The Best Toys to Help a Child with Anxiety

Every parent wants to help their child feel safe, and you’ve tried everything  — gentle words, deep breathing, and lots of reassurance. In spite of this, your child still feels anxious. You feel helpless and don’t know what to do. 

One thing that you probably haven’t thought of is play. Play can be a powerful tool for managing anxiety. In fact, that’s why therapists use it (play therapy) in helping to manage various emotional conditions in kids. The right toys can help calm your child’s fears, ground them, and provide them with a sense of control. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into toys for anxiety. 

Key Takeaways 

• Toys can help reduce worry and calm anxious children. These objects are fun and they also can provide a sense of security and safety for your child. Toys are also helpful for helping children express their emotions. 
• However, it's important to choose the right toys for anxiety. Sensory toys and a great choice and so are toys that facilitate emotional expression.  Also, look for toys that are travel-friendly and feature calming textures. 
• If your child’s anxiety isn’t improving with play, it might be time to consider professional therapy. 

How toys can help with anxiety 

While toys are essential for play, they can do a lot more than simply entertain your child. Research has found that toys can help with anxiety in various ways.  

Self soothing 

The right toy can provide a sense of security and safety for children who have anxiety. Whether it’s a weighted stuffed animal or a sensory toy that is designed for self-soothing, the right toys can soothe your child and help them cope with challenging emotions. 

Express feelings 

Children can use toys to express their feelings through imaginative play. This type of play allows children to process difficult feelings. Studies have found that pretend play, in particular, is especially beneficial for helping kids cope with anxiety.   

Key things to look for when choosing toys for anxiety relief 

To help ease your child’s anxiety, it’s important to choose the right toys. They should have certain features that help soothe and manage anxiety. It is also helpful to look for toys that help your child express their emotions. Here are some features to look for: 

• Imaginative play - (kitchen playsets, action figures, dolls, LEGO blocks)
• Travel friendly (travel-friendly puzzles, weighted stuffed animal, travel-size coloring books with crayons)
• Can be used in bedtime routine (stuffed animals, bedtime routine dolls, sleep stories, soft textured books)
• Sensory features (touch-and-feel books, sensory floor mats, textured sensory balls or toys)
• Calming textures (tactile fidget toys, stress balls, soft or squishy toys, kinetic sand)

Types of toys for anxiety 

Anxiety can make your child feel like they don’t have control over anything. But, the right toy can provide not only a sense of calm and comfort, but also control. From the calming touch of a weighted teddy bear to the tension relief offered by a stress ball, the right toy is everything when it comes to managing anxiety in kids. Let’s take a look at what toys are best for kids with anxiety. 

Comfort toys 

There’s something about the way a favorite stuffed animal can melt away your child’s anxiety. Toys like this provide a sense of grounding and safety. They offer security and comfort during those overwhelming moments. 

Research shows that deep pressure stimulation (like that from weighted toys) can lower cortisol (the stress hormone) levels. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a sense of calm. 

Choose objects that have textures that are soft and invite a sense of peace. The best comfort object is one that is soothing and familiar. It should be easy to carry so your child can reach for it whenever they are anxious. 

Sensory Toys

Sensory toys are an excellent choice for helping kids manage anxiety. That’s because they offer a hands-on way to release tension and calm the nervous system. These toys help engage the senses (in particular, the sense of touch) and shift attention away from anxious thoughts and feelings. In addition, research has found that some sensory toys, like tactile ones, can slow breathing, which can help reduce anxiety. 

• For children ages 3-6, large sensory blocks, touch-and-feel books, or soft-textured squishy toys are ideal. 
• For children who are older (ages 7–12), multi-textured fidget toys, magnetic building blocks, and kinetic sand kits are great choices. 

Toys that Encourage Expression

When a child has trouble expressing emotions, toys that encourage expression can be so helpful. They can also help reduce anxiety in kids. That’s because they provide a safe outlet for your child to express their emotions. Toys like storytelling dolls encourage open dialogue. This can help your child name the emotions that they are feeling. 

Examples of these toys include: 

• Emotion plushies - These aren’t just cute. They are therapeutic, as well. These toys are meant to represent a feeling. When a child experiences big, anxious feelings, they can hug their “anxiety plushie.” 
• Emotion flashcards - Anxiety can feel overwhelming because it affects us both emotionally and physically. Kids don't always have the words to explain how they feel. Emotion flashcards help your child identify and label anxiety and other emotions. 
• Mood Bracelets - These fun, colorful bracelets are great because they encourage conversations about emotions. They can help your child express when they are anxious. 
• Watercolor sets - Watercolor sets can be a surprisingly effective tool for helping kids manage anxiety, offering both a creative outlet and a calming sensory experience. These paint sets promote emotional expression and encourage mindfulness. The act of painting allows your child to focus on the present moment. This can decrease worry, as they are focused on what they are doing. This can give them a true sense of calm. 
• Worry dolls - Before your child goes to bed, they tell their “worry doll” all of their worries This helps them release anxious thoughts that might interfere with sleep. The result is more peaceful, easier sleep. 

Mindfulness Toys 

Mindfulness toys are very helpful when it comes to helping children cope with anxiety. That’s because they help your child incorporate relaxation practices into everyday life. Mindfulness toys can be especially helpful at bedtime, as mindfulness practices promote better sleep in children with anxiety. 

To teach your child mindfulness with toys, it’s important to be consistent. Integrate these toys into your daily routine on a regular basis. Here are some of the best mindfulness toys for anxiety: 

• Breathing buddies - These are soft toys that are used to help children learn how to do deep breathing. Deep breathing can help reduce anxiety by calming the nervous system. It reduces heart rate, which promotes calmness and relaxation. 
• Stress balls - These can serve as a mindfulness toy. When a child squeezes a stress ball, it releases tension in the body. This promotes relaxation and helps to reduce the physical signs of stress and anxiety. 
• Sound machines - Sound machines aren’t toys per se, but they can be a fun way for your child to reduce anxiety. Allow them to choose a calming sound before bed. That might be nature or ocean sounds, or perhaps even lullabies. 
• Mindfulness journals for kids: These fun and interactive journals are great for anxiety. Most feature guided prompts that help express emotions and reduce worry.
  

Finding calm through play 

When used consistently, simple toys can work magic in calming a child’s anxious mind. They are an important part of your child’s coping toolbox. However, it’s important to remember that, while toys are incredibly helpful, they are not the only intervention when it comes to managing anxiety in kids. Toys work best when paired with parental support. In some cases (such as severe anxiety), professional guidance may be needed. 

What if your child’s anxiety isn’t getting better?  

Toys can be helpful, but what if they aren't enough? Are you concerned that your child’s anxiety is more than what can be managed via play? At Emora Health, we offer compassionate therapy for children in Florida and Texas. Our therapists work with children and families to manage anxiety. Let’s work together to turn anxious moments into calm ones.  Learn more and check your insurance to see if therapy is covered.