Need to chew? You’ve come to the right place! We make lots of chew tool designs in a variety of different shapes, sizes, textures, and hardnesses to best meet a variety of sensory preferences. Each option provides a safe, appropriate outlet for the need to chew (instead of chewing on one's hands, shirts, sleeves, pencils, headphones, etc.).
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Before diving into each one in more detail, it’s important to note:
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1. Many people call these “chew toys”, hence the title of this post. But they should actually be considered chew
tools. Toys are for playing, whereas tools exist for a specific function - in this case to meet an important sensory / therapeutic need. Chew tools help both kids and adults calm, focus, and self-regulate.
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2. All of our chew tools come in 3 color-coded toughness levels:
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Soft / Standard - this is the softest, “chewiest” option. Especially with the more slender back molar shapes, you can “sink your teeth” into these the most. We recommend going with this level by default, unless the person chews through or causes damage to anything else, in which case the next level up would most likely be longer lasting.
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XT / Medium Firm - XT stands for "Xtra Tough." This option is firmer, but still fairly chewy. If someone chews through things, it's usually best to start with this level.
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XXT / Super Firm - XXT stands for "Xtra Xtra Tough." This is the most firm option. These are pretty tough and rigid, but still chewable. Although no chew tool is indestructible, these are usually the longest lasting option for heavy chewers who have chewed through the XT level, and/or who chew through other things quickly (chews through toys, chews holes in shirts very quickly, etc.)
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3. All ARK chews are made in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. We actually make them personally with our own hands so that we can best ensure quality and safety, both of the chew tools themselves as well as the people making them. To read more about us,
click here.
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This was one of our first inventions, and the very first product on the market specifically for individuals with Autism and/or sensory processing disorder who needed to chew.
Long extension to reach the back molars Loop of the “P” makes it easy to hold Can be used as a safe alternative to biting on one’s hands, shirt collars/sleeves, pencils, headphones, etc; OR as an oral motor tool to practice biting/chewing skills and build up jaw strength Can also be used as a hand fidget (squeeze the loop with your hand for some stress relief and/or as a hand strength exercise) Size: about 5" lengthwise, just under 2" across the loop/handle, and ½ an inch thick
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A textured version of the original Grabber®. It packs all of the same features as the smooth Grabber® above, plus:
Lots of bumps and nubs for added sensory input - great for sensory seekers This tactile surface can also help with oral defensiveness Size: about 5" lengthwise, just under 2" across the loop/handle, and ½ an inch thick
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A “cousin” to the Grabber®, the Y-Chew features:
3 different extensions to chew on Because it has 3 different extensions to chew on, the Y-Chew XXT is typically the longest lasting option for avid chewing Each extension has a different texture on it (one smooth, one ribbed, one bumpy) for varied sensory input Each “arm” is long enough to reach the back molars, where chewing is usually needed the most / provides the most proprioceptive input to the jaw Size: The handle measures about 2.5", and the extensions about 1.75 and 1.25".
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Over the years, many parents told us that they put our Grabber on a lanyard so that it could be worn as a necklace. So we decided to come out with a more discreet, wearable version of the Grabber for on-the-go / hands-free chewing. The Krypto-Bite® was the first chewable jewelry (“chewelry”) option we created, and many more shapes followed. All of the necklaces below come with an adjustable breakaway necklace cord.
Gender-neutral, age-neutral prism shape Stylish for both girls and boys, kids and adults Long enough to reach the back molars Size of the pendant: about 3" long and ½ an inch in diameter (very similar in size as the extension of the Grabber) .
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Same hex / prism shape as the Krypto-Bite® above, but it hangs horizontal instead like bead Good for nibbling, for those who like to bite/chew with their front teeth Size of the pendant: about 2.2" long and just under ½ an inch in diameter .
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Rectangular brick shape Large bumps on one side Small bumps on the back side Lots of sensory input! Long enough to reach the back molars Size of the pendant: about 2.5" long, ⅝" wide, and just under ½ an inch thick .
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A smooth version of the Brick Stick® For those who don’t want / don’t need the added texture Also a more discreet version of the Brick for older kids and adults Long enough to reach the back molars Size of the pendant: about 2.5" long, ⅝" wide, and ⅜" thick .
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“Fangtastic" shape - could be a saber tooth, shark tooth, etc. Long enough to reach the back molars Size of the pendant: about 2.5" long, 1" across the widest part, and just under ½ an inch thick .
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Our longest chew pendant Tactile handle with lots of textured interest Smooth “blade” end for chewing Long enough to reach the back molars Size of the pendant: about 4" long and just under ½ an inch in diameter at the tip .
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Perfect for T-Rex / dinosaur fans! One of our “beefiest” / widest chew pendants Great for those who like to chew with their front teeth and/or pre-molars Size of the pendant: about 1.5 x 2.5" inches and just under ½ an inch thick .
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Like the Dino-Bite®, this is also one of our “beefiest” / widest chew pendants Great for those who like to chew with their front teeth and/or pre-molars Smooth on the back side, with a tactile star on the front side Size of the pendant: about 1.1" at the widest part, just under 2" tall, and just under ½ an inch thick .
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Easy twist-on design - no “forcing” the bracelet over your wrist A great option for those who can’t wear necklaces Can be worn with one of the necklaces above for a matching set Can be used as a fidget - twist/bend it out of shape, then back into shape Wear more than one bracelet for added calming weight to the hand/wrist Comes in 2 sizes - small and large Size: As a general rule, the small is good for those with a wrist circumference of 5.5" or smaller. And the large is good for those with a wrist circumference of 5.5" or larger. .
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All of the same great features as the bangle abovePlus lots of textured bumps around the circumference for added sensory input .
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A pencil topper version of the Krypto-Bite® necklace. Same popular prism shape, but designed to fit over pencils instead A great fit for homework, taking notes, etc. to increase focus The topper also adds extra weight to the pencil, which can help increase hand awareness Fits most standard #2 pencils Works best with an eraser-less pencil (each topper comes with one) Size of the topper: about 2.75" long and ½ an inch in diameter .
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All of the same features as the Krypto-Bite® topper above But with a textured surface for lots of extra sensory input Size of the topper: a little over 2.5" long and ½ inch in diameter .
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For help narrowing down your options, check out our Chew Chart and/or Chewing Guide. You can also contact us and we'd be happy to point you in the right direction. Please let us know the person's age, 3-5 examples of what they currently tend to chew on, and if there is any damage to those items when they chew on them.
Last but not least, sign up for our newsletter below to be the first to know about new designs in the future.
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