As a pediatric occupational therapist, we have the opportunity to work on promoting all kinds of fine motor and visual motor skills through play! And with the holidays quickly approaching, many families ask about recommended toys for their children for this holiday season! Listed below is a gift guide featuring some favorite toys of occupational therapists.

Poke-A-Dot Book

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Dinosaurs-Z-Poke-dot-iKids/dp/1601694806

Ages: 1+ years old

Cost: $10.99

Promotes: There are so many different books in this style and they can promote learning numbers, letters, animals. Poking each of the buttons on the pages can help promote isolation of index finger!

Mr. Potato Head

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Playskool-Potato-Head-Suitcase-Toddler/dp/B0050QJTBA

Ages: 2+

Cost: $19.99

Promote: Mr. Potato head is a classic! Manipulating the small pieces can promote fine motor skills, while using both hands (one to hold the head and the other to put pieces in) promotes bilateral coordination! It is also a great way to promote body awareness and play skills.

Stacking Rings

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-N8248-Brilliant-Basics-Rock-a-Stack/dp/B00000IZQP

Ages: 6 months+

Cost: $6.99

Promotes: Another classic toy that is great for younger aged children. This toy promotes grasping and fine motor skills when holding and playing with the rings. It also promotes visual motor skills when stacking the rings in the correct order and placing rings on center peg. This toy can promote gross motor skills depending on the positioning of your child's body and placement of the toy!

Bath Tub Crayons

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Bathtub-Crayons-Assorted-Colors/dp/B0043BYOO0

Ages: 2+ years

Cost: $11.95 (for pack of 2)

Promotes: These washable crayons are to use on the bathtub wall! Drawing on a vertical surface (such as a bathtub wall) can promote shoulder strength and use of age-appropriate pencil grasp patterns. Additionally, these can promote pre-writing skills in a fun way or make bath time more enjoyable!

Marble Run

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Meland-Learning-Educational-Construction-Building/dp/B0762HXK1Q

Ages: 4+ years old

Cost: $31.79

Promotes: Putting together these pieces to create large marble mazes can promote your child using both hands together, learning to use appropriate amounts of pressure to join pieces together, as well as problem-solving skills! 

Reusable Sticker Pads

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Reusable-Sticker-Pads/dp/B00FS5LQFK

Ages: 3+

Cost: $11.19

Promotes: These reusable stickers are great to promote fine motor skills and play skills!

Wooden Tool Kit

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Take-Along-Wooden-Construction/dp/B00005RF5D

Ages: 3+

Cost: $14.99

Promotes: A child using one hand to hold a nail while using other hand to hold the tool can promote bilateral coordination. Holding the tools can promote age-appropriate pencil grasp patterns for toddlers, and as well as dexterity. This toy is also a great way to promote pretend play skills.

Pretend Play Food Set

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Battat-Farmers-Kitchen-Accessories-Toddlers/dp/B01NBXZGVP

Ages: 3+ years

Cost: $11.95

Promotes: Using the play knife to “cut” play foods promotes bilateral coordination skills. This toy also promotes positive food experiences and pretend play skills.

Animal Popper Toys

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Hog-Wild-Pig-Popper-Toy/dp/B003A0UDRC

Ages:  3+ years old (due to small parts)

Skills: These simple poppers are a great way to work on hand strength as a child has to squeeze the animal belly to push to ball out! Also, your child will have to use both hands to place the ball back in the toy and can help with bilateral coordination. These toys come in SO many different animals and characters in order to promote more engagement with your child!

Promotes: hand strength, bilateral coordination, play skills

Price: $10.99 (Amazon)

Play-Doh

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Play-Doh-Dinosaur-Non-Toxic-Modeling-Exclusive/dp/B085WNKP4Z

Ages: 3+ years

Skills: Play-doh is a favorite among pediatric occupational therapists! Rolling the play-doh into logs or balls promotes fine motor skills. This set comes with child-safe scissors which can be a fun and safe way to practice scissor skills!

Price: $14.99

Indestructible Books

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Indestructibles-Baby-Faces-Amy-Pixton/dp/0761168818

Ages: 0+ years

Skills: There are so many different versions of these indestructible books and this is just one example of the many out there! This is a great toy for children who may play a bit “rougher” and can promote learning of numbers, letters, and animals!

Price: $5.95

Check out our Physical Therapy Gift Guide!