Gift ideas for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder or RAD can be hard to come up with, especially when it comes to behaviors the child may be displaying.

Does the child destroy property?

Will gifts be used as weapons?

Is there a way the child can harm herself with the items?

What are the child's developmental and cognitive abilities?

Can the child handle receiving gifts without a significant increase in behaviors?

How do you give your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder a magical experience?

Here are our best gift ideas for the RAD child in your life, no matter her age.

Gift Ideas for a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder

Warning: This post contains content related to Reactive Attachment Disorder that may be triggering to some.

Important: Children with RAD are victims of abuse and/or neglect. Behaviors associated with Reactive Attachment Disorder are due to how the brain forms while the innocent child is surviving trauma. It is our goal to support healthy and loving families where children with RAD can heal, if possible.

Cozy Blanket

I do not know a person on the planet who doesn't enjoy a cozy blanket for their bed or to cuddle with while watching a movie etc.

Most of the time blankets are a very safe choice for children with Reactive Attachment Disorder and can be so much fun when matching interests and passions.

We have always used blankets in our living room.

To help with safety, each child has their own blanket and can not share.

Hands need to be where I can see them while using blankets at all times depending on the circumstances.

If you have a child that cannot handle a simple blanket as a gift due to self-harming behaviors or harm to others it's time to seek more help or you may want to consider out of home placement.

Our youngest daughter is currently very passionate about dragons and will LOVE this blanket.

Gift Ideas for a Child with RAD: Body Pillow

Body Pillow or Cuddle Buddy Pillow

Body pillows can provide so many benefits for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

During Reactive Attachment Disorder Fits, they can provide safety for all parties and a way to help de-escalate and co-regulate.

At night when it's dark, a body pillow can provide comfort and reassurance.

Body pillows come in all shapes, sizes, designs, and colors to meet the needs of each child.

If a child does become aggressive with a body pillow, it's rare that anyone will be injured.

Please be aware that if you have a child that enjoys destroying stuffed animals or hiding objects in stuffed animals, a body pillow may not be an option.

Our youngest daughter loves the color pink, cats, and can't get enough pillows and stuffed animals to cuddle with at night.

This body pillow will be perfect for her in the largest size available.

Paperback Book

For children with Reactive Attachment Disorder who enjoy reading and do not destroy books right away, paperback books can be great gifts!

Paperback books don't hurt nearly as much as hardcover books when used as a weapon.

They tend to be very inexpensive too, which is really nice.

Books grow with children, so whether your child is into picture books, chapter books, comics, or graphic novels, there's always a variety to choose from.

Right now our youngest can't get enough of Dog Man series and DC Super-Pets.

I was excited to find that at the first Dog Man book does come in paperback as well as many DC Super-Pets stories.

Coloring Book

For a child with RAD who enjoys art as a form as therapy, a coloring book can be the perfect gift.

There's literally a coloring book for every interest.

Coloring books are available for toddlers, preschoolers, elementary aged kids, teenagers, and adults.

They are paperback, so there's not as much of a worry about the child with Reactive Attachment Disorder harming others.

My youngest will absolutely love this Dog Man themed coloring book. It's as if she's creating her own book, which she loves to do!

Gift Ideas for a Child with RAD: Journal or Sketchbook

Journal and Sketchbook

No matter what age your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder is, if she enjoys writing or drawing, a paperback journal or sketchbook without spirals is a fabulous gift.

Journals and sketchbooks come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and designs to meet all needs.

Just like with books, paperback journals and sketchbooks don't hurt nearly as much when used as a weapon.

My youngest loves drawing and writing in journals and sketchbooks. I picked out this unicorn themed one as unicorns are one of her favorite things.

Washable Crayons and Markers

Washable crayons and markers go perfectly with new coloring books, journals, and sketchbooks.

The key is making sure they are washable for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Crayons will end up broken and found everywhere, including in the laundry, washing machine and dryer.

If they're washable, you have nothing to worry about.

I personally prefer washable markers for this reason, but they do hurt a lot more if they are used as a weapon.

Whichever you choose, washable crayons and markers, you can be rest assured that walls, furniture and other items that are colored on can be cleaned.

When I give writing and drawing utensils to my youngest daughter, I always try to find scented ones.

Toddlers, elementary aged kids, teenagers, and adults can all enjoy these gifts!

Scented items encourage deep breathing, which is ALWAYS a good thing.

Clothing

Though receiving clothing can be considered boring to some, for many clothing items are welcomed, especially if they include logos and designs of interest.

Many children with Reactive Attachment Disorder have sensory preferences related to clothing.

Receiving an outfit that's comfortable can really make a difference.

Consider clothing with no snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. as these items are much safer when handling unsafe behaviors for all involved.

For some children with RAD, strings may needed to be removed from clothing.

My youngest daughter lives in sweatpants, t-shirts, and hoodies with preferred characters and designs.

She loves having a hood to help keep her warm when she's cold and to also block out the world around her when overwhelmed.

Her older sister has a Ravenclaw sweatshirt that she's been very envious of.

This year for Christmas she's receiving a Gryffindor hoodie with maroon sweatpants to match.

Pajamas

I consider pajamas a completely separate gift idea as they pertain to being comfortable when sleeping and lounging.

Sleep and nighttime can often be a struggle for children with Reactive Attachment Disorder.

Providing a cozy pajamas set with preferred characters or designs can make bedtime just a little more tolerable.

Please be aware that with some pajama sets, draw strings may need to be removed.

My youngest daughter LOVES The Nightmare Before Christmas, her favorite character being Jack Skellington.

She also is very passionate about her pajamas collection.

When I saw these cozy Jack Skellington pjs, I couldn't resist adding them to her list.

Outerwear

Again, I view outwear, pajamas and clothing as three separate categories of gifts.

Many children with RAD can struggle with jewelry and other accessories.

When this is the case, I love to go all out with hats, gloves, and other outdoor accessories.

These items can usually be found to meet sensory needs.

They can include preferred logos, designs, and patterns.

I don't know that there's a time when a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder doesn't need these items, as they are easy to lose.

Some children with Reactive Attachment Disorder struggle with wearing weather appropriate attire. It may be that when they receive items with preferred logos, designs, and patterns, they may be more apt to try them and wear them.

My youngest daughter is a huge fan of the Detroit Lions football team.

Football is how she bonds with her siblings.

She loves to accessorize, so gloves are an incredibly safe way to do so when going places.

Footwear

Footwear can be extremely challenging when it comes to children with Reactive Attachment Disorder, especially for those who kick others on a regular basis.

When choosing footwear, I try to select shoes that are soft and can easily be removed in the midst of unsafe behaviors.

Crocs fit the bill!

I love that they can be worn with our without socks during every season.

My youngest absolutely loves Barbies right now.

These crocs definitely showcase her passion and are absolutely adorable for children and adults alike!

Card Game

Games can be tricky with children who have Reactive Attachment Disorder. Usually the simpler the game the better.

I like to choose easy card games because there are no hard pieces in the midst of unsafe behaviors, which can occur during games of any kind.

Card games tend to be less expensive and easy to replace as well, if they are damaged.

My youngest saw the Super Mario Bros. movie this year and absolutely fell in love with it.

She now loves everything with the characters on it.

This card game is simple and can be enjoyed anywhere at any time.

Plush Toys

Finding toys for a child with Reactive Attachment Disorder is the ultimate challenge.

Toys can and most likely will be used as weapons.

If you purchase the wrong kind of toys, they will be destroyed.

Over the years I have found that until a child with RAD can handle toys that are made of hard plastic, wood, and other materials, plush and felt toys are the best option.

You'll be surprised by just how many options there are when looking for plush and felt toys for any theme.

We're huge fans of felt food and Stella dolls with accessories!

Please be careful when choosing plush toys if your child with Reactive Attachment Disorder destroys plush items and/or hides unsafe items inside them.

Our youngest does quite well with felt and plush items.

She absolutely loves playing with animal figures any kind, especially when houses and accessories are involved.

When I came across Squishmallows and Squishville accessories, I knew they would be a perfect fit for her!