Why Oral Motor Tools Can Be Game-Changers for Kids with Sensory Needs

For many young children—especially those with sensory processing differences—oral motor play isn’t just “chewing on things.” It’s a powerful way to help their bodies and brains feel more organized, calm, and ready to learn.

🌀 What Are Oral Motor Tools? Things like chew necklaces, blowing toys, whistles, bubble wands, straws, and vibration tools that give input to the mouth, jaw, and face muscles.

💡 How They Help:

• Calm or Alert the Nervous System – Chewing or blowing can help kids self-regulate when they’re overwhelmed or sluggish.

• Support Speech & Feeding Skills – Strengthens lips, tongue, and jaw for clearer speech and safer chewing/swallowing.

• Provide Safe Input – For kids who mouth non-food objects, oral tools offer a safe, clean alternative.

• Boost Focus – Regulating oral input can help kids sustain attention during school or activities.

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🎯 OT Tip: Match the tool to the goal—slow, deep blowing for calming; quick bursts or crunchy chews for alertness. Always supervise for safety.

📌 Some of My Favorite Oral Motor Tools and Activities:

• Chewy Necklaces– Great for on-the-go sensory input. This LEGO one is super fun and popular; the cloth one is perfect for shirt chewers and this cord type is my personal favorite- or try all three in this great pack.

• Chewy Tubes –The OG oral motor tool used by therapists. There are so many new inovative alternatives now. Perfect for jaw strengthening and heavy chewing needs.

• Bubble Wands – Encourages deep breathing and calming play.

• Pinwheels – A fun way to work on controlled breathing.

• Musical Blow Toys – Harmonicas, kazoos and recorders are fun and motivating for practicing breath control.

• Ball Blowing Toy  – A fun challenge for breath control, sustained attention, and visual tracking — kids love trying to keep the ball floating in the air.

• Vibrating Toothbrush – Gentle oral stimulation and gum massage.

• Electric Oral Massager – For extra tactile input around the mouth-they're so cute, too!

• Crazy Straw Pack – Works oral muscles when drinking in a fun way.

• Silicone Straw Set – Soft on teeth, reusable, and great for building jaw, lip, and tongue strength when drinking smoothies or thick liquids.

• Animal Whistle Set – Small, portable, and great for alerting input. These wooden ones are great.

  
  

💬 Does your child love to chew or blow? That’s their sensory system speaking!

Giving them the right oral motor tools can help them thrive at home, school, and play.