Fun, functional gift ideas for kids in occupational therapy

Finding the right gift for a child receiving occupational therapy goes beyond just fun and games; it’s about choosing toys that help them grow, develop new skills, and feel empowered. Whether it’s building strength, improving coordination, or engaging with the world through their senses, the right gift can make a big difference. You can purchase many of these toys directly from trusted brands such as Abilitations, Fat Brain Toys, Melissa & Doug, and Lakeshore Learning. From strengthening little fingers to calming sensory overload, here are some exciting ideas that encourage motor development, sensory exploration, and social skills, all while keeping the fun factor high this holiday season and beyond!

Toys that Encourage Grasping, Pinching, and Manipulation

• Clothespins & Tweezer Toys: Doing arts and crafts, as well as playing games with these objects help strengthen fine motor skills – teaching kids how to pinch, grasp, and manipulate objects with their hands.
• Building Blocks: Wooden block sets or Legos promote hand strength and coordination as kids learn to build, stack, and fit pieces together. It also encourages children to think creatively and let their imaginations take over!

Items with Various Textures, Weights, or Calming Properties

• Sensory Balls: Balls with different textures and weights can help with tactile exploration and provide calming input through touch.
• Weighted Blankets or Stuffed Animals: Weighted blankets and plushies can offer comfort and deep pressure input, helping children regulate their sensory systems.

Games or Activities Involving Aiming, Threading, or Catching

• Catch and Toss Games: Bean bags or balls that children can aim, throw, and catch improve hand-eye coordination.
• Lacing and Threading Toys: Lacing beads to create fun jewelry or lanyards, as well as kid-friendly plastic sewing kits can teach precision and finger control, which are great for building hand strength and coordination.

Puzzles, Mazes, or Drawing Sets

• Jigsaw Puzzles: These encourage problem-solving, focus, and fine motor skills as children work to fit pieces together. Puzzles are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and even textures that will keep kids entertained.
• Maze Books: Great for building cognitive skills like planning and sequencing, these books come in many themes that will fit your child’s interests.
• Drawing and Art Sets: Crayons, markers, colored pencils and more will inspire creativity while also strengthening hand coordination.

Pretend Play Items

• Doll and Accessory Sets: Dressing dolls or action figures helps with fine motor control and imaginative play.
• Play Kitchens: Cooking sets that involve small utensils or pretend food encourage social skills and coordination, and are available at many price points to fit your budget.

Gifts That Engage Multiple Senses

• Kinetic Sand: Moldable sand comes in many colors and helps provide sensory feedback and calming properties while helping with hand strength and coordination.
• Slime or Silly Putty: The tactile sensation of slime or putty engages the hands and provides calming sensory input.
• Musical Instruments: Simple instruments like drums, tambourines, or maracas allow children to explore rhythm, improve hand-eye coordination, and engage with sound.

Resistance-Based Toys or Games

• Therapy Putty: Different from widely available Silly Putty, therapy putty comes in various resistance levels and helps children improve grip strength and fine motor skills.
• Pop Tubes: Stretchable and bendable, pop tubes offer resistance and help with hand strength and fine motor planning.

Games That Require Planning or Following Steps

• Board Games with Rules: Fun games like memory card matching sets, "Simon Says", or “Guess Who” help children with sequencing, following instructions, and improving attention to detail.
• Building Sets: Toys like Lego, K'NEX, or Magformers require children to plan out designs and sequences of steps to build structures.

Cooperative Games That Encourage Turn-Taking and Sharing

• Group Board Games: Games like Candy Land, Mouse Trap, or Connect Four promote teamwork, turn-taking, and communication skills.
• Collaborative Story Games: Games where players take turns creating stories or solving problems together can enhance social interaction and cooperation.

Small Balance Toys or Stepping Stones

• Balance Beams or Stepping Stones: These toys help children work on balance and coordination, encouraging body awareness and physical control.
• Wobble Boards: For a fun challenge, wobble boards encourage motor development by helping children work on balance and posture.

Picking out gifts that combine fun with therapeutic progress is a great way to help kids build and practice  important skills. Whether they're boosting fine motor skills, sharpening sensory processing, or making new friends, these toys make therapy feel like playtime—and they’re packed with benefits that support their growth!