ARK Z-Spoon Sensory Feeding Tool

The ARK Z-Spoon is a vibrating feeding tool that combines a royal blue Z-Vibe handle with a small, smooth Spoon Tip. It is designed to make feeding and oral stimulation easier for children with SEND and oral sensory or feeding needs. Gentle vibration helps to wake up the mouth and improve awareness, while the small, shallow spoon makes it easier to offer small amounts of food.

How it helps

The Spoon Tip's size, shape and shallow bowl are designed to make feeding easier. Its smooth vibration provides oral motor stimulation to the lips, tongue, cheeks and jaw, helping to increase awareness before and during eating. The handle has a textured, slip-resistant grip, and it can also be brushed along the cheeks, arms and hands to give extra tactile input. The handle is about 18.4 cm (7.25 inches) long and the Spoon Tip is about 1.9 cm (0.75 inches) wide.

For schools

• Supports staff following a feeding plan at snack and lunch times.
• Slip-resistant grip helps adults keep good control during feeding.
• Spoon Tip is dishwasher safe and the handle wipes clean.
• Useful in early years settings, where the spoon size suits young children.

For parents and home use

• Helps you follow feeding advice from your child's therapist at mealtimes.
• Small, shallow spoon offers manageable mouthfuls.
• Vibration can help wake up the mouth before eating.
• The handle can be used for gentle touch on the cheeks, arms and hands.

Supporting SEND and learning differences

Some children with SEND and learning differences have low awareness in the mouth or find certain textures difficult. This can make mealtimes stressful for everyone. A feeding tool that adds gentle sensory input can help a child notice food in the mouth and become more comfortable at the table.

Why vibration can help at mealtimes

Vibration gives the mouth clear sensory information, which can increase awareness of the lips, tongue and cheeks. Practitioners often use vibrating tools before or during meals to help a child prepare for eating. The Z-Spoon should be used by a therapist or caregiver with direct supervision at all times.

If you would like advice on choosing a Z-Vibe tool or tip, please contact our team.

• Design: vibrating Z-Vibe handle with a small, smooth Spoon Tip and shallow bowl.
• Grip: textured, slip-resistant handle that can also give tactile input to cheeks, arms and hands.
• Size: handle about 18.4 cm (7.25 inches) long and under 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) in diameter; Spoon Tip about 1.9 cm (0.75 inches) wide.
• Age: Spoon Tip sized for children up to about 3 years, depending on mouth size; can be used at any age.
• Materials: food and medical grade materials.
• In the box: 1 x royal blue Z-Vibe handle and 1 x Spoon Tip.
• Made in: ARK's own factory in Columbia, South Carolina, USA.

• Feeding support. Small, shallow spoon and gentle vibration help make mealtimes easier.
• Supports SEND needs. Builds awareness of the lips, tongue, cheeks and jaw for children with feeding differences.
• School and home use. Dishwasher-safe tip and wipe-clean, slip-resistant handle.
• Trusted maker. Made by ARK Therapeutic in the USA and supplied by UK specialist The Dyslexia Shop.

What's in the Box

• 1 x Z-Vibe handle (royal blue)
• 1 x Spoon Tip (small, smooth)

Care and Cleaning

The Spoon Tip is dishwasher safe. Wipe the handle with a disinfectant wipe after use.

Delivery and Returns

Standard UK delivery applies. See our Delivery and Returns page for full details.

Safety and Age Suitability

The Spoon Tip is sized for children up to about 3 years, depending on mouth size. It can be used at any age, but it holds less than an adult-sized spoon. Not a toy. Contains small parts that may pose a choking hazard. This therapeutic tool should be used by a therapist or caregiver and directly supervised at all times.

• What is the ARK Z-Spoon?
  It is a vibrating feeding tool made from a Z-Vibe handle and a small, smooth Spoon Tip. The gentle vibration helps wake up the mouth and improve awareness, while the shallow spoon makes it easier to offer small amounts of food during meals.
• What age is the Z-Spoon suitable for?
  The Spoon Tip is sized for children up to about 3 years, depending on mouth size. ARK says it can be used at any age, although it holds less than an adult spoon. It should always be used by an adult with direct supervision.
• Can it help children with SEND?
  Yes, it can support children with SEND who have feeding or oral sensory needs. Vibration can increase awareness of the lips, tongue and cheeks, which may help a child notice and manage food. It works best as part of a feeding plan agreed with a therapist.
• Can the Z-Spoon be used in school?
  Yes, it is suitable for school and early years settings when used by trained staff. The slip-resistant handle helps adults keep control, and the dishwasher-safe tip makes cleaning between meals simple. We recommend each child has their own Spoon Tip.
• How would we use it at home?
  Use it at mealtimes to follow advice from your child's therapist. You might turn on the vibration before offering food to help wake up the mouth, then use the small spoon for manageable mouthfuls. The handle can also be brushed gently along the cheeks, arms and hands.
• How big is the Z-Spoon?
  The handle is about 18.4 cm (7.25 inches) long and under 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) in diameter. The Spoon Tip is about 1.9 cm (0.75 inches) wide, with a shallow bowl that holds less than an adult-sized spoon. The slim handle has a textured, slip-resistant grip for good control.
• How do I clean the Z-Spoon?
  The Spoon Tip is dishwasher safe. Wipe the handle with a disinfectant wipe after each use rather than washing it. Giving each child their own Spoon Tip is good practice in schools and settings. Check the tip regularly and replace it if you notice any wear or damage.