Are you looking to guy a gift for a neurodivergent child? Look no further than one of Australia’s biggest and most affordable stores, Kmart.
Kmart is a wonderland for some amazing toys and gadgets that can support children’s development and be a whole lot of fun at the same time! Whether you are a parent looking for activities to do with your little ones at home or a family or friend looking to buy a gift for a neurodivergent child, Kmart is a good place to start!
As OTs, we absolutely love Kmart because they have a wide range of toys for different ages that work on a whole range of skills all at an affordable price. Hopefully to make your next Kmart trip a little easier, here are our current Kmart favourites.
IN this blog, we’ve broken down appropriate gifts for neurodivergent children by age group. There is a mixture of games, books and activities – we will keep adding to this list as we find more goodies ourselves (and remove anything they no longer stock) so save this for the future!
0 – 3 years old
That’s not my Koala Book – $8.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/thats-not-my-koala-by-fiona-watt-book-42953906/
Little ones will love touching the textured patches as they meet lots of adorable koalas. The bright pictures and textures to stroke are designed to help develop sensory and language awareness.
Skills targeted” sensory exploration, early emotion development and literacy.
2-in-1 Magnetic Farm Set with Blackboard – $15.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/2-in-1-magnetic-and-blackboard-set-42820901/
This 2-in-1 magnetic and blackboard set can be used to play and learn! The magnetic farm scene comes with animals, machinery and trees to be placed on the background. The flipside of the board is a simple blackboard for drawing and writing.
Skills targeted: fine motor, visual motor, finger dexterity.
Animal Life and Reveal Wooden Board – $10.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/wooden-lift-and-reveal-board-43264971/
Let your little one lift the pieces to reveal the hidden animal. Help teach them the animal names, their shapes and their habitats. All while improving their fine motor skills and cognitive thinking.
Skills targeted: fine motor skills, cognitive thinking, tactile skills.
4 – 6 years old
Wooden Stacking Stones
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/wooden-stacking-stones-game-43470853/
These stacking stones are a great activity for children aged 3 and up. It promotes creativity, balance and concentration as they stack the pieces into many unique structures. Perfect for imaginative play and developing key skills, it is an entertaining way to inspire problem-solving and coordination in little hands.
Skills targeted: fine motor, visual motor, impulse control, resilience and self-regulation.
Magnetic Fishing Set – $16.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/wooden-fishing-set-42882220/
Simulate their imagination while they learn and refine their skills! This wooden and magnetic fishing set comes with two rods that have magnetic tips. The child has to use the precision to attach the rod to wooden animals, treasure and more under-the-sea themed items!
Skills targeted: fine motor, concentration, cognitive thinking.
Pop the Pig – $25.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/pop-the-pig-42503835/
A fun game to play with your little ones! Give the spinner a rip, chuck a hamburger into the pig’s open mouth and pump the head! The more you pump, the larger the pig’s belly grows.
Skills targeted: Turn taking, Cause and Effect, Colour matching and Fine motor.
In my Heart: A Book of Feelings – $14.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/in-my-heart-a-book-of-feelings-by-jo-witek-42937623/
In My Heart explores emotions – happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness and more. Unlike other feelings books that tend to oversimplify, In My Heart lyrically explains what an emotion feels like, physically, inside but in a way the child can understand.
No physical skills here, but it explains what a child may be feeling in ways they can relate to which can help emotional regulation and processing.
7 – 10 years old
BUildzi Building Game – $44.95
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/carma-games-buildzi-building-game-110013047/
Take construction, problem-solving and balance to a whole new level with this more-difficult tower building game. Race the clock as you build a new design. A great game to challenge yourself or turn it into a friendly competition.
Skills targeted: concentration, pattern recognition, fine motor skills.
Air-dry Clay Kit $10.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/craft-maker-air-dry-clay-kit-43248315/
Develop those fine motor skills while making something useful for their bedroom or the home with this air-dry clay kit! This kit contains everything you need to create little plates, candle holders, bowls and more (including a project book, instructions and paints!
Skills targeted: fine motor skills, attention to detail, patience.
10 – 13 years old
Beginner Crochet Kits – Animals $10.00
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/craft-maker-cute-crochet-kit-43351374/
Bring aussie creatures to life with this crochet kit. Follow the step-by-step guide to create a furry friend at your own pace. It’s a great way to entertain older kids in front of the TV to minimise double-screen usage or to help them unwind and reset.
Skills targeted: fine motor skills, patience, attention span, self-regulation.
We will keep this list up-to-date with Kmart gifts for neurodivergent children as their stock evolves and changes.
