Squigz “Fun Little Suckers” - Toy Review
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Since I started working in pediatrics one of the most common things parents ask for is a list of toys that are educational, sensory friendly and can help them work with their child on whatever skills they are working to accomplish in therapy. When Katie and I started our blog I knew this would be the perfect platform to share some of my favorites! Some of the things I look for when searching for the “perfect toy” and what I like to cover in our toy reviews:
Versatile – single use toys have no use in my treatment room or in my house. Toys cause enough clutter, so finding a toy that can be used for multiple activities is key.
Affordable – Raising kids is expensive and toys don’t have to break the bank!
Quiet – Toys that have speakers to play music or make sounds have their place, but quiet toys offer two very important benefits. 1. Quiet toys encourage your little one to make their own sounds! Kids have to use their imaginations and their own voices to bring these toys to life. 2. It keeps parents sane! I don’t know how many parents want to pull their hair out after hearing the same sound 100x in one day.
One thing you should know about me: I love a good pun! Fat Brain Toys The Squigz are “Fun Little Suckers” lol. Every time I see their logo on the box I chuckle. These little guys are one of my all time favorite toys to suggest to parents. Squigz are multi colored toys that come in various shapes with suctions cups on each end that allow them to stick to any flat surface and to each other. Kiddos love sticking them to tables, windows, walls and even the bathtub! These things keep kids entertained, I have seen kids play with these toys for the entirety of our hour long session.
The designers of Squigz have done a fantastic job of creating a toy that works for kids as they grown. The original Squigz are perfect for kids 3 and up. The different shapes allow their imaginations to run wild while they build whatever they can imagine. The size of Squigz makes them perfect for little hands and once they’re stuck to a flat surface, it takes a fair bit of grip strength and pull to get them to release. Not only does this help with fine motor development, but the “POP” they make when they release makes them even more fun.
For younger kiddos age 1 and up the Pip Squigz are ideal. They are larger so smaller hands can easily manipulate them, and the larger size eliminates the potential for a choking hazard. The Pip Squigz from Fat Brain Toys are designed with sensory play in mind. The body of each Squig has a unique texture for increased tactile sensation and when shaken you can hear that each one is a rattle. If you’re looking for something to keep your little one occupied during meal time, or on their first flight these are your guys! Stick them to their high chair tray or the tray table and watch them entertain themselves.
If your toddler likes Squigz but finds them easy to manipulate and remove from surfaces they are ready to upgrade to Squigz Toobz. These elongated Toobz with suctions cups on each end open up a whole new world for the imagination. They can be twisted, looped and bent. These Toobz challenge fine motor skills even more than the originals.
Bonus Points: All of the Squigz varieties are dish washer safe! And because of the nature of these toys and their ability to stick to most flat surfaces, Squigz are a great tool to encourage play on vertical surfaces. Try sticking them to the refrigerator, a sliding glass door, a shower wall or a white board.
Check out my post on playing on vertical surfaces to see why this is important and for other toys/games to encourage this type of play.
