“What should I get them???”
As therapists we hear this all the time.
You know what else we hear often?
“My kids don’t really play with toys.”
Here’s our 2 cents on this as professionals who believe in the power of play. We all play. All mammals. No matter how old. We were designed for play. It’s the best form of stress release. It recharges creative pathways. And most importantly, it brings JOY.
Sometimes as parents the hardest part is finding the right toy for the right kid (or adult). But we believe Santa has the perfect one for everyone 
.
So here’s what we’ve done this week.
We’ve made our lists and we’ve checked them twice.
We added toys we have in our homes. Toys we’ve learned about in patient’s homes. Toys recommended by therapists around the globe. And toys that span a large range of interests and prices. Remember that toys and interest vary by age, so something on another list may really interest a child even if it is not included on the list for your child’s particular age.
We’ve given suggestions by age but here we are sharing some of our favorite MOTOR toys! Toys on this list include items that motivate kids to move – both with their larger muscles for gross motor movement (rolling, crawling,walking, running, jumping, climbing and more) and fine motor movement (pointing, plucking, squeezing, scooping and more!) Here’s our picks for this group this year!
Poke A Dot Farm –
Wonderful for promoting isolation of the index finger for pointing – am important fine motor skill!
Hop & Count Hopscotch Rug-
Even when it’s chilly inside, kids can work on balancing and coordination while having fun! Could also be used in non traditional ways by having them jump to a particular color or number.
Climb & Crawl Foam Play Set-
Could be used in many ways from early positioning to toddler tumbling!
Keyboard Play Mat-
Add some music to jumping fun!
Hearthsong Liquid Tiles-
Love these for motivational moving from tummy time to jumping. While they are an investment for the whole set, they can be purchased individually and a few seem like fun!
Knobby Ball Set-
So many motor skills can be taught with a ball – every home should have at least 1! Catch, kick, games, turn taking and more!
Hoola Hoop-
A very simple but versatile toy, they can be used the traditional way or for crawling, stepping, or jumping over and through. Great for directional, “Simon Says” type play and balance and coordination.
Large Fitness Ball-
Great to positioning (with supervision) for young babies, bouncing and playing on for toddlers and kids of all ages, and even alternative seating for meals or homework. One of our favorite ways is playing games over the ball in a plank position to strengthen shoulders (great for handwriting!).
Stomp Rocket-
Fun for balance on one leg and jumping.
Tweezers and Eye Droppers-
Creative fun options are endless while strengthening those tiny hand muscles – color sorting games and activities, art creations, and early science (check out our Pinterest pages for ideas!).
Balance Pods-
Love how these can be moved for simple early motion coordination games (close together for a balance beam, farther apart for indoor stone skipping). Great challenge for older kids can be progressed (stand on one foot and play ball!).
Peg Boards-
Wonderful for fine motor strengthening and early “game” playing, patterns, simple math and more.
Animal Pop Blocks-
Loved these items for play on the go (restaurant, plane, car, church) because they have few parts. Great for hand strengthening and early language with animal sound imitation.
Dimpl-
The reviews on this fine motor gem are unanimously outstanding. I may just order one for myself for play on the go.
Crawling tunnel-
Wonderful for encouraging crawling and sensory exploration.
First Slide-
I’m a fan on these outside on warm days and inside on cooler ones. Will occupy kids for hours while working on safe climbing and filling sensory needs.
Trampoline-
As a parent, I wouldn’t have survived toddlerhood in the winter without this in my house. As a therapist, I love it for sensory needs and motor coordination and strengthening.
Shopping Cart-
My go to instead of push walkers for babies learning to walk. Allows for free movement and strengthening with the option of weighing down (and gradually reducing weight) as the child gets stronger and needs less help.
Floor Tiles-
So many homes have wood or tile floors leaving parents nervous and young babies hesitant to explore. I love these because they provide a softer surface that is also smooth, making early belly scooting and crawling on hands and knees simpler.
Activity Mat-
Love these for early reaching, batting, and rolling and this one in particular includes colors that baby sees first.
Indoor Swing-
Motor skills progress best when kids get plenty of opportunity to feed their sensory systems and swings are one of many ways to do just that.
