite in a FV office we recommend a hanging sensory chair because its gentle swinging provides calming vestibular input, helping kids regulate their bodies, improve focus, and feel more secure and relaxed.
Gift Ideas for Tweens and Teens
We recommend positive affirmation cards as a gift for teens because they encourage self-confidence, promote positive self-talk, and help teens manage stress or anxiety by reinforcing a healthy, empowering mindset.
We recommend a daily habit tracker as a gift for teens because it helps build routine, promotes responsibility, and encourages goal-setting. Tracking habits visually can boost motivation, organization, and self-confidence.
We recommend a journal with a lock for a teen because it provides a private, safe space for self-expression, reflection, and emotional processing, helping them manage feelings and build self-awareness.
We recommend a cube fidget as a holiday gift because it provides a discreet way for kids to release nervous energy, improve focus, and manage stress or anxiety. Its tactile features also support sensory regulation and fine-motor skills.
We recommend gel pens as a holiday gift because their smooth, colorful ink makes writing and drawing more enjoyable, encouraging creativity, fine-motor practice, and positive engagement with writing tasks.
We recommend the Kanoodle game because it strengthens problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and fine-motor skills while keeping kids engaged through fun, hands-on challenges.
Gift Ideas for Parents
We recommend a label maker for parents to help create clear, consistent organization at home, which can reduce overwhelm, support routines, and make it easier for kids—especially those with executive-function challenges—to be independent.
We recommend a sunrise alarm clock because its gradual light helps people to wake up more calmly and consistently, supporting smoother morning routines and better overall regulation for the whole family.
We recommend a family game as a holiday gift because it encourages social connection, teamwork, and communication while providing a fun, structured way for families to bond and practice patience and turn-taking.
We recommend stress relief tea because its soothing warmth and calming herbs can help kids and parents relax, reduce anxiety, and support emotional regulation.
We recommend a weekly planner whiteboard to help kids and families organize schedules, build routine, and improve time management, making daily tasks and responsibilities easier to track and follow.
We recommend noise-canceling earbuds for parents to help reduce overwhelming background noise, support focus and calm during stressful moments, and provide a brief, restorative sensory break when needed.
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