Top 10 Toys for Nonverbal Autistic Children That Encourage Communication

Choosing the right toy for your child feels like a guessing game when they haven’t started talking yet. You want something they enjoy but something that provides fun too. Something that sparks connection and opens the door to communication.

This is why we developed this guide.

These are my 10 favorite toys for nonverbal autistic children. Each one was selected for how it encourages connection, shared attention, and communication.

And here’s the secret: It’s not just about the toy; it’s about how you play with it.

If you want practical strategies on how to turn any toy into a potential communication device, download my eBook “Make Any Toy a Learning Toy.”

Best Toys for Nonverbal Children

Every toy listed below can help your child communicate without the use of verbal speech, and in my opinion, they are the best toys for nonverbal children. That’s because communication isn’t only talking; it is also using one’s hands, signs, eye contact, pointing, exchanging pictures, or even laughing together.

Here are 10 of my top choices:

1. Wind-Up Toys

These are a classic ABA therapy favorite. Why? Because they’re fun, short, and require you to activate them, they’re perfect for building request behaviors.

What will they learn?

Requesting help

Joint attention

Waiting for a turn

Note: If you’re interested in learning more about the skills your child should know by developmental age, check out Zero to Three for a breakdown of all of these skills.

👉🏼Tip: Hold the toy near your face and wait. If your child reaches, points, or even just looks, you’ve got a moment to build on.

Here are the wind-up toys I use every day: Wind up Toys

2. Bubbles

Every ABA therapist’s go-to for a reason. Bubbles are irresistible, brief, and spark joyful reactions.

What will they learn?

Eye contact

Requesting “more,”

Shared excitement

👉🏼Tip: Say “ready…set…” and wait for your child to look, vocalize, or sign before saying “go!” My 2-year old loves these bubbles that don’t spill: Bubbles

3. Cause-and-Effect Toys

Think pop-up toys, musical buttons, or light-up toys with one clear action. These help your child learn that what they do can make something happen.

What will they learn?

Turn-taking

Imitation

Problem-solving

👉🏼Tip: Pause just before the big moment and use it to teach anticipation—“Ready…”My son loves this one, but the songs are always stuck in my head (🚨you have been warned): Floor Piano

4. Sensory Balls

Different textures (spiky, smooth, squishy) create

tactile experiences that promote body awareness and shared play.

What will they learn?

Joint play

Labeling textures

Describing sensations

👉🏼Tip: Try rolling the ball back and forth, narrating what you feel: “Oooh! Bumpy!”

In my house, these end up being dog toys… but for a few minutes, my son enjoys them: Sensory Balls

5. Animal Figurines or Vehicles

Mini animals, dinosaurs, or cars are great for pretend play—even without words. You can model gestures (like “go,” “stop,” or “jump”) or sounds (like roaring or beeping).

What will they learn?

Symbolic play

Sound imitation

Action words

👉🏼Tip: Get on your child’s level and narrate what they’re doing, not just what you want them to do.

These animal figures are “Jumbo” enough for my 2-year old to play with: Jumbo Animal Figures

6. Stacking Toys

From ring stackers to nesting cups, these toys are perfect for modeling actions like “on,” “more,” and “uh-oh” when they fall.

What will they learn?

Sequencing

Imitation

Early vocabulary

👉🏼Tip: Celebrate when something falls—“Uh-oh!”—and wait to see if your child joins in.

🚨Confession: I get this brand mostly because my wife “loves the colors” but any brand will do: Stacking Cups

7. Sensory Play Sets (e.g., kinetic sand, water beads)

These give your child the chance to explore, dig, squeeze, and manipulate—while you model actions and words alongside them.

What will they learn?

Describing

Requesting tools

Shared engagement

👉🏼Tip: Add animals or vehicles into the mix to expand pretend play.

We love these in our house. I am still refusing to by Kinetic Sand because of the mess involved… But if you’re braver than me and don’t have 2 dogs that will eat anything on the floor,. You should go for it!

8. Toy Food & Kitchen Sets

Even nonverbal children love to “cook.” Pretend play around food taps into daily routines they already understand.

What will they learn?

Sequencing

Requesting

Role play

Tip: Model simple phrases like “More juice?” or “Your turn!”

This is without a doubt my son's current favorite toy. Missing pieces and all.

9. Puppets and Plush Toys

Puppets are especially great because they can talk. This gives you a buffer and helps your child feel less pressure.

What will they learn?

Conversation starters

Gestures

Pretend dialogue

👉🏼Tip: Use the puppet to whisper secrets, make silly noises, or play peek-a-boo.

I find these in almost every classroom I go in for a good reason. Kids love puppets.

10. Books with Flaps or Sounds

Interactive books build attention span and open the door to early literacy and shared focus.

What will they learn?

Pointing

Labeling

Turn-taking

👉🏼Tip: Follow your child’s lead—don’t rush to read every word. Let them lift the flap, and you respond.

Classic flap book that I think we have 3 versions of currently in our house… somewhere.

How These Toys Support Communication

The best toys for a nonverbal autistic child do more than entertain—they create moments of connection. If you’re looking for more guidance on supporting communication through play, check out ASHA for practical tips from speech pathologists.Here’s how:

1. They build joint attention

Many children with autism struggle to share attention with others. Toys that light up, pop, or move can draw both of your eyes to the same thing—an essential early communication skill.

2. They encourage requesting

By choosing toys that require your help to operate (like wind-ups or bubbles), your child learns that communication gets their needs met—even if it’s just a look or gesture at first.

3. They promote turn-taking

Back-and-forth play is a foundation for all communication. When you roll a ball, pop a toy, or take turns stacking, you’re building those skills in real time.

4. They support symbolic thinking

Pretend play with toy animals or kitchen sets helps your child understand that objects can stand for things—just like words do.

5. They reduce pressure

Speech therapy can feel intense. But toys make it playful. With the right tools (and a few good strategies), you’re creating a safe space for your child to explore without pressure.

FAQs: What are the best toys for nonverbal autistic kids?

The best toys are simple, interactive, and require adult participation. Wind-up toys, bubbles, cause-and-effect toys, and pretend play items are especially helpful for building early communication. Additional FREE Resources

Can toys help a child with autism talk?

Toys can’t teach speech on their own—but they’re powerful tools. When used intentionally, they can help your child learn to point, gesture, make sounds, take turns, and eventually use words or other communication methods.

How can I use toys for speech therapy at home?

Start by following your child’s lead. Choose toys they already enjoy. Then:

Pause before activating the toy—wait for a look, a gesture, or a sound.

Model simple words or signs as you play.

Celebrate any communication—even nonverbal.

Repeat, repeat, repeat. Repetition builds skills. You can also download our eBook on how to turn any toy into a learning toy.

A Note on “Sensory” Toys

Many therapists who talk about autism toys focus on sensory toys, and for good reason. Sensory play supports regulation, attention, and engagement. That’s why several of my top picks include sensory elements like texture (balls), motion (bubbles), and pressure (kinetic sand). If you want to learn more about sensory toys, there are some great resources on autism speaks.

🚨But here’s the key difference:

We’re not just giving your child a toy to stim. We’re using sensory play as a bridge to connection. That’s what makes the difference.

What to Do Next

You don’t need to buy all 10 toys. You probably already own something that can work.

Want to know how to turn any toy into a learning tool?

✨Download our eBook: Make Any Toy a Learning Toy✨

Inside, you’ll find:

Phrases you can use with each toy

A printable play checklist

Tips for getting your child to want to play with you

It’s helped hundreds of parents move from worry to connection.

Related Reading

Looking for more resources?

• Talking About Autism: Parenting Scripts That Actually Work

• How Many Hours of ABA Therapy Does My Child Need?

• What Is Precision Teaching in ABA?

Still have questions? Contact us for a free consultation.

Final Thoughts

Getting your nonverbal autistic child to communicate starts from something little. A glance. Smile. Even the changing of a toy could mean something.

A complex program isn’t necessary. What you require is the correct attitude and some effective methods.

That is what we aim to support.