Sensory TheraPlay Box is a monthly subscription service for children on the autism spectrum, or with sensory processing issues. Each box is filled with sensory toys or games that help develop motor skills or address varying sensory needs through therapeutic play.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
After a slight mail delay, the January Sensory TheraPlay box finally arrived! Packed with fun and entertaining toys and fidgets, my kids couldn't wait to dive into this month's curation. Read below to see what we received.
What's Inside This Box
Each box comes with a one-page insert, which includes photos of the items on the front and a brief description with their values on the back. It also includes contact information and a disclaimer about how it is the responsibility of the adult to determine whether the items included are appropriate for the child. I love the fact that this sheet specifies how certain items can be used, and what goals can be accomplished. Because I work with a variety of students, it gave me an idea of which items will be most effective with which kids.
I absolutely love this month's quote and immediately added it my school bulletin board. Perfect for encouraging a positive mindset, the words: "When it rains look for rainbows, when it's dark look for stars" reminds us to have hope in all seasons of our life and is perfect for a stark sort of month like February.
Ollyball - Retail Value $18.98
Both Hank and Charlie are big sports fanatics and are always trying to sneak balls into the living room. Because of a few "accidents" all balls have been banished to the mini hoop area or outside. That is, until now. Prior to this box I had not heard of Ollyball, but it is a 12 inch ball that you can color and inflate, and is [pretty] safe for the house. With a foil balloon inside, and soft shell, we inflated and tossed it around. This ball is very soft and pretty darn accident resistant. We spiked this like a volleyball, shot it like a basketball, and played keep away, without any incidents (even when it bounced off the TV). Really fun to color, this ball is great for encouraging fine motor skill and hand-eye coordination. One thing to note though - let your marker dry before playing or you will see some smearing.
Ramen Noodlies - Retail Value $6.79
Ramen noodles are for sick days in our house, but this set of "Ramen Noodlies" is for EVERY day! Squishy, stretchy, and bright, these noodlies are amazing for de-escalation and managing anxiety. Attached together by a stretchy center rectangle, it is soooo soothing to pull, twist, and stretch these noodles, all while being mesmerized by the pretty fluorescent colors. My own kids loved these, so I set aside one glob, while bringing the rest to school. It's amazing to see how comforting a toy like this can be to adults and kids alike that are struggling!
Mimbleball! - Retail Value $19.99
While I had heard of "Mimbles" prior to receiving this subscription, I had never actually known what it was used for. This Mimbleball is a round, plush therapy tool that offers a little love, joy, laughter, and comfort. With fuzzy soft hair, and a soft body, this guy can be squeezed, snuggled, thrown, or fluffed. Included was a helpful guide for ideas on how to use the Mimbleball for comfort, and I've already utilized this guy in a variety of situations, finding the outcomes very helpful!
Thumbler - Retail Value $9.99
Any fidget that lights up is usually a hit, and this "Thumbler" was no exception. With a gyroscopic rotation, this ball spins while offering a light show of different colors. Including a magnetic base, you hold the sphere in your hand while gently twirling your wrist. Once the ball starts spinning, you can place it in the base to watch the colors fly. Useful for de-escalation, sensory stimulation, and just plain fun, this fidget has come in handy for a variety of my students, and has been one of the most used.
Dog Stress Ball - Retail Value $6.00
Hank took one look at this pug face stress ball and asked if he could keep it for himself. Cute in design, and great for anxiety and tension, this super squishy ball is slow to rise and is extra soft. Great for working hand muscles, and playing with, we have been utilizing this in the car, as well as in between basketball games for some soft toss. A small object with a ton of different uses, I am really happy this adorable pup was included!
Stretch Lizards - Retail Value $2.89
The last item we received this month was a set of stretch lizards. Featuring four different colors and shapes, these lizards are sticky and stretchy. Because they are so quiet, these work well in the classroom as well as just for fun. Charlie enjoyed squeezing the lizard feet in his hands during a pretty tricky reading assessment, and he passed with flying colors. Yay!
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $42.00 + shipping (Save with longer subscriptions)
The total retail value of our box using a mix of listed and found retail values comes to $64.64, which is over $22 off of the price of the box. That, plus adding in shipping costs means you are definitely getting a deal. Each and every item was useful and fun, and brought joy to my classroom, along with being a hit with my kids (and adults) of all ages. Overall, we are extremely happy with this subscription and utilize the contents of this box (along with previous boxes) almost every single day!
Key Takeaways
If you ask my kids which subscription box is their favorite, both my biological kids and my school kids will tell you that Sensory TheraPlay is definitely it. With a variety of sensory options, we continue to be impressed with the thoughtfulness in this curation. As an educator, I have seen a multitude of fidgets, but this box continues to surprise me! Overall, this was a fantastic box and we have utilized every single item. We can't wait to see what they have in store for February!
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To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but order by the end of February at 11:59 pm EST to receive the March box. From Sensory TheraPlay:
Boxes ship out the 1st week of each month.
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