20 Best Gifts for Kids with ADHD (Age-By-Age Guide)
Buying a toy for a child with ADHD who struggles with sitting still during play can be a challenge. But there are tons of great gift ideas for kids and teens with ADHD that are fun, relaxing and educational.
Many kids with ADHD or who fall on the autism spectrum enjoy sensory, active, hands-on experiences. Items like fidget spinners, sensory toys, Play-Doh, kinetic sand and active toys like mini trampolines and scooters are typically welcome items!
Related: 25 Best Fidget Toys for Kids with ADHD
If you’re seeking inspiration or ideas for the holiday season or an upcoming birthday, we have you covered! We’ve compiled a gift guide with 20 recommended gift ideas for ADHD kids of all ages.
Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you choose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.
How Do I Choose a Gift for a Child with ADHD?
Kids with ADHD often can hyperfocus on things they enjoy. We all possess the ability to hyperfocus; the difference is those without ADD or ADHD can often force them to hyperfocus on unpleasant or uninteresting tasks.
When a child with ADHD hyperfocuses on an activity or task, use that to help choose their gifts. Your son or daughter has a special interest in these activities and they’ll appreciate you celebrating those interests with them.
For example, my son with ADHD can often hyperfocus on art, especially painting and LEGOs, so we often do crafts and build together.
The key is to pay attention to activities the child enjoys and select something engaging that won’t overstimulate the child. ADHD kids often enjoy experiences, activity kits and things that boost their self-esteem.
Practical Gifts for Kids with ADHD
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A Personal Laptop
For kids with ADHD, the gift of a laptop to use the internet on their own is a wonderful present. A lot of kids and teens love talking to their friends online. Sitting with your child as they explore the internet is an excellent way to learn about her learning style and to teach them online safety.
However, only put a computer in your child's room once they have exhibited a knowledge of safe internet practices and you have installed parental controls. This is especially important for kids eager to make friends or who lack the necessary social skills and development to make safe online choices.
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A Tablet with an Educational Game Subscription
A tablet with a built-in game subscription, like the Amazon Fire HD with Amazon Kids+, is an excellent gift for an ADHD child.
The Amazon Fire comes with one year of Amazon Kids+, which includes educational games and age-appropriate content. It has simple parental controls and a durable protective case.
Built-in educational content and ADHD-friendly apps help your little one learn while engaging in the electronics they all want to use anyway!
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Weighted Blanket or Vest
A weighted blanket or vest can help calm a child with ADHD or autism, which increases their focus and executive function. A weighted blanket may help at nap or bedtime. A weighted vest is a discreet way to help a child with ADHD focus at school.
Fun Activities & Experience Gifts for Kids with ADHD
Sometimes gifts should simply be fun! While giving practical or needed gifts is great, an experience gift is a unique way to celebrate a birthday, Christmas or other special day!
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Concert or Sports Tickets
If your child needs a boost in making friends or developing social skills that other kids may have picked up more naturally, offer to take him and a friend to see a popular band in concert or attend a game of their favorite sports team.
One caution: Rejection is specifically painful for kids with ADHD. To avoid, getting turned down, make sure your child has a friend or family member they know would enjoy coming with them.
If your child is younger, you might help with the invitation by contacting the other child’s parents to make arrangements after your child indicates who they’d like to take.
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A Club Membership
Enrolling in a team or local club can provide structured opportunities for friendships to form. Choosing something your child is naturally inclined towards will help boost their self-confidence.
If your child is physically inclined, consider a sport like gymnastics or tennis. If they excel at puzzles and games, joining a chess or coding club could interest them!
- A Special Trip or Family Day
Nothing is better than spending a memorable time with your kid. Whether they’re a preschooler or a high schooler, a fun trip with mom or dad is the best! Center the trip around something they like.
Perhaps a day at the zoo or a trip to the city to shop and see a play. Maybe your kid would enjoy a physical activity like rock climbing or hiking.
Best Gifts for 2 to 4-year-olds with ADHD
Kids with ADHD often struggle with dexterity and fine motor control. So, toys that incorporate hand-eye coordination and build fine motor skills are great for younger kids with ADHD.
Although most kids won’t be diagnosed with ADHD until around four years old, you may notice your little one struggles more than their peers to sit still or complete age-appropriate daily tasks.
Younger kids with ADHD also tend to mouth objects more frequently than their peers, and their ADHD symptoms may present as behavioral problems at this age.
Gifts that stimulate their senses, engage excess energy and are free of choking hazards are perfect for kids two to four years old.
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Roll ‘n Go Wooden Marble Run
Cause-and-effect toys like marble runs are great for kids with hyperactivity because these moving marbles have a calming effect that helps kids focus their attention.
For younger kids, this extra large Roll ‘n Go Wooden Marble Run takes away the risk of small pieces and choking hazards and provides hours of entertainment!
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Sensory Chew Necklaces
Kids with ADHD like to put objects in their mouths. Chewing on things is one way they can release their fidgets. For little ones too young for gum, gift them safe sensory chew toys like chew tubes or chewy necklaces they can wear. Kids should never sleep with a necklace or any string around their neck.
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Squigz
Squigz is an excellent fidget and building toy wrapped in one. The starter 24-piece set is among the best toys for young kids seeking sensory input and for building hand muscle strength.
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Bouncy Toys
Help your little one bounce out some of their extra energy with a bouncy toy. The Bouncy Cow is a safe and fun riding toy for two and three-year-olds.
Not only can they bounce to their heart's delight, but they’ll develop gross motor coordination!
Best Gifts for 5 to 8-year-olds with ADHD
As your child enters elementary school, you’ll have a better grasp of their interests and talents. Fidget toys benefit school-age learners. Just make sure fidget items are approved by your child’s teacher or part of their 504 plan.
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Fidget Toys
Fidget toys come in all shapes, sizes and textures. Target has an excellent selection of fidget toys, usually in their $1 to $3 section at the front of the store or in the toy department.
You can purchase a variety pack of sensory toys if you’re unsure what your kid will like.
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Mini Trampoline
Mini Trampolines are excellent for bouncing out energy and getting physical exercise. They don’t take up a lot of room and can be used indoors and out! Jumping and movement are ideal sensory experiences when your child needs a movement break before refocusing or settling for an activity.
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Teeter Popper
A Teeter Popper is another way to provide your child with sensory input via movement. When placed on a hard floor, it moves and makes a delightful popping noise kids love!
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Sturdy Birdy: The Game of Balance
Kids with ADHD struggle sometimes struggle with balance and coordination. If this sounds like your kid, give them Sturdy Birdy.
This silly balancing game will have your kid developing gross motor coordination in a fun and stress-free way. Sturdy Birdy is a fun family game that people of all ages will enjoy!
Best Gifts for 9 to 12-year-olds with ADHD
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Rubik’s Cube
A Rubik’s Cube is a fun way to engage your ADHD kid’s brain and test their problem-solving and logic skills. Many versions of the Rubik’s Cube exist, but the original, without any bells and whistles, is still a great option!
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Sensory Putty
Sensory putty is fun, hands-on and stress-relieving. Speks magnetic putty is neat and mess-free. You can also try Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty if your tween wants something more texturized.
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LEGO Kits
LEGOs have been the ultimate kid gift for years because they check all the right boxes. They promote problem-solving, spatial awareness, math skills, creativity, hand-eye coordination, fine motor development and engineering. What’s not to love?
Some kits love LEGO kits. They enjoy following directions and building something with their own hands. Other kids enjoy the freedom of creating freestyle. Either way, with LEGOs, you can’t go wrong.
Best Gifts for Teens with ADHD
Teens with ADHD still struggle with executive function skills like organization, time management and memory.
Still, they must learn to function independently to better prepare them for high school, college and into adulthood. Here are a few ideas to help your teen with ADHD thrive
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Noise-canceling Headphones
If your teen is easily distracted while studying or completing chores, noise-canceling earbuds or headphones make a great gift! They block out excess noise and allow your teen to play music or white noise that helps them focus to get the job done!
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Fidget Cube
Older kids and teens may still need fidgets but want something less conspicuous than a stress ball or fidget spinner. A fidget cube is discreet and can be kept in a pocket or backpack when not needed.
20. Apple AirTags
Losing things and forgetfulness are both common ADHD traits. If your teen is prone to misplacing essential items, gift them some Apple AirTags.
AirTags are easy to set up and manage from their phone (something they probably rarely misplace) and are a type of security should something get stolen or left on a bus or elsewhere.
Find a Gift Your Kid Will Love
Kids with ADHD are easy to purchase gifts for once you understand how their brains work, their interests and their strengths. When in doubt, opt for something that engages their hands and minds and incorporates the senses.
Spend a little time observing the child to better understand what they enjoy or, better yet, ask them!
