What is a sensory swing?
A sensory swing is a swing made for big, whole-body movement: swinging, spinning, bouncing and being held. Many wrap around the body or let you lie down, and they're used indoors in sensory integration rooms, schools and homes as much as outdoors.
What does a sensory swing do?
It gives the body movement it can feel: going back and forth, round and round, up and down, and being held or squeezed by the fabric. Different swings give very different movement. An enclosed swing wraps around you and moves gently, a platform swing lets you lie, kneel or stand and swing freely, and a helicopter swing is made for spinning. That's why it's worth choosing the swing for the movement the person enjoys.
Which sensory swing should I choose?
Enclosed and cocoon swings. Swings that wrap around you. The Cocoon, Taco Swing, Tortilla Swing and Deep Fabric Coracle are all fabric swings to climb into and curl up in.
Platform swings. The Small Square Platform Swing is a flat swing to sit, kneel, lie or stand on, alone or with someone else.
Bolster swings. Straddle them, hug them or lie across them. Choose from the Half Pipe Bolster and the Bolstero.
Hammocks and slings. The Luna Hammock and Sling Swing hold you in fabric as you swing. The Leaf Chair is a hanging seat to sink into.
Hang, pull and spin. The Trapeze Bar and Monkey Swing are for hanging on with your hands, and the Helicopter Swing is made for spinning.
Supported seats and wheelchair swings. The Full Support Swing Seat comes in child and adult sizes, for anyone who needs more support to sit. The Wheelchair Platform lets a wheelchair user swing without leaving their chair.
Indoor swings: how to hang them
An indoor swing needs a fixing that can take the load. If the ceiling can take it, swings can hang from ceiling fixings or a Sensory Integration Beam, a permanent beam that gives a stable base to swing from. If not, the Free Standing Beam stands on its own frame, and the Foldaway Swing Frame folds away when you need the space back. The Bearing Bar creates a suspension point for a swing, and the Hoister lets you adjust the swing's height. Put a Crash Mat under and around every swing. For swings and frames made for the garden, see Outdoor Special Swings.
Sensory swings and sensory integration
In a sensory integration room, swings are the centre of the room, alongside crash mats and made-to-measure padding. Occupational therapists often use swings in sensory integration sessions, and the same swings are just as much a place to play. We design, make and fit these rooms, so get in touch for a free sensory room design.
Sensory swings for adults
Many of our swings suit teenagers and adults as well as children, and the Full Support Swing Seat comes in an adult size. Check the size and weight limit on each product page, or ask us which swing fits the person you're buying for.
Sensory swings for autism and ADHD
Families, schools and carers often look for sensory swings for autistic people and people with ADHD. Swings hold people in very different ways: enclosed swings like the Cocoon and Taco wrap around the body, while platform and bolster swings leave you free to move, lie or hang on. We describe exactly how each swing holds you and moves, so you can choose what suits the person you're buying for. If a therapist is involved, they can advise on the kind of movement to look for. You can also browse our whole range by need in Shop by Disability.
Time on a swing
Lift your feet and let go. Back and forth, round and round, the floor slides away and comes back again, and there's nothing to do but swing.
Are sensory swings safe?
Start with the weight limit. Every swing and every frame has its own, and a swing is only as safe as what it hangs from: the Foldaway Swing Frame, for example, is a lighter-weight frame with a 65kg limit, which applies to any swing hung from it. Check the limit on both product pages, fix the swing as the product page describes, put a crash mat underneath and use it under adult supervision. Most of our toys are tested to EN 71, the European toy safety standard; if you need the standard for a particular swing, just ask us.
Sensory swings for schools and settings
We accept purchase orders, and our funding and grants guide covers what's available for schools and young people. Planning a whole room? Start with our guide to sensory rooms, see our sensory integration rooms page or ask for a free sensory room design.
Written by John Tidmarsh, TFH UK.
