These occupational therapy toys and physical therapy toys are the only things you need to create fun and engaging activities for kids!
"Play is the work of a child" Maria Montessori The most important role that play can have is to help children be active, make choices, and practice skills to mastery. With children learning through
Browse through our round-ups of toys and products that have been approved and recommended by our team of pediatric therapists.
The Sensory Spectrum is offering a gathering place of independent sellers of handmade weighted blankets and lap pads.
When it comes to pediatric occupational therapy, having the right tools and toys can make all the difference in creating engaging and effective therapy sessions. In this blog post, we’ll take a peek inside my occupational therapy rolling bag which I have had for 3+ years and explore my favorite developmental and therapeutic toys that … Inside My Occupational Therapy Rolling Bag: Must-Have Toys for Pediatric Therapists Read More »
Are you searching for top notch special needs toys for cerebral palsy to enhance sensory experiences, promote muscle strength, refine balance, and enhance coordination? If you answered yes, you're in the right place! We've curated a comprehensive list featuring award-winning, highly acclaimed, and therapist-approved toys specifically designed to focus on: Sensory stimulation Educational development Gross
When it comes to pediatric occupational therapy, having the right tools and toys can make all the difference in creating engaging and effective therapy sessions. In this blog post, we’ll take a peek inside my occupational therapy rolling bag which I have had for 3+ years and explore my favorite developmental and therapeutic toys that … Inside My Occupational Therapy Rolling Bag: Must-Have Toys for Pediatric Therapists Read More »
We're always on the lookout for cool toys that make it fun to work on important developmental skills with kids. Ever heard of Squigz? Learn more here!
Below, you will find a blog post on a bilateral coordination activity using Pop Toobs. This fine motor bilateral coordination activity can address a variety of fine motor skills in kids including those bilateral coordination skills needed for tasks like handwriting, scissor use, shoe tying, and much more. This article was written by The OT Toolbox ... Read more
When I first walked into the occupational therapists “sensory gym”, my mouth hung opened. The large expanse was full of all sorts of multicolored equipment from floor to ceiling. Not only were my kids eager to play while getting their sensory needs met, I wanted to join in too (that’s how crazy inviting and fun [...]
The best sensory tools and toys to support vestibular development. The vestibular system is all about balance and movement, or spatial awareness. Designed to help your kids with balance skills, these tools are perfect for use in Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms.
As I finish up my holiday shopping this weekend, I realize that many of the kids that I give to have gotten older and require the next level of gifts. Because many of these kids are picky about what they wear, I tend to avoid buying clothes. Buying toys for older kids/tweens can be tricky but there are so many great things out there to choose from. I love finding things that allow kids to be creative and think outside of the box. They spend enough time engaged in school activities that they have to complete a certain way that I want to give things that allow kids to think, create and will build self-esteem and confidence. And while it's probably way easier to get gift cards, I love seeing kids actually open up real gifts. Here are a few of my favorite things you can get for the older kids that work not only work on a variety of skills, but are kid tested and approved for lots of fun! Project Kid-do you have a crafter on your hands? If you do, Project Kid is a perfect gift for them. This book is filled with over 100 activities that can be completed using many items in your home. Kids can learn how to weave, make pom poms and design many things to decorate the home or bedroom. I love the Rubber-Band art and Puff-Pain Window Clings projects and plan on doing these with my older kids at work. To make this an even better gift, go through the book and pick out an activity you think the recipient will enjoy and buy all the supplies needed to complete it to give with the gift to get them started. Diggin Wobble Deck-this gross motor gift is designed to get kids up and moving around. It is also great for working on improving executive functioning skills such as following directions, memory and focus/attention. Essentially, this is a balance board and Simon Says game combined. The board has five numbered, colored edges and each one has a sound associated with it. It will call out numbers, colors and sounds a child has to shift their weight so that part of the board touches the ground. There are three modes and multiple difficulty settings so kids can be constantly challenged. Fashion Design Kits-Creativity for Kids by Faber Castell has some amazing craft kits and I especially love the ones they have for older kids. This kit comes with all the supplies needed to design and create a dress. I like this one because it includes a 12" dress mannequin that you can put your dress on once it is completed. Not only does it come with fabric samples and thread but all kinds of fun embellishments so a kid can be as creative as they want. Great for not only working on all kinds of fine motor skills, but also great for working on executive functioning skills and encouraging creativity. Follow this link to see all the different fashion and fiber sets you can choose from! Spirograph Deluxe-I remember spending hours and hours playing with my Spirograph sets as a child and I love that this game is still around. Choose from the gears and wheels, place it on your paper and create whirling and spiraling patterns. I like to give kids blank cards and have them design the covers of their own stationary. Kids never get bored with this activity because each time they do it, they can create something new and wonderful. The set comes with gears and wheels, colored pens, paper and comes in a box perfect for storing everything. If you want to add something to the gift, get a bunch of different colored blank cards and envelopes so the recipient can create their own stationary. Great for working on bilateral coordination skills, improve eye-hand coordination and graphomotor skills. Make Your Own Comic-Lulu Jr. is an amazing company that has created products that encourage creativity, builds self-esteem and strengthens literacy and writings kills. This awesome comic book kit gives kids the chance to write, illustrate and publish their very own book. Once their story is complete and they have finished filling in all the pages, they send it in to Lulu Jr and they will print the comic out so it looks like a real comic book! What could be more motivating and exciting for kids than to see something they have created turned into a real book? Little Bits Kits-for those kids who are interested in learning more about science, engineering and building things, look no further. The base kit comes with 10 color-coded modules that when snapped together, can make over 150, 000 circuit combinations. There are other kits to choose from which allow you to do different kinds of engineering activities. Kids are encouraged to design tons of different circuit sequences and come up with imaginative uses for those circuits including making a dimmer switch, a motorized car and a night light. So here are a few of my top picks for the bigger kids you may have to shop for. While I know that many of the kids say they are too old for toys, I don't believe that you are ever too old to get toys at the holidays! Do you have any other great gifts that you like to give older kids in your life? I would love to hear from you about what has been a hit with your tweens. I am just a click away and love hearing from you all and getting new ideas! If you are still shopping and looking for more ideas, be sure to check out my complete 2014 Holiday Gift Guide. You will find dozens and dozens of toys and games here for children of all ages. .
I'm extremely fortunate to have a designated occupational therapy space which is uncommon for related service providers in the schools!
So you’re starting your clinical fellowship – congrats!!! It is such an exciting time and you have worked so hard for this moment. Let’s set you up for success!! I’ll keep this short and sweet (or at least I will try- in true form, I am a talkative SLP). If you leave wanting more ideas- […]
These visual perception toys are designed to promote visual perceptual skills needed for handwriting, reading, and functional tasks.
Toe Walking Treatment Ideas for Children!
As they’re creating this sensory hand fidget, kids will get the benefit of building hand strength and coordination.
The best sensory tools and toys to support vestibular development. The vestibular system is all about balance and movement, or spatial awareness. Designed to help your kids with balance skills, these tools are perfect for use in Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms.
I couldn't live without a scooter board at work or home. There are endless uses and developmental benefits for children who engage in scooter board
These are my favorite pediatric occupational therapy toys that stay in my car year-round when I work with children in the home!
Aside from sensory integration and a sensory diet to follow at home, these games/activities below provide good opportunity to practice graded force skills.
Looking for 50 BEST Occupational Therapy Toys and Physio Toys For Kids? Here are 50 that will immensely help your child.
This Fidget for the Feet can provide children a quiet, non-disruptive way to keep their feet moving while their eyes, ears, and hands stay focused. This specific Fidget for the Feet provides pressure to the feet in addition to lateral movement of the legs. It is effective and affordable. It can be used in school, at home, at a restaurant, or any place that requires the attention and focus of a youngster. As an Occupational Therapist at two elementary schools in the Orange County area, I can attest to the instant satisfaction my students, their teachers, and their parents find in these sensory Fidgets for the Feet. If you have a child who cannot sit still, try out my fun, easily attachable and detachable Fidget for the Feet! Age: 3+ Patent Pending
We truly don't need any more flashing or loud toys at our house. I don't know how many times I've walk by our toy basket and had some random toy go off. I believe that some
Pediatric occupational therapy is a dynamic field that thrives on creativity and playfulness. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I’ve learned that the right toys can be powerful tools for…
These toys to help with attention support the development of focus, working memory, and sustained attention through play.
Welcome to my OT Approved Toys page! This is where I will post links to all of the toys that I have written about, and most importantly, are OT Approved!!! Infants:CanDoKiddo Activity Play Mat | Buy on Etsy Pop up toy | Buy on Amazon Plastic rings | Buy on Amazon Musical book | Buy on Amazon Wooden Inchworm Push Toy | Buy on Etsy Wooden Rattle | Buy on Etsy Wooden Ring Stacker | Buy on Etsy Oball | Buy on Amazon Toddlers:Lacing Beads | Buy on Amazon Wooden Knob Puzzle | Buy on Amazon Mr. Potato Head | Buy on Amazon Mega Bloks | Buy on Amazon Wooden Rainbow Stacker | Buy on Etsy Preschool:Design & Drill Socket To Me | Buy on Educational Insights | Buy on Amazon The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game | Buy on Educational Insights | Buy on Amazon Frida's Fruit Fiesta Game | Buy on Educational Insights | Buy on Amazon 12 Piece Puzzle | Buy on Amazon Play-Doh | Buy on Amazon | Make your own! Munchy Ball Game | Buy on Therapy Fun Zone Cup N Ball Game | Buy on Etsy Picture Perfect | Buy on Educational Insights | Buy on Amazon Early Elementary:Robot Face Race | Buy on Educational Insights | Buy on Amazon Spot It | Buy on Amazon Shapes Up | Buy on Educational Insights | Buy on Amazon Blokus | Buy on Amazon Kanoodle | Buy on Educational Insights | Buy on Amazon Mancala | Buy on Amazon Gravity Maze | Buy on Amazon Middle School:Morphology | Buy on Amazon Set | Buy on Amazon Disclosure: Links on this page to Amazon and Educational Insights are affiliate links. Thank you for reading and supporting this blog!
Fidget toys for kids are the ultimate calming tool to help you focus and concentrate. Does your child have anxiety, ADHD, sensory challenges, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, or likes to twiddle things in their hands? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a fidget toy may be the perfect play tool for them. With
Are you searching for top notch special needs toys for cerebral palsy to enhance sensory experiences, promote muscle strength, refine balance, and enhance coordination? If you answered yes, you're in the right place! We've curated a comprehensive list featuring award-winning, highly acclaimed, and therapist-approved toys specifically designed to focus on: Sensory stimulation Educational development Gross
These OT recommended activiteis build skills and encourage play using household items. Use everyday items found in the home to help kids build skills.
Shop With Me Mama Transform play into progress with occupational therapy toys from PlanToys. Enhance skills and maximize learning potential.
Aside from sensory integration and a sensory diet to follow at home, these games/activities below provide good opportunity to practice graded force skills.
Browse through our round-ups of toys and products that have been approved and recommended by our team of pediatric therapists.
For the child with sensory challenges, the classroom can be an overwhelming place. All of the sensory systems are touched on in the classroom. When sensory systems are challenged, learning is a struggle. School based OTs are often times consulted when students struggle with physical or sensory issues that result in educational deficits. Previously, The ... Read more
