BrainMax Sensory Putty for Kids — Fine Motor & Focus

The putty that calms the nervous system and builds little hands — recommended by a pediatric OT. BrainMax Sensory Putty is a pediatric OT-informed therapy putty designed to deliver deep proprioceptive input to the hands, fingers, and joints. Squeezing, stretching, and pulling the putty sends calming signals through the nervous system — helping sensory-seeking, anxious, and easily distracted children shift into a more focused, regulated state. Whether your child needs something to do with their hands during homework, a calming tool before a transition, or a healthy outlet for oral sensory seekers who need to keep their hands busy — BrainMax is your go-to sensory tool. Who it helps Children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or sensory-seeking behaviors Kids with ADHD who need movement input to focus and sit still Children with fine motor delays or low hand muscle tone Oral sensory seekers — keeps hands engaged so mouths stay free Children with anxiety who need a calming, portable tactile outlet Recommended for ages 3 and up Sensory systems supported Proprioceptive — joint and muscle input through squeezing and resistance Tactile — calming texture and temperature feedback Interoceptive — improves body awareness and self-regulation Visual — Galaxy Mint color is visually soothing and engaging How to use it (OT-guided) Before homework or learning tasks: Have your child squeeze and stretch for 5–10 minutes to activate the proprioceptive system and prime focus. During a sensory break: Roll, flatten, and pinch the putty to provide calming heavy work input. As a fidget tool: Keep a tin at the desk — quiet, compact, and non-distracting for classmates. For fine motor building: Hide small objects inside and have your child dig them out — a tactile + fine motor challenge in one. During transitions: Give your child the putty 5 minutes before a difficult transition (leaving the house, entering school) to help regulate the nervous system before stress hits. Why an OT recommends it Pediatric OTs use therapy putty to deliver what we call heavy work — proprioceptive input through muscles and joints that signals the nervous system to downregulate. For children whose nervous systems are running at high arousal — constantly seeking input, melting down, struggling to focus — this type of input is one of the most effective, portable regulatory tools available. BrainMax was developed with this clinical purpose in mind. Frequently asked questions What age is BrainMax Sensory Putty for? Recommended for ages 3 and up with adult supervision. The putty is firm enough to provide meaningful proprioceptive input for school-age children and older. How is this different from Play-Doh or regular modeling clay? BrainMax is firmer and more resistant than Play-Doh — and that resistance is the therapeutic ingredient. The more effort a child's hands have to make, the more proprioceptive input reaches the nervous system. Regular clay doesn't offer this level of regulatory benefit. Can my child use this at school? Yes — it's compact, quiet, and non-messy enough to use discreetly at a desk. Many OTs recommend therapy putty as a classroom fidget tool for children with ADHD or sensory needs. Is this part of a sensory diet? Absolutely. Therapy putty is a staple heavy-work tool in OT-designed sensory diets. Your child's OT can help you integrate it into a personalized daily schedule. My child puts everything in their mouth. Is BrainMax safe? BrainMax is non-toxic, but it is not intended for oral use. For children who are active oral sensory seekers, we recommend pairing it with an appropriate chew tool to address oral needs simultaneously. Safety Non-toxic. Latex-free. Not intended for oral use. Keep away from hair, carpet, and fabric. Adult supervision recommended for children under 3. Every product at Sensory Therapy Place has been selected through the lens of pediatric occupational therapy by our founder, Earl Mamaril MS, OTR/L. When you shop with us, you're getting an OT-informed recommendation you can trust.