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Stumped about what to get your kids this year? Our therapists are serving up a list of their favorite toys.

Gifts Ideas From an OT

Cara Weber, Occupational Therapist, OTR/L
Don't Break the Ice Game

Don't Break the Ice Game

If you are looking for a fun way to target executive functioning, sequencing, hand strengthening, visual motor integration, and turn-taking, this game is the game for you. See who will be the first to make the penguin fall into the icy water!

Pancake Pile-up

Pancake Pile-Up

Honestly, this is one of my favorite games to play with kids! This activity can help with visual perception and visual scanning, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor integration!

My First Book Busy Farm

My First Book Busy Farm

These books are filled with different textures and items for babies and toddlers to interact and play with such as different fabrics, zippers, buckles, and character pieces! These types of books offer a sensory experience while also working on fine motor skills and pretend play. And look how cute the backpack is to carry it all!

VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube

VTech Busy Learners Activity Cube

Each side of the cube has different buttons/ pulleys/rollers which promotes baby to want to utilize all 6 sides! It can also help with bilateral gross motor coordination, fine motor pinch and grasp, learning cause and effect, learning animal sounds, numbers, letters, assist with upright sitting balance and challenge use of arms to play while on tummy. This will be on Zaydens wish list this year!

Gift Ideas From an SLP

Libby Boot, Speech-Language Pathologist, MA, CCC-SLP
Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter

Melissa & Doug Wooden Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Counter

This is a great pretend play toy. With this toy, pretend play, sequencing, inferencing, problem-solving, and shared play ideas could be targeted. And who doesn’t love ice cream!

Blank Slate

Blank Slate

This is a great game for older kids working to strengthen language skills and perspective-taking skills.
Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons

Magnetic Reusable Water Balloons

These balloons are a fun and simple toy that can be used for so many play ideas. They are great for sensory play, hiding objects inside, playing with others, and more!
Fubble Bubbles

Fubble Bubbles

Fubble Bubbles are great for play to focus on engagement, oral motor skills, turn taking, language development, and so on. These no-spill bubbles also allow the kiddos to hold the bubble container and practice the motor plan of independently dipping and blowing the bubble wand, without the stress of a big bubble solution mess!

Gift Ideas from a PT

Katie DeRoo, Doctor of Physical Therapy, PT, DPT, C/NDT
LeapFrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo

LeapFrog Spin and Sing Alphabet Zoo

The Spin and Sing is a tried and true favorite for ages 4-18 months. Motivating for tummy time, sitting, and pulling to stand. I haven't met a baby who doesn't love this toy, and it's one of my favorites to gift to new parents!
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Launcher

Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket Launcher

Stomp Rockets are a fun way to practice standing on one foot for balance training. If we have a balance goal in PT, there's a good chance we're playing with stomp rockets!
Micro Kickboard Three Wheeled Scooter

Micro Kickboard

This is my favorite 3-wheel scooter, with 2 wheels in front and 1 wheel in the rear. Great for learning to lean to steer, which will later help your little one learn to ride a bike.
Guardian 20-inch Large Bike

Guardian 20-inch Large Bike

Guardian bikes are lightweight and convert from a balance to a regular pedal bike. I used this for my daughter who was struggling to learn to ride a bike and she was able to master it quickly!
B. toys Sensory Balance Beams

B. toys Sensory Balance Beams

B. toys are great for long winter days to practice balance and stepping skills. There are so many possibilities with this toy - I use it regularly during PT sessions!

Looking for something that's not here? Check out last year's gift guide!

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