We would absolutely be lying if we denied our love of heart-shaped chocolate BUT because of allergies, sensory aversions, non-oral intake, or personal preference there are many individuals out there that benefit from non-edible Valentine’s goodies. No matter what the reason, we are happy to support you in your search. We have listed some of our favorites below depending on age.
Early Childhood (2-5 years old)
Coloring Books and Heart Crayons
Coloring is one of our FAVORITE activities at Roswell Speech. It can help calm stress and supports fine motor growth. Plus, there are so many adorable heart shaped crayons that you can purchase and keep it themed.
Psst…you can even make your own heart shaped crayons if you don’t mind the smell of melting wax in your house.
Squishies Squishies are ALL the rage right now with our younger clients AND they’re made in all different shapes and sizes. If you haven’t seen them, squishies can be squeezed and then return to their same shape–kind of like a stress ball for children!
Playdough with Small Cookie Cutters
This is another great sensory pleaser! A child can make “fake cookies” and then reuse and rebuild. You can also incorporate heart-shaped beads that little hands can work in and out of the dough
(note: be aware of choking hazards and age).
Cars or Planes
Things that “go” are such a great thing for language development and learning. Cars go “fast” and planes go “high”. This is a great way to incorporate some language while also having fun. Simply modify based on age and have a “wheely” special Valentine’s Day.
Elementary and Older Pop-It Gifts
Pop-its are a great non-edible option for children and can serve as a quiet fidget tool OR a calming object. They come in all different shapes and price ranges. This gift is a fun way to “pop in” and wish someone a great Valentine’s Day! Fuzzy Notebooks
Fuzzy notebooks have made a comeback and there are some ADORABLE designs out there for everyone to enjoy. Pair it with a themed pencil or pen for some writing fun. Puzzle Cubes
Puzzle cubes are a combination of puzzles and a rubik’s cube. This makes for endless problem solving and fun. There are even puzzle cubes that include coloring and personalization.
Mini-Skateboards
This is another trending toy that is simple and sensory-friendly. This is great for any child you want to “roll with” this Valentine’s Day.
We hope this supports you in your search. As always, we encourage you to find unique ways to incorporate language into every toy while also having some fun. If you’re looking for additional support with your child’s speech and language, we would love to meet for a free consultation. Schedule here: https://www.roswellspeechtherapy-ga.com/contact
Happy Valentine’s Day!
-Roswell Speech
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