Need Toy for 3 Year Old with ADHD

3 years old don't usually play board games. Clipo is perfect. I have an ADHA child and I never buy him "different" toys. Boys like boy toys. All boys do. They love to build things and then destroy them. ADHD children are usually very creative and very intelligent. Happy shopping.

C.

GEARATION...is the name of a great toy that i think would be perfect. It is a board that has one spinning wheel in the middle( it runs on batteries) and you add pieces to the center piece and they spin...he can keep adding the wheels and it is fun to see all the spinning wheels with different colors. He can create a new spinning design each time, it's very stimulating. I think it is just under $40.
Good luck

I tend to think the Clipo table would be good for him. My 17 month old granddaughter has it and loves it, and my 4 year old grandson also loves playing with it.

I have worked with many ADD kids they are no different then other little boys. I would say blocks would be a good idea. I have never met a child diagnosed at three years old. I know of some that have signs of possible ADD. I would question a doctor that would label a three year old. Have his thyroid checked somtimes little ones have overactive thyroids at three and appear to have signs of ADD. Or he may just be special like me. I have it.

Toys with lots of play value go a lot farther than "educational toys" or most of what is in the store nowadays. Every Christmas and birthday we groan when my mother in law spends a lot of money on vtech learning toys or things that you hook up to the tv, or other things that my active boys just end up breaking. However, blocks (the wooden kind with letters on them - often only available at Christmas time) or blocks with different shapes, or big cardboard blocks, or lincoln logs or tinker toys, all have lots of play value, and they can become anything with the child's imagination. An action figure is only ever going to be that action figure, and if you watch, kids who get lots of very specific toys like that end up bored by the day after Christmas, and overwhelmed with so many choices. My kids have spent hundreds of hours playing with blocks and non toys around the house (a favorite right now is elastic they raided from my sewing room). They have the most amazing imaginations and can entertain themselves for hours.

A.,
I am the mother of a 9 yr old ADHD boy and from my experience he loves to build things with blocks. He may not sit still for much but once his mind is set on building something he will spend hours doing just that. As someone said earlier these children aren't dumb they just can't concentrate on anything for too long at a time. I've learned when he's really interested in something he will settle down for that but once it's lost it's excitement for him he's on too something else. Try the clipos if that's what his mom wants or get him some of the age appropriate legos and building blocks.
I hope this helps you with your Christmas shopping.
B. D

If you like to catalog shop 2 catalogs that I LOVE that have unique toys are www.hearthsong.com and www.magiccabin.com. Even if you don't buy from them it would give you some great ideas! Good luck!

ADHD kids have a short attentions span (as you know), so toys that are alwasy the same can get boring. I recommend the chuncky Legos, Lincoln Logs, etc. My daughter loved them and each time they played with it they could make something new.

Hi - The current research (and good old fashioned common sense :) says that the best thing for children with ADHD (or not) is nature. So my suggestion would be anything that gets them outdoors - a plasma car, swing, ball - even a bag of pea gravel with a shovel and dump truck. Also repetitive motion things might be good for releasing energy - a jumpolene, those hoppy balls you sit on and bounce on, a sit-and-spin, etc.

Good luck!

Hi A.! I think you should take his mom's advice and get him the Clipo table. She mentioned it for reasons I'm sure. Don't stress yourself out. I don't think that is too young for him either. Why we put age limits on toys is beyond me. I'm 31 and still love to get down and play with 12 month toys!
Enjoy the holidays! :)

If you're looking for stocking stuffers, I might suggest "fidget toys", like stress balls, or small toys with moving (but not detachable) parts that he can "manipulate". What do his parents suggest? Many things can be made at home. There's a website that tells you how to make common OT items (some ADHD kids use them) - if you're interested, I'll try to dig it up. But I like what Dawn said - he's first and foremost, a little boy, so have fun!

A.,

I am a mom with 2 boys that have ADHD. Try this:

www.addwarehouse.com/

It is a great source for all ages.

Jenn

I actually think the clipo table might be perfect. If he is interested in that sort of thing it might actually hold his attention. It is a in accurate that children/adults with ADHD don't focus on anything. They usually have what I call an obsession. Something that really holds their attention and can keep them occupied for long periods of time especially as they get older.

The other thing is I don't know many 3 year old boys who sit still or stay on one thing very long even when they don't have ADHD.

On another note the little girl who lives next door to me is three and clipos is on her want list for christmas as well.

I would get what your sister asked you to get. She probably knows what she's talking about!

hi i dont recommend the clippo table the clippo blocks are too hard to get ot stack together my son got this for his birthday and hes 3 we returned this we got him a v motion also if he has adhs means hes hyper so try the playskool dance cam and there on sale at toys r us right now hope this helped

It's hard to find gifts for ADHD kids! I have 3 ADHD children - 2 boys and a girl who is also bipolar. When my oldest was 3-4, he couldn't sit still either and couldn't even do a puzzle until he started meds at age 4.5.

Consider what the mom suggests, simply because many ADHD kids are inmature for their age. If you feel the child is too active for this toy, try something that can engage that activity. My boys love cars/race tracks. There is a great Fisher Price track out there with Shake and Go cars. I think there is a different version of it out there now that may be less expensive.

Another thing both boys have enjoyed have been the Thomas the Tank Engine toys. If he already has some, it might be worth the investmest to add to the collection. Building tracks really is creative, and if he can't sit still to do it yet, it's a great thing to do with parents or older siblings.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

not sure what adhd has to do with this but cars all kids and boys love cars! also legos lincon logs or yes the bristle blocks would bee fun!

.

Hi!!!

Well... don't guess this is what you're looking for,but... I think you should get what the mom requested ( if that's within your budget). I don't know EXACTLY what that table is, but it doesn't sound too young for a three year old - especially if it's something he'll enjoy. ... Plus.. if it is something he'll enjoy, it'll give his mom a well-deserved break from the ADHD mayhem. :0) ADHD kids do usually focus in on things they really enjoy doing. It's the not-so-interesting-to-them stuff that gets them going wild.

Godspeed to you & the boy & his mom,

L. in TN
( teacher of spec. needs kids & mom to an ADHD teen girl)

If he has a lot of energy how about on of those bouncy balls that has a handle on it. The child sits on it, holds onto the handle and bounces around. Might help him burn of some energy.

my son likes action figures, the chunky ones without the little pieces might work. Little people have always been a hit with him too. Mega blocks, trucks, role play toys like hulk mask, ironman, etc., building blocks, hotwheels tracks, dinosaurs. Hope this helps
A.

Good Luck! my daughter is ADHD, and she is now 9, but the one thing that I bought her when she was younger that she still uses today is one of those tables you see at the Dr's offices....it has the beads that you push around the metal loops....I hope you understand what I am trying to explain. It is something though that she can move and keep occupied with. The one I got my daughter was about $25 and believe it or not I got it in the ABC Catelog. I saw one last year, so maybe that would be a great place to start. If you don't know what I mean, feel free to reply and I will try to explain it better, but if you go to a Dr's office or even the emergency room, you will see that kids of all ages play with it. I really do wish you good luck and happy shopping!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Sometimes when I think something is too old for a child, I think that they are going to have an entire year to grow into it before the next Christmas. I always buy a bit older anyway b/c they don't get gifts again till bday or Christmas. Even if he is too young, he may grow into it in 6 mos. If it is over your budget, ask grandparents or another family member to split it with you. What about getting the bristle blocks? What about dress up costumes that he can dress up and run around in? He would not have to sit still. What about a tool bench or some tools? They have them age appropriate. Leap Frog that talks so he can learn? Matchbox cars?

W.

How about a beanbag tic-tac-toe game? You have the tic-tac-toe grid on a plastic thing of blocks that spin around. You throw the beagbags from a short distance away and try to turn over the right blocks. He's young to understand the need for 3 in a row, and might not be able to hit any squares yet, but might. Anyway, he would probably enjoy throwing the beanbags, and as he grows he can learn the rules. Meanwhile, he can learn about taking turns in games, because he will have to wait for his turn to throw. I'm a child psychologist and have seen this used with ADHD kids. I also agree with the people who say that "normal" boy toys are good. I'm sure you'll get something that will be fine. You have lots of good suggestions. Merry Christmas!

Anything that makes noise would probably be liked. Like a tamborine, maroccos, clackers or xylophone.
M.

The best gift you could EVER get for your nephew with ADHD is to tell his mother about the website www.feingold.org. Feingold is a 30yr old non-profit organization whose purpose is to inform the public about petroleum-based artificial ingredients in our food supply. These additives cause ADD, ADHD, OCD and many other behavioral, emotional and physical side effects. Feingold is the leading authority on this subject. They were a Godsend for our family. Plese tell your sister.

Maybe you could get him a mini-trampoline for the house. I'm serious! It is in the shape of a triangle on short legs and has a set of handle bars to hold on to. It has music he could play while jumping. My neighbor has one and since my daughter was 2 she goes wild over the thing. I think they run about $60 though..maybe someone could go in on halvsies with you? With ADHD that kid would be tired out and extremely happya at the same time!

My name is T. I am a educational consultant for Discovery Toys. I love Discovery - their toys are very safe and all educational and very fun! They have not had a reacall in 30yrs. I would suggest the following toys from Discovery: I am not sure or your nephew's ability level, some of these are suggested for 4yrs and up, but my son who is almost 3 plays with these.

Busy Bugs #2109 (3yr and up) $17.99 - my son loves this it has bugs and lets the child sort match and practice patterns!

Playful Patterns #2930 (4yr and up) $19.99 - Shape recognition, creating patterns or matching shapes to make patters! This is a pogressive toy so he will be able to work the harder puzzles with practice but be able to do the easier ones now!

Inside out puzzle #2424 $17.99 (4yr and up) This is a wodden puzzle that changes from 2d to 3d. It has 24 woood pieces and is based on a Home theme. It has a car dog family and pieces that would fit into a home.

Bright Builders - #2290 (3 and up) $24.99 This has star-shaped connectable large sized pieces. The ends of the stars interlock three different way which makes building fun and easy!

Motor works - #2288 (4yrs and up) -29.99 My son loves this too. Although he has a little harder time if he takes them totally apart - I have to help him put them back together- Has a working battery operatd drill (triangular head to make it easy)the drill is used to take apart and put together the motorcycle, acecar and airplane - very colorful and cool. Once together the vehicles can be rolled around just like any other vehicle as the wheels move when the child pushes them. Oh it also comes in its own tool-box like carrying case!

There are lots of other toys to choose from Discovery these are just some of my favs for the little boys! Feel free to check them out: www.discoverytoyslink.com/rassega
if you have any questions or want to know more about some of the toys feel free to contact me and I will call you or give you my #.

Good luck - from a previous SE techer - buy him something that will challenge his mind. Often ADHD children are very bright and the more challenged they are the better they are able to focus. When bordem sets in that is when they tend to wonder off and loose interest- but don't we all.

My son is now 8 and we've dealt with ADHD since he was around 3. First, he loved LEGO'S at that age, still loves them. Second, don't be too quick to think that board games are out b/c of inability to sit still. ADHD kids can sit still for HOURS, if it's something that they enjoy! It's when they have to put forth extra mental effort on something that doesn't hold their interest that the squirminess ensues. Good luck!

get him something that moves fast like a little track with some cars.The ones that he will have to pickup at the end and put back on top.