Which toys are fun for kids… and help them learn and grow?
Whether shopping for the holiday season or a birthday gift, why not find a toy that may help a child reach developmental milestones and address sensory needs? As a pediatric occupational therapist, I definitely have a child gift giving advantage, as I get to observe how children in our clinics like (or dislike) a variety of toys each day.
My Ultimate Gift Guide includes therapeutic toys that are 100% kiddo approved! They are not simply toys that a child will “tolerate”. They’re actually “go-to items” that I have repeatedly seen children “work” for and enjoy during their therapy sessions! As a rule, I try to make therapy toy recommendations as economical as possible. If you are looking for other budget friendly solutions, check out my blogs on Sensory Stocking Stuffers or Sensory Christmas Gifts.
For the current list, I am focusing more on the fun AND therapeutic factors of each item recommended. This list includes items that can be obtained from the local dollar store, all the way up to over $100. However, the vast majority of items are in the much more reasonable price range of $20-30, and many are even less than that.
Finally, as a disclaimer, I provided a rough price, website link, and picture for each item. These are simply examples and often not actual brands of items that I have tried. Feel free to read the reviews and choose similar, alternate items. Most images obtained from Amazon.com or Walmart.com.
Now, let the fun begin! On to my gift list.
Magna-Tiles ($50). Many kiddos will have LEGOS on their list. And while I DO love LEGOS for fine motor development and overall child creativity, the pieces seem to get swept under the coffee table, or worse, stepped on by bare feet. OUCH! What I love about Magna tiles is that they are large enough that that young hands can manipulate them, large enough that you don’t have to worry about little siblings choking on them, yet challenging enough that older children enjoy making more complex structures, too. Even I like joining in on the fun! A win for the whole family!
Kinetic Sand ($10). This one is on my own Christmas list this year! I love this stuff but have yet to get any of my own. This “sand” has the consistency of brown sugar, so it sticks & packs together nicely like wet beach sand. This makes it great for building and molding, but also makes it a bit less messy than traditional dry sand. It’s excellent for helping children with tactile defensiveness learn to enjoy a broader range of textures.
Mermaid fabric pillow ($15). This is the sequined fabric that changes colors when you run your hand over it to flip the sequins. This stuff is mesmerizing! I got both of my kiddos Mermaid throw pillows for their beds last Christmas. However, many different items utilize this same fabric, from bracelets, to book covers, to back packs, and many, many more! It is definitely the current fad, definitely fantastic for sensory stimming, and definitely fun!
Spin Again ($30). This spinning gear toy is way cooler than a simple ring stacker that you can get for just $10. And, there is a reason that it has a 5-star rating on Amazon with over 500 reviews. I will admit that I was a bit shocked by the price when I searched for it on Amazon. However, I use it almost daily in the clinic with my toddlers, and it is my go-to for getting even the most resistant 2 year old to smile & participate. Yes, it is a great ring stacker for working on fine motor skills and eye hand coordination, but it also has the fantastic visual appeal of the gears spinning as they whirl down the central rod.
Piggy Bank toy ($15). We probably have at least three of these toy piggy banks, just in the occupational therapy clinic alone. We use them that much. They’re great for hand manipulation of the coins, isolating the index finger to open and close the door on the side, counting, labeling colors, etc. These are a definite winner amongst the toddler crowd.
Simon game ($20). I have been on my anti-electronics soapbox many times before, and Simon provided an excellent alternative if you are so inclined. My own kids LOVE to play the classic Simon game, the one from when we parents were kids. AND, my kids don’t mind at all that they take Simon instead of the family’s ipad when their school has “Electronics Day” as rewards. My kids are spared long lectures from me as to not drop or lose Simon, and the other kids are actually mesmerized by a toy that they have never seen before. Even more benefit…as an OT mama, I also love how Simon works on short-term memory, attention to task, response speed, and fine motor skills.
Spin-a-letter ($20). Here’s a dramatic but true story… When my son was a toddler, we were hit with an epic ice storm and lost power. In true Arkansas fashion, the sun melted the roads, but we were without power (and heat) for several days. So we packed up to stay with friends who had power and heat, but no kids or toys. What did I take with me that would not take up too much room, but would keep a toddler busy for hours? The Spin-a-letter! Granted, a decade later, we still have the Spin-a-letter songs stuck in our heads, but this toy is great for working on eye hand coordination and cause and effect. AND for the kiddos on the autism spectrum who love ABC’s and visual spinning, this is the perfect toy!
Classic board games (~$20-25). This is where you should use your own favorites and pick what YOU loved as a child! Uno, Connect 4, Guess Who, Twister, Jenga, Trouble, Yahtzee, Clue, Battleship, Blokus… All of these games work on problem solving, strategy, and good sportsmanship. Many of them also have an additional bonus of working on fine motor skills, visual perceptual skills, and/or gross motor skills. If all of this were not enough, the social/emotional benefits of “family game night” simply cannot be quantified. So pick your favorite, order a pizza, and make family game night a regular occurrence in your household.
Hand fidgets ($1-10 each). Slinkies, water wiggles, Koosh balls, water timers, stress balls, wind-up toys… All of these items are great! In fact, I have a personal sensory toy bucket in the clinic that is hands down the “reward” my clients request the most. These items serve the dual purpose of being sensory soothing as well as improving fine motor skills. These items can be ordered off Amazon, but as an added bonus, most can also be found at your local dollar store.
Mini Trampoline ($50). A mini trampoline is my #1 go-to for sensory input and gross motor skills. Very important for getting the wiggles out on these cold winter days! When searching out prices, look for the mini trampolines marketed toward adults rather than children, as the adult trampolines tend to be much less expensive and much more durable. As an added bonus, even the adults in the house can use them for exercise! The mini trampolines without handles can slide easily under the bed, and the ones with the balance handle can provide additional support for little ones. Both are WAY less dangerous than a standard trampoline. (Please note that standard trampolines are NOT recommended in this blog. Even with nets and other safety precautions, they are just not safe for the little sensory seeker!) And as always, children need supervision when using a mini trampoline!
About the author:
Melissa Foster is a Nationally Board Certified Occupational