Top 12 Special Needs Swings (Powerful Therapeutic Tool)

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 be wondering 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 12 of the best special needs swings for kids.

Be sure to stick around from start to finish to find out how these uniquely designed swings are safe and different from the others.

Why Use a Special Needs Swing?

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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 confident in their body.

The soothing back-and-forth motion provides a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

1. Deluxe Swing with Pommel

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For Ages: 4 years to12 years

Weight Limit: Up to 75 pounds

Best For: Upper body support (neck, torso, back)

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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 and outdoor use.

Final Verdict: For kids who need a durable swing to support their upper body.

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2. Full Support Swing Seat

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For Ages: 1 to 11 years

Weight Limit: Up to 75 pounds

Best For: Supporting kids with Autism, Low muscle tone, Sensory issues

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If you need a durable swing with added support this one is safely reliable.

The swing is designed to support 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.

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3. Giant Outdoor Platform Swing

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For Ages: 1 to 10 years

Weight Limit: Up to 75 pounds

Best For: Laying down

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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.

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4. Hammock Chair Swing

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For Ages: 4 years and up

Weight Limit: Up to 500 pounds

Best For: Relaxation

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Is your child easily overstimulated or has anxiety?

If you answered yes, a hammock chair may be the swing you need.

Hanging hammocks are used by many therapists because the motion of the chair stimulates the cerebral cortex to help your ability to concentrate.

Have your child sit in the hammock to relax, read, study, or meditate.

You may use this hammock indoors and outdoors.

Final Verdict: A therapeutic outlet to boost concentration and relaxation.

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5. Harkla Indoor Therapy Swing

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For Ages: 4 years and up

Weight Limit: Up to 200 pounds

Best For: Sensory needs to calm or self-regulate

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There is something so cozy about the soft fabric to make you want to lounge in this swing.

This particular 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.

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6. High Back Full Bucket Toddler Swing Seat

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For Ages: 2 to 4 years

Weight Limit: Up to 40 pounds

Best For: High back support

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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.

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7. Junior Bolster Swing

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For Ages: 4 years and up

Weight Limit: Up to 150 pounds

Best For: Enhancing motor skills, Core strength

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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.

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8. Platform Swing (Rectangle)

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For Ages: 1 year and up

Weight Limit: Up to 300 pounds

Best For: Self-regulation (calm or alert), Therapy sessions

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A platform swing is commonly used amongst occupational therapists to expose a child to new sensory experiences and movements.

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.

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9. Platform Swing (Round)

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For Ages: 1 year and up

Weight Limit: Up to 300 pounds

Best For: Movement, Therapy sessions

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As previously mentioned, a platform swing exposes a child to new sensory experiences and developing movements.

The round platform swing is narrower than the rectangle platform swing to further challenge a child’s vestibular system.

Keep in mind, both swings help with sensory integration and movement development to help with:

• Balance
• Core strength
• Postural adjustments
• Body awareness

Final Verdict: A useful indoor therapy tool to promote movement.  This swing may be used by parents or therapists.

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10. Sorbus Spinner Swing

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For Ages: 5 to 15 years

Weight Limit: Up to 220 pounds

Best For: Balance

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The comfy net design is a cozy escape for your child to relax or get active.

It comfortably holds up to 3 kids making it a popular activity to do with siblings or friends.

Plus, it’s super easy to hang up almost anywhere you want like a tree or swing set.

Final Verdict: An entertaining outdoor activity to develop a child’s balancing skills.  Enjoy swinging solo or with a group of friends.

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11. Spider Web Tree Swing

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For Ages: 4 years and up

Weight Limit: Up to 800 pounds

Best For: Sensory integration, Climbing

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For active climbers who are sensory seeking, this swing is a fun way to release energy.

While sitting on the squishy net, it immediately encourages a child to balance.

While in motion, the web swing also helps with coordination and motor planning.

Final Verdict: The perfect tool for sensory integration therapy or to enhance a child’s motor skills.

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12. 3 in 1 Swing Seat

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For Ages: 6 months and up

Weight Limit: Up to 300 pounds

Best For: Long-term versatile use

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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.

Final Verdict: A versatile swing to grow with your child over the years.

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Common Questions and Answers (with Videos!)

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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 is 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!

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I want to wrap up by extending my gratitude to thank you for stopping by today!

What special needs swings do you recommend?

Let us know in the comments below. ♥

Was this information helpful to you?  If so, you’d make our day by sharing it! 🙂

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