The Ultimate Guide to Occupational Therapy Toys (2024)

Wondering about occupational therapy toys to give as gifts? There are so many therapist-recommended toys that support development of skills!

Pediatric OT professionals use toys in occupational therapy interventions and are often asked about theirrecommendationsfor the bestoccupational therapy toys. Many times, parents are looking for holiday or birthday ideas or they want to pass on somegiftideas to grandparents that will help the child rather than collect dust.

Today, I’ve got the ultimate list of therapeutictoyideas, broken down intoOTgiftguides by skill area. So, if you’ve got a child who needs to develop specific skill areas, this enormous list ofoccupational therapy toyswill serve you well!

You’ll also want to check out our blog post on occupational therapy Amazon deals for OT items that won’t break the bank.

Occupational Therapy Toys

So, you may be wondering…how aretoysused in occupational therapy? Well, that is a good question! Occupational therapy professionals work to help people become more independent in functional tasks.

We use the real life objects liketoys, clothing, utensils…asoccupational therapytools to support and promote development.

The thing is that OTtoyssupport development inkidsof all ages! From the baby stage through preschool, to kindergarten and school age, to teenagers, to adults, therapytoyssupport development at all stages!

OTswork with all ages to help address the very skills that occupy a person’s time. Inkids, that occupation is likely play. It’s through play thattherapistsbuild skills. Occupationaltherapistsand Certified occupational therapy assistants usetoysand games for many reasons.

Why doOccupational Therapistsusetoysinoccupational therapy?

In occupational therapy sessions, you’ll seetherapistsusingtoysand games to develop areas ofchild developmentsuch as:

Motor planning
Coordination
Balance
Positioning
Fine motor skills
Gross motor skills
Sensory needs and tolerance
Handwriting
Hand-Eye Coordination
Hand strength and dexterity
Cognitive skills
Problem solving
Strength and endurance
Executive functioning skills
Imaginative play and play development skills
Social emotional skills
Social skills
Bilateral coordination
Visual motor integration
Functional task development
Tummy time tolerance
Emotional needs
Self-regulation
Movement tolerance
SO much more!

InOT,toysare used to developnew skillsand to help children move throughskill levelsas they develop and refine the areas listed above.Toysare afun wayto getlittle handsand little bodies building, growing, and developing!

Through play and withtoys, children become more confident in their abilities. They are able to practice skill development in a low-pressure scenario that is fun, engaging, and motivating. When children play in therapy sessions, they are using novel games,puzzles,toys, and activities that help them to practice through play.

Toyscan boost a child’s creativity and cognitive skills as they problem solve in games andtoyuse. They can strategize, and practice interactions with others with therapeutictoys.

Toysthat are selected for therapy sessions can include astrong sensory components. Or, they can involve movement, motor skill development,bright colors,small items. Whether atherapistis using classictoysor novel therapeutic games andfun activities, the gamestherapistsplay are selected to meet the specific needs of the child or therapyparticipant.

Toysare some of the best equipment that occupationaltherapistsuse!

The Ultimate Guide to Occupational Therapy Toys (2)

TherapeuticToyIdeas

I’ve designed this list ofoccupational therapy toysto be a resource for thepediatric occupational therapistlooking foroccupational therapy supplies, or fresh ideas for therapy equipment for theOTclinic. I’ve also created thisOTgiftguide as suggestions for therapy professionals to pass onto parents and caregivers looking for developmentaltoystogiftto children with needs.

The way this therapytoysgiftguide works is by skill area. You’ll find links fortoysspecific to each skill area linked below.

Over the years here on TheOTToolbox, we’ve created A LOT of therapygiftguides.

All of these therapeutictoyideas are broken down to describe each area of development and then to list outtoyideas that support that skill area. You’ll find links to eachtoyand a brief description on how that specifictoyor game helps children to develop skills.

Almost all of thesetoyideas are available onAmazon, so you can easily fill your therapy room ortoyroom with therapeutictoysthat build skills.

So, if you are looking for occupational therapyAmazon recommendationsforbest toys…look no further!

Occupational therapy toysgiftguide

Ready for the BESToccupational therapy toys? Select the area ofchild developmentwhich you are hoping to promote and then head to the link to read all about that area as well as to find links to purchase eachtoy.

Below, we are covering the best developmental toys, broken down by skill area. Scroll to the area of development that best suits the needs of the children you work with in OT, PT, ST, or any realm of child development. These are therapy toy suggestions that can be handed out to parents looking for gift ideas that support development.

Some of the toy lists below include a printable handout that can be given to parents of children receiving therapy services. Many times, parents are looking for toy ideas for holiday gifts or birthday gifts. Therapy toys help to promote development and skill-building.

We’ve put together a printable handout for several toy lists, so you can print out the lists and hand them out to the parent of each child, based on that individual child’s specific needs. We wanted to make these lists as easy for you as possible so you don’t need to re-create the wheel when it comes to recommending toys as a therapy provider.

Plus, each printable toy list has space for you to write in additional toy recommendations, so if a child really enjoys playing with a specific brand or toy in therapy sessions, you can write that toy idea right on the page.

We’ve included a link to each blog post which has a printable therapy toy handout. The toy lists that don’t have a handout associated with them are linked further down in this blog post.

Fine motortherapy toys

Thesefine motortoysand tools are designed to develop fine motor skill development, refined motor use of the hands,hand strength, eyehand coordination, and all of the motor skills usingfine motor activitiesthrough play.

Fine motor therapy toys support hand strength, precision, hand-eye coordination, and motor planning in the hands. These skills allow us to hold and use a pencil, use scissors, use utensils, complete clothing fasteners like buttons and zippers, type on a computer, and so much more!

Some of thetoyideas you’ll find described in this resource include:

Play dough
Beads
Peg boards
Pop beads
Chalk
Slime
Geoboards
Tweezer games
Board games
Construction toys
Paper tearing crafts
Puzzles
MUCH MORE

CLICK HERE to find all of the Fine MotorToyRecommendations.

Gross Motortherapy Toys

TherapistsuseGross motortoysto work on coordination, motor planning, balance, position changes, sensory input though heavy work, and more. All of these areas are needed to kick, hop, jump, stoop, crawl, and play!

These therapytoyideas supportmotor planningand body awareness (or theawareness of their bodies), promote self-regulation, offer heavy proprioceptive input, and movement-based vestibular input.

Whole body toys like the ones suggested below help kids to establish awareness of their body but also strengthen their core for better posture, develop upper extremity strength and lower body strength for better stability in every day tasks. These gross motor toys build stronger bodies with body tone for greater strength and stability.

Some general suggestions for occupational therapy and physical therapytoysinclude:

Tunnels
Obstacle course materials
Jump ropes
Balance beams
Scooter board
Balance rocks
Midline play toys
Balls
Bouncing toys
Infant and baby blankets and playmats
Stilt walkers on rope
MUCH MORE

CLICK HERE to find all of the Gross MotorToysand why each supports gross motor development in children through teens.

Occupational Therapy Toysto Develop Hand strength

The hand strengtheningtoysanddexteritytoysdescribed in this list ofpencil grasptoyssupport developmental needs to hold and write with a pencil.

The toys we’ve curated below are creative and motivating ways to work on pencil grasp, endurance infine motor activities, and other fine motor tasks with creative and fun products.

Occupational therapists love to make therapy sessions fun and engaging, while working on the very tasks that are hard to do! That’s why working on an area like pencil grasp can be accomplished through play and not just when using a pencil.

Try theseOTtoysto support pencil grasp development:

Beads
Scrape art
Play dough
Clay
Torn paper art
Tweezer toys& games
Fusion beads
Kerplunk
Lacing card activities
Crumble art kits
MORE

CLICK HERE to read all about the Hand strengthening activitiesand how eachtoyrecommendationssupports specific skills needed for pencil grasp development.

Occupational Therapy Games for Pencil Grasp

Somekidsare gamers but still need to develop thefine motor skillsneeded for a functional grasp. Thesegames for pencil graspideas are great for youngerkidsthrough teens who are working onhand strength,dexterity, endurance, motor control to write with a pencil.

Be sure to check out the gross motor ideas, fine motor toys, and hand strengthening toys listed above because those toy ideas will support pencil grasp, too!

Some game ideas recommended byOTsinclude:

Battleship
Checkers (pegboard version)
Tweezer games
Lightbright (use in tic/tac/toe!)
Wind-up toy races
MORE

Occupational therapy Toysfor kids that hate to write

Speaking of writing, sometimeskidsHATE to write. That’s where these toys for reluctant writerscome in.

These ideas are great for the home, theclassroom, or theclinic…anywhere you are working on writing skills but want to make the task meaningful and engaging…not a chore! Thesetoysmake writing FUN…and some don’t even seem like work at all.

Here aretoysforkidsthat hate to write:

Motivating writing toys
Journals with a lock
Diary with fun markers or silly pens
Fun pens
Scented markers
Messy writing toys
Easel toys
Toys on a vertical surface
Letter/note writing kits

CLICK HERE to find our recommended toysfor reluctant writers…Let’s make handwriting fun and not a hated activity.

Occupational therapy Toysfor spatial awareness

These toysfor developing spatial awarenessare designed to promote visual spatial skills needed for handwriting, eye-hand coordination, and moving the body in a given space.

Sometimes children need to work on spatial awareness on a large or small scale. Kidswill love these interactive activities for developing spatial awareness skills. That’s where these funtoyscome into play:

Building toys
Puzzle toys
Geoboard activities
Directional arrows
MORE

CLICK HERE to find the full list ofspatial awarenesstoys.

Therpy Toysfor visual tracking

Visual tracking is a visual processing skill and these toyshelp with visual tracking skillsneeded for copying written work, reading, and body coordination games like tag, catching a ball, riding a bike, and more.

Try adding these visual trackingtoysto your therapy toolbox to support reading fluency and comprehension, too. Support kidsvisual processing needs through fun and engaging activities.

Marble mazes
Labyrinth Games and toys
I Spy books
Tangram toys
Puzzles
Slow-motion balls
Catching and tossing games
MORE

CLICK HERE for all of the Visual Tracking Toysand Games.

OT Toysfor visual scanning

Visual scanning is another visual processing ability that is needed for functional tasks and learning.

Thesetoysto support visual scanning skillshelpkidsto scan for needed information in a learning task, finding information in written text, scanning for items in a backpack or drawer, and searching the visual field for information.

All of these needs relate to visual motor integration that is needed for function, learning, andparticipationin daily occupations.

Occupational therapy sensory Toys

Sensory productsandsensorytoysare a valuable tool to addresssensory needs, add to a play-based sensory diet, use for sensory seekers or sensory avoiders in theclassroomor home.

These sensorytoyssupportsensory processing disorder, or can be used for self-regulation or coping strategies, too.

Sensory activitiesin therapy involves play, and you can use these sensory-basedtoysto support needs in the home, too.

Messy play toys
Texturepainting supplies (finger paints, etc.)
Sensory binandsensory binsupplies
Water play toys
Slime and play dough
Crafting materials
Heavy work movement toys
Sensory equipment
Balance beams
Bouncing toys
MORE

CLICK HERE for sensorytoysrecommended by occupationaltherapistsand the WHY behind sensory equipment for the home.

Occupational therapy Toysfor tactile challenges

Occupationaltherapistslove to usetactile sensorytoysto challenge the sensory system of touch. In this way we can help to calm the sensory system that is hyper-responsive withtoysthat offer calming, heavy work through the tactile sense.

Or, we can alert the sensory system using tactile input that is alerting and “wakes up” the body through the sense of touch.

These relate to functional tasks so that children can interact with others and participate in daily occupations. Check out these tactiletoys:

Kinetic sand
Bean bags
Sand art
Messy art materials
Glue
MORE

CLICK HERE to read about our tactile sensorytoyrecommendations.

Therapy toys for Bilateral coordination

Sometimes forgotten, but oh, so important is thebilateral coordinationskills needed for integrating both sides of the hands in functional tasks.

Whether it betoysformidline play,trunkmobility activities, ortoysand game that use both sides of the body in gross motorfine motor activities, thesefavorite toyssupportbilateral coordinationskills.

Check out these bilateral coordination activities and toys:

Foozeball games
Zoom ball games
Target activities
Instrument toys
Bow and arrow toys
Sewing or lacing activities
Rock em Sock em Robots
MORE

CLICK HERE to read all of our bilateral coordination toy recommendations.

Occupational therapy Games for Executive Functioning Skills

We’ve got TWO resources here on the website on games to support attention, memory, organization, impulse control, planning, prioritization, etc.

Check out this resource on games for executive functioning and this second resource with MORE games to improve executive function.

Some of our favorite executive functioning therapy games include:

Checkers
Self-control games
Distraction
Consequences
Memory
Ticket to Ride
Labyrinth
Code Names
and MORE

CLICK HERE for one list of EF games and HERE for more executive functioning games.

OT Toysfor wrist extension & stability

Wrist extension and stability is an important fine motor skill needed for functional tasks like clothing fasteners, tying shoes, typing, writing, coloring, manipulating small objects, fastening a seat belt, and so much more.

These toys to improve wrist extension and stability will help with these motor skills.

Check out these toy ideas:

Kerplunk
Floor games (also great for tummy time activities for babies and toddlers)
Use these crayons for toddlers to support strength and coordination
Big artwork activities
Twister
Stamps
Darts
MORE

CLICK HERE for more wrist stability and extension games that kids will love.

OCcupational Therapy Toysfor visual perception

Working on visual perception and visual motor integration through play allows children to develop the skills they need for learning, reading, and function with every day toys.

The ability to integrate spatial awareness into functional tasks is part of the visual processing system, and the visual motor skills are needed for doing everyday activities.

These toys for visual perceptual skills are fun ways to do just that! Grab some of these toys:

Mazes
Building toys
Stickers
Puzzle toys
MORE

CLICK HERE for more visual perceptual skills toys to support child developments.

Toysfor math skills

Kids that struggle with math can benefit from math toys while building skills and concepts through play.

These math toys also have motor skills benefits, allowing kids to incorporate eye hand coordination and input with multisensory learning.

Math skills are a functional part of everyday life. You need math to set a clock so you can wake up at a certain time. You need math for cooking. You need math for shopping and money management. In these ways (and so many more!) math is a functional part of everyday life.

Meaning that while occupational therapy doesn’t specifically teach math skills, OTs DO work on strategies to support areas of need when it comes to money, time management, writing checks, finances, shopping, and other IADLS.

Doing these tasks is what allows humans to function in the works around them. These math toys can be a great help for teens and older individuals that struggle in these areas.

These are great additions to the classroom or home to support math learning:

Card games
Adding games
Building anc construction toys
Monopoly
Tangram toys
MORE

CLICK HERE for the full list of multisensory math toys and games.

Occupational therapy Toysfor scissor skills

Children that struggle with scissor skills can get tired of working on cutting with scissors day after day.

That’s where these toys for developing scissor skills comes into play. Use the games and activities to work on scissor control and use in fun and engaging activities that are low-stress because they are meaningful!

Craft materials
Tong activities
Fine motor games
Hand strengthening toys
Jacks
Toys that encourage separation of the sides of the hand

CLICK HERE for our list of toys for scissor skills.

OT Toys for Attention and focus

We love to use toys to support the development of attention skills and focusing. Distraction can happen in the moment while completing any task throughout the day, so toys to promote working memory, focus, and attention are pivotal.

Occupational therapy toys for attention include:

Timer games
Distraction games
Memory games
Timed crafts

CLICK HERE for our list of toys for attention and focus.

Occupational Therapy Toysfor dressing and self-care

OTs work on daily functional tasks and self-care, including getting oneself dressed each day is part of that independence level. Occupational therapists use toys to support functional tasks like self-dressing as a fun way to build skills kids need. Try these toys for dressing skills:

Buttoning toys
Zippering toys
Clothing fastener dolls
Manipulation boards and puzzles
Hand strengtheinng activities

CLICK HERE for more fun toys to support dressing skills.

Occupational Therapy Toysfor coloring

Children that have weak fine motor skills complain of fatigue and pain during coloring tasks. That’s why these toys to support coloring skills work on these very areas.

Kids that HATE to color will love to play with these engaging toys and games, all while building hand strength, eye-hand coordination, and motor planning skills through play. Try some of these coloring toys:

Scented markers
Messy art activities
Large coloring pages
Easel
Watercolors activities
Meaningful and motivating coloring books
MORE

CLICK HERE for our list of toys to promote coloring skills and the WHY behind these toy selections.

Magnet Toys

Kids love these awesome magnettoysbut don’t realize the fine motor work and hand strengthening they are developing through play. Kids are challenged with weaker fine motor skills more than ever before.

These magnet toys promote fine motor strength and coordination through fun and engaging magnet play:

Magnet blocks
Magnet science activities
Magnet building toys
Magnet puzzles
Magnetic letters and numbers
Fridge activities
MORE

CLICK HERE for more magnet toys that build skills.

Keychain FidgetToys

These keychain fidget toys are the perfect stocking stuffers. Use these mini fidget toys for all the benefits of fidget tools for attention, focus, and play, on a small scale.

You can attach these keychain fidgets to backpacks, beltloops, shoes, or jackets. Use them as coping tools on the school bus, in the classroom, during circle time, or when learning in the classroom.

Keychain pea pod
keychain pop it
Keychain bead toy
keychain buckle loops
MORE

CLICK HERE for more keychain fidget toys that kids can use in any environment.

FidgetToys

Fidget toys seem to be the new “it toy”, especially the Pop Its that are everywhere. But did you know that occupational therapists have been using fidget toys for years to address stress, anxiety, focus, attention, sensory processing needs, fine motor skills, and more?

These fidget toys are tools to support the many needs of kids so they can function in the classroom or home.

Pop Its
Stress balls
Stretch band toys
Click toys
FIdget spinners
Pencil topper fidgets
Finger traps
Wikki Sstix
MORE

CLICK HERE for all of our fidget toy recommendations.

Printable Lists: Occupational therapy TOys

So? Did you find some new toys to add to your therapy collection? These toys are sure to be a hit this holiday season or birthday…and kids won’t even know they are building skills!

Do you want free Occupational therapy toy recommendations in hand out form? Head to these links to get your copies. Each blog post has a form at the bottom where you can enter your email address.

You’ll need to go to each blog post for the toy ideas and to get that toy area’s handout.

The OT Toolbox Member’s Club members can access these printable pages all in one place. Simply log into your membership account and head to Educational Handouts to grab each handout without entering your email address for each page.

Click this link to make a copy of your own. Use it to share with parents, grandparents, aunts, and anyone asking about developmentally appropriate birthday gift ideas or holiday gift ideas for the kids you serve!

Fine Motor Toys
Gross Motor Toys
Toys for Pencil Grasp
Toys for Reluctant Writers
Toys for Spatial Awareness
Toys for Visual Tracking
Toys for Sensory Play
Bilateral Coordination Toys
Games for Executive Functioning
Visual Perception Toys
Scissor Skills Toys
Toys for Attention and Focusing Skills

The Ultimate Guide to Occupational Therapy Toys (3)

Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.

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