Sensory-friendly games for little ones

What sensory-friendly means here

• No sudden loud sounds, and sound that can be soft or off
• No flashing or strobing
• Slow, predictable movement
• The same kind of reaction to every touch
• Nothing timed and no pressure to do it right
• An exit only a grown-up can use, and an ending that is always the same

Settings you can adjust in Glowbug

• Sound: silent with one tap, or choose music, effects and background sounds separately, with a volume control
• Sensory level: Very Calm, Calm or Playful
• Reduced motion, for gentler movement everywhere
• High contrast, for stronger colours and text
• Session length, so you both know when it ends
• Worlds: switch off any world your child finds too much, and it won’t appear

Worlds to try first

• Moonlight Magic: dark, slow and quiet
• Bubble Dreams: slow bubbles with gentle pops
• Ocean Friends: cool blues and unhurried movement
• First Shapes (Plus): big, bold, high contrast shapes that move very slowly

Endings without surprises

When a session ends, the animation slows, sound fades, and Glowbug yawns, waves goodbye and falls asleep with the world, the same way every time. Some families find that a predictable ending makes it easier to put the screen away. Starting again needs a grown-up’s press-and-hold.

A note

Glowbug is a calm play experience, not a therapy or treatment. If you have questions about your child’s sensory needs, your health professional or therapist is the best person to ask.

Questions parents ask