Top 10 Special Needs Swings
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Special needs swings are powerful adaptive tools to encourage a child’s development. Especially when it comes to sensory integration and therapy use. But you may wonder what are adaptive swings, and why should you use one? If you have a child with sensory challenges, coordination or balance difficulties, motor delays, or Autism this article is for you!
Let’s explore 10 of the best special needs swings for kids.
Why Use a Special Needs Swing?
An adaptive swing may be the perfect outlet for your child to improve mood or to release much-needed energy.
These swings are intentionally designed to encourage…
- Vestibular input (sense of head movement)
- Motor skills (like trunk control)
- Spatial awareness
Plus, swinging is a FUN thing to do! While the swing is in motion, the vestibular senses are put into action. The vestibular response is crucial to a child’s development, to allow them to feel secure and confidant in their body. The soothing back-and-forth motion provides a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
Platform Swing
For Ages: 1 year and up
Weight Limit: Up to 300 pounds
Best For: Self-regulation (calm or alert), Therapy sessions
Overall Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
A platform swing is commonly used among occupational therapists to expose a child to new sensory experiences.
The swing offers tilting movements to help a child in a few ways:
- Balance
- Strengthen core muscles
- Correct postural adjustments
- Promote body awareness
The carpeted platform swing may be used to either calm or alert a child’s senses to improve focus and mood.
Final Verdict: A wonderful therapeutic tool to use for sensory integration. This swing may be used by parents or therapists.
►► View Now: platform swing ◄◄
Giant Outdoor Platform Swing
For Ages: 1 to 10 years
Weight Limit: Up to 75 pounds
Best For: Laying down
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
This giant outdoor swing is designed for kids to comfortably lie down on. The polyester fabric is water-resistant making this swing durable and long-lasting. Rain or shine it’s a wonderful activity for sensory-seeking kids.
Final Verdict: A supportive high-quality therapeutic tool to provide sensory integration.
►► View Now: Giant outdoor platform swing ◄◄
Full Support Swing Seat
For Ages: 1 to 11 years
Weight Limit: Up to 75 pounds
Best For: Supporting kids with Autism, Low muscle tone, Sensory issues
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
If you need a durable swing with added support, this one is safely reliable. The swing supports a child with low muscle tone. It helps to improve body strength, balance, posture, and motor planning.
Final Verdict: For kids who need additional security and support to swing freely.
►► View Now: Full Support Swing Seat ◄◄
High Back Full Bucket Toddler Swing Seat
For Ages: 2 to 4 years
Weight Limit: Up to 40 pounds
Best For: High back support
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
For your toddler to swing safely, this seat offers unique high back support. The full bucket seat attaches to most swing beams up to 9 feet high. Plus, the soft-coated chains are made to prevent little fingers from pinching.
Final Verdict: One of the top toddler swings for heavy-duty back support.
►► VIEW NOW: HIGH BACK FULL BUCKET TODDLER SWING SEAT ◄◄
Harkla Indoor Therapy Swing
For Ages: 4 years and up
Weight Limit: Up to 200 pounds
Best For: Sensory needs to calm or self-regulate
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
There is something so cozy about the soft fabric to make you want to lounge in this swing. This sensory tool is designed to create a calming and soothing environment. It provides sensory pressure (squeezing you as you sit) while creating a safe space. It’s super flexible to allow plenty of wiggle room to bounce, swing, or stretch.
Final Verdict: A calming and playful sensory tool to encourage body awareness, motor planning, and balance.
►► View Now: harkla indoor therapy swing ◄◄
Web Tower Swing
For Ages: 4 years and up
Weight Limit: Up to 330 pounds
Best For: Sensory integration, Climbing
Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars
For active climbers who are sensory seeking, this swing is a fun way to release energy.
It comfortably holds up to 4 people making it a popular group activity.
While in motion, the web swing encourages balance, coordination, and motor planning.
Final Verdict: The perfect tool for sensory integration therapy or to enhance a child’s motor skills.
►► View Now: web tower swing ◄◄
Bolster Swing
For Ages: 4 years and up
Weight Limit: Up to 150 pounds
Best For: Enhancing motor skills, Core strength
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Do you need a fun indoor sensory activity to boost your child’s motor skills?
If you answered yes, this swing may be a fit for you.
It is an engaging activity that forces kids to balance and react during movement.
The swing offers proper head and body alignment in different positions like sitting, straddling, swinging side-to-side, or back-to-front.
Final Verdict: A fun indoor activity to calm or stimulate a child’s senses while developing motor strength.
Sorbus Spinner Swing
For Ages: 5 to 15 years
Weight Limit: Up to 220 pounds
Best For: Balance
Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars
The comfy net design is a cozy escape for your child to relax or get active.
While sitting on the squishy net, it immediately encourages a child to balance.
The net is big enough to hold up to 2 to 3 people.
Plus, it’s super easy to hang up almost anywhere you want like a tree or swingset.
Final Verdict: An entertaining outdoor activity to develop a child’s balancing skills. Enjoy swinging solo or with a group of friends.
►► View Now: sorbus spinner swing ◄◄
Deluxe Swing with Pommel
For Ages: 4 years to12 years
Weight Limit: Up to 75 pounds
Best For: Upper body support (neck, torso, back)
Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
One word describes this seat, STURDY.
The hard plastic shell makes it long-lasting too.
The spacious seat and high back support benefit your child’s torso, neck, and back.
Included are hanging ropes to use the swing for both indoor or outdoor use.
Final Verdict: For kids who need a durable swing to support their upper body.
►► View Now: deluxe swing with pommel ◄◄
CCTRO 3 in 1 Swing Seat
For Ages: 6 months and up
Weight Limit: Up to 300 pounds
Best For: Versatile use to grow with your child over the years
Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
If you need a swing designed to meet the demand of your growing child, this one turns into 3 unique swings for:
- Babies (6 months to 3 years)
- Toddlers (4 to 6 years)
- Teenagers (7 years and up)
For babies and toddlers to stay safe, there is a T bar in front and a belt attached to the back.
The belt ensures proper positioning.
There is also an adjustable nylon rope to prevent the swing from tipping.
►► View Now: cctro 3 in 1 swing seat ◄◄
Common Questions and Answers (with Videos!)
What are sensory swings for?
Sensory swings are fun tools to support and encourage a child’s development.
Especially children with sensory needs, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism, or ADHD.
How does a child benefit from swing play?
Swing play or swing therapy helps a child in a few ways…
- Improve balance and coordination
- Strengthen hand-eye coordination
- Enhance vestibular input
Check out this short clip below of an occupational therapist who shares two of her favorite swings to use along with exercises.
The two swings in this video are similar to the two swings we explored above; Platform Swing, Harkla Indoor Therapy Swing.
How does a sensory swing work?
Sensory swings are specifically designed to challenge and develop a child’s hand-eye coordination and movement. It also a therapeutic outlet to slow down a hyperactive child.
What are the different types of swings special needs kids love?
Here are the most popular swings geared towards children with physical disabilities or sensory challenges:
- Belt swing (like the Full Support Swing Seat above)
- Web swing (like the Sorbus Spinner Swing or Web Tower Swing above)
- Full bucket swing (like the High Back Full Bucket Toddler Swing Seat above)
- Trapeze swing (like the Bolster Swing above)
- Surf swing (like the Giant Outdoor Platform Swing above)
- Compression swing (like the Harkla Indoor Therapy Swing above)
Does a sensory swing work?
Yes because it helps a child overcome distractions that are caused by their vestibular system.
The back-and-forth motion soothes and relaxes a child.
This is why you often see sensory swings (such as a compression swing) used in schools or therapy settings.
Here is a quick clip showing you how to use a compression swing like the Harkla Indoor Therapy Swing we just explored).
Thank You!
I want to wrap up by extending my gratitude to thank you for stopping by today!
What’s your favorite special needs swing to use?
I’d love to hear what it is!
Your input helps other fellow readers and may even inspire a future post here at Intensive Therapy for Kids.
Comment below “The swing I can not live without is ____________________”.
Let me know if you have other recommendations, questions, or anything to add that I did not cover in this post.
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Excerpts taken from my blog here.
