5 Best Toys to Support Occupational Therapy
Our Occupational Therapy Department Head has some great ideas on toys that can compliment therapy and are kid approved!
5. Play-Doh
Play-Doh is an awesome, versatile toy. It’s great for hand strengthening and fine motor skills, and is also a good option for early tactile play. You can purchase Play-Doh as part of a set with other fun accessories (e.g., a baking set, hair salon set, etc.) to spark your child’s imagination.
4. Squigz
Squigz are so versatile. This is another toy that is great for bilateral coordination, as well as visual-motor skills and hand strengthening. Connect them and stick your creations on mirrors, tables, walls, floors – the possibilities are endless.
3. Tunnels
Tunnels are especially wonderful to use indoors when it’s cold outside! Use it to provide vestibular input during mini-obstacle courses in your living room, or flip it vertically, have your child stand inside, and play a more fun version of peek-a-boo.
2. Shape Sorter
Shape sorters are one of my favorite toys for toddlers. You can use it for basic container play (putting things in and taking things out). As the child gets older, use it for learning colors and shapes!
1. Zoom Ball
Zoom Ball is great for upper body strengthening, postural control, motor planning and bilateral coordination. Additionally, kids need to visually track the ball as it moves closer to their hands, so it definitely works on visual skills, too. Since two people are required to play, it also helps build turn-taking and cooperative play skills.
Eyas Landing is a therapy clinic with a mission to provide evidence-based and family-centered therapy services for children, adolescents, and their families. The primary goal is to deliver relationship-based interventions within the most natural environments and to empower families to reach their full potential. To achieve this goal, our highly educated, compassionate staff dedicates time and expertise to create experiences that maximize therapeutic outcomes. The strength, determination, and perseverance of our clients are evident as they succeed in therapy, and ultimately in their daily lives.
Eyas Landing offers a wide range of comprehensive services including Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, ABA Therapy, Social Work, Family Therapy, and Neuropsych testing. Services are provided throughout the Chicagoland area via Telehealth, In-Home, and in our state of the art clinic.
Want to learn more or you have a specific question? Feel free to connect with us here!
