Sensory Fun!

OT Activity of the Day:

Water Beads!

Target Age Range: 2 and up (please note that these look like candy and your young child should be warned not to eat them and monitored while playing)

Water beads are one of my favorite things to play with.  I bought these at Michael's in the flower filler section (technically they were made to keep flowers hydrated).  They start out as tiny little beads and when water is added they grow.  

This is a great activity for those sensory seeking children and can be very calming.  You can add small manipulatives to the container like magnetic letters, animals, beads, or anything else you may have around the house.  If your child is more likely to eat the beads you can always place the beads in a ziploc bag before giving it to your young child.  They won't be able to feel the wet texture, however it will be a more calming visual experience.

Enjoy!

Shapes!

OT Activity of the Day:

Tracing Shapes

Target Age Range: 4 and up

Today we're continuing to focus on bilateral coordination, but instead of cutting, we're tracing shapes instead!  

Now I call this my "collage of shapes" however you and your child can easily make an actual picture (coupling the square and triangle to make a house for example).  I used paper plates to make my shape templates, but you can easily use cardboard or even card stock, just something that is more sturdy than regular paper.

The focus is to have your child stabilize the shape with one hand while they trace with the other.  Again, this ability is important because this is the skill (bilateral coordination) that will help with using both hands together (cutting, shoe tying, buttoning and "helper" hand while writing to name a few).

Enjoy!

Scissor Fun!

OT Activity of the Day:

Scissor Fun!

Target Age Range: 3 and up

If using scissors is hard for your child, odds are they may shy away from tasks that involve the skill.  Here's a way to entice your children to use scissors even if it is challenging: give them fun craft scissors they can use to add flare to their art project!  They don't have to cut on a line, just practice cutting the paper any way they want.  A fun way to work on bilateral coordination and fine motor manipulation!

Enjoy!

Painting with Water

OT Activity of the Day:

Water painting!

Target Age Range: 1 and up

I've talked about painting with water while outside, but now I'm bringing it inside.  This is a great way to introduce the simple sequence of painting and tool use in those very young kiddos.  What I like about this is that you don't have to worry about your child eating, or drinking, the paint and if your child is really into the activity you can even use card stock or a piece of cardboard as the canvas (more durable than regular paper).  You can also use this with the older kiddos and work on those prewriting and letter strokes.  

So really, it's mess free painting, enjoy!

Sticker Fun

OT Activity of the Day: 

Dinosaur Stickers!

Target Age Range: 3 and up

Foam stickers are always a fun activity.  On my latest trip to Michael's I spent at least 10 minutes trying to figure out which sticker set to buy, so the options are endless.  What's great about foam stickers is that your child will have to really use their fine motor skills to peel off the back of the stickers.  Despite how tricky these stickers can be, your child will be motivated enough to keep at it until the end.

For the younger kiddos you can simply add some crayons or markers so your child can really create a masterpiece.  Add an element of writing for those older kiddos and have them describe their sticker picture. Enjoy!

Marble Painting

OT Activity of the Day:

Painting with Marbles

Target Age Range: 4 and up

I know I've said it before, but bilateral coordination is an important skill for those school age kids. This will help them with cutting and writing, both being staples in your young child's life.  A great way to hone in on this skill is to paint with marbles!  

Here's what you'll need: a tray (I used an aluminum tray, though you can easily use a rimmed cookie sheet), paper, paint, and a few marbles (how many you use is up to you).  Just to ease up on any mess concern, this may be a fun activity to do outside!

After you place the paper in the tray and add your paint and marbles, you hand the tray to your child and let them gently use both their hands to tip the tray from side to side so that the marbles mix with the paint and create art!  Remember, the trick is to control your movements and coordinate both arms to keep the marbles in the tray!

Enjoy!

Mess-Free Shaving Cream

OT Activity of the Day:

Shaving cream!

Target Age Range: 1 and up

This is such a great activity for children of all ages and parents are sure to love it as well.  It's shaving cream and food coloring, without any of the mess!  

All you need to do is grab a large ziploc bag, some shaving cream, and some food coloring.  First spray some shaving cream in the bag and add some food coloring (I added two colors, however you can just add one).  The next part is very important to keep it mess free, before closing the bag try and carefully squeeze out any extra air, this will keep the possibility of an unexpected "pop" to a minimum.  Last, but surely not least, hand the bag to your child to play with.  Your child will love the way the color spreads through the shaving cream.

For the much younger children you can simply give them the bag or place the bag the floor and have them use their hands or feet to spread the color.  For the older kids you can tape the bag to the wall, like I did in this picture, and give your child a paint brush to focus on tool use and shoulder stability as they spread the color. 

Enjoy!

It's Clothespin Time!

OT Activity of the Day:

Feed the Monster

Target Age Range: 3 and up

The green monster is back!  Last time we saw him, he was enjoying poms that were fed to him by tongs.  Today he is loving these pipe cleaner worms!  Grab a pair of scissors, cut up some pipe cleaners, and grab a clothespin or two and you're set!  The added challenge of using the clothespins to feed the monster works those little muscles in those hands.  This activity is great for those kids who struggle to keep up with fine motor tasks.

Enjoy!

It's a Jungle Out There!

OT Activity of the Day:

Homemade Jungle

Target Age Range: 2 and up

We've been doing a lot of sit down crafts lately and today we are feeling like we need to get up and MOVE!  This is such a fun activity and can be done by children of all ages.  To create your jungle, all you need to do is gather random objects from around the house.  They could be pillows, chairs, couch cushions, blankets, or anything else that is not easily broken.  Next you set up the objects all the around the room much like I did here with my pillows, cones and chairs.  Finally you can challenge your child to walk through the jungle without touching anything.  Be creative and say that the objects are trees that are covered in snakes, or poison ivy, or something else that your child wouldn't want to touch.  Another challenge would be to see how many different ways your child can complete the jungle.

This activity targets your child's ability to be aware of their body.  This is a great activity for those children who appear to be more clumsy and are often bumping into others.  This activity also targets your child's ability to motor plan or problem solve as they pick their way through the maze carefully and in different ways. 

I also threw in the hippity hop as an added challenge.  Not only can they maneuver their body but  can they keep tabs on the hippity hop as well?  Enjoy!

It's GOLD

OT Activity of the Day:

Gold Medal

Target Age Range: 2 and up

Gold medals for all!  Today we're continuing with our Olympic theme and using our fine motor skills for the win.  This activity can be scaled up or down depending on the age and skill level of your child.  For the younger kiddos you can have the medal pre-cut and they can practice using markers, stickers, or glitter to decorate their medal.  This will give your child a chance to hone in on their fine motor manipulation skills. 

For the older kiddos you can have them first cut out their medals before decorating and they can then use the hole punch to make a hole in the medal for the string.  This is a great way to work on improving their scissor skills and hand strength.  Add an element of writing and have your child describe their medal or talk about what sport they would win their medal in and why.

All you need are scissors, a hole puncher, string, markers, stickers, and anything else you may want to use. Enjoy!

The Olympic Torch!

OT Activity of the Day:

Olympic Torch

Target Age Range: 2 and up

It's hard not to get sucked into the Olympic spirit.  So today we're making Olympic torches.  This activity can be scaled up or down very easily.  For the younger children you can have the torch part pre-cut and the work can be primarily on ripping the paper for the flame (paper ripping being a pre-cursor skill to cutting).  For the older kids they can cut, rip paper, and even draw other details, a fine motor dream.  As always, you can add an element of writing at the end and discuss your child's favorite sport or what they would do if they won a medal.

All you need are scissors, paper, glue, and crayons.

Enjoy!

Coffee Filter Butterfly

OT Activity of the Day:

Coffee Filter Butterfly

Target Age Range: 2 and up

This is a quick, yet fun, fine motor activity.  All you need is a round coffee filter, a pipe cleaner or clothespin, markers, and a squirt bottle.  First you flatten the coffee filter out and decorate with the markers any way you please.  Next is the fun part, take the coffee filter outside and spray it with water.  As the coffee filter becomes wet, the colors start to have a tie-dye effect, it's fun to watch.  Then bring the coffee filter back inside and let it dry for a minute or two. Lastly, grab your pipe cleaner, or clothespin, and pinch the middle together so that you can make the antenna! 

Want added fun?  Create a simple obstacle course around the house, or outside, to take the butterfly through.  You can always add an element of writing and have your child either describe their butterfly or create a story based on their butterfly.

This craft focuses on fine motor manipulation, tool use, and hand strength.  Enjoy!

It's a fish!

OT Activity of the Day:

Paper Fish

Target Age Range: 4 and up

An ideal OT activity targets several skill sets all at once: crayon or maker use, scissors, using two hands together, movement, and writing.  This activity includes all the above.  

For this activity you'll need: construction paper, scissors, markers or crayons, and a pencil.  First cut a long strip of paper, then bring the ends together and cut small slits on the opposing sides so that you can hook the two ends together.  Next, unhook the two ends so that you can use the crayons or markers to decorate the fish.  Lastly, put the fish together and cut out small triangles for the tails.  

For those kiddos that are older you can always have the child create a small story about their fish or describe their fish in a few sentences to add some writing.  If you want to provide your child with some movement and work on simple sequencing you can always set up a small obstacle course that your child can take the fish through.  The options are endless!

Enjoy!

Homemade Sling Shot

OT Activity of the Day:

Homemade Sling Shot

Target Age Range: 3 and up

I saw this on Pinterest and wanted to make this ASAP.  I've already used it a few times and it definitely works;).  Here's what you'll need for 1 sling shot: 1 plastic cup, 1 balloon, scissors, and either a pom or a ping pong ball.  First you cut off the bottom part of the cup as well a small top portion of the balloon.  Then cover the cut portion of the cup with some sort of tape to protect your hands from the sharp, jagged edges (I used painters tape).  After that you stretch the cut balloon out and over the top of the cup and you have a homemade sling shot!

This activity allows your child to use their hands together in a coordinated fashion in order to use the sling shot.  Bilateral coordination is essential for appropriate scissor skills and writing and this is a great way to practice that skill set.  Depending on how involved your child is in making the sling shot they will be working on fine motor manipulation and scissor skills as well.  Decorate the cup with markers and add more fine motor work to the mix!

Enjoy!  

Red Solo Cup Fun

OT Activity of the Day:

Body bowling

Target Age Range: 4 and up

I would say that most kids love to bowl and, in general, build towers and knock them over.  Why not combine the two ideas?!  Here I've used red solo cups and built a large tower.  Now I can have a child lay on their bellies, or sit, on the scooter board to scoot into the tower and knock it over.

This can focus on development in so many ways.  Building the tower out of solo cups can be tough and will require your child to use their upper body stability and light touch to build the tower carefully.  As your child self propels and scoots the scooter board towards the tower they are focusing on improving their postural and trunk muscles, both necessary for a proper seated position in a chair.  And, ff you would like, you can build two towers and have your child copy your tower which will focus on improving those visual motor skills.

Enjoy!

Kerplunk!

OT Activity of the Day:

Home Made Kerplunk

Target Age Range: 4 and Up

Continuing on the theme of using old toilet paper rolls, I made a home made kerplunk game!  All you need is an empty toilet paper roll, a hole puncher, some pipe cleaners and marbles.   

This is a great way to work on upper limb stability and smooth controlled movements as you and your child carefully pull the pipe cleaners out without disturbing the marbles.  Setting up and creating the game is also a great fine motor activity. It's targeting hand strength, problem solving, and fine motor manipulation.  

Enjoy!

Blast Off to Fine Motor

OT Activity of the Day:

Rockets!

Target Age Range: 4 and up

3...2...1...Blast off!  Looking for a use for those empty paper towel and toilet paper rolls?  Look no further.  Grab some scissors, glue or tape, construction paper, stickers, markers, and just about anything else and you too can make a rocket.  While making this, I can attest to the fact that your child will be challenged to use their scissor skills, bilateral coordination abilities, and their fine motor manipulation skills.  All three areas are key for an appropriate handwriting foundation so the more fine tuned these skills, the easier writing will be!

Do you have a younger child who would like to make a rocket?  Eliminate the cutting and have pre made shapes all ready for the child to glue or tape on.  What about an older child?  Add an element of writing and talk about where the rocket will go on it's journey.  

Fun for all ages, enjoy! 

5 Minutes of Fine Motor

OT Activity of the Day:

5 Minutes of Fine Motor

Target Age Range: 4 and up

I know I've said this a million times, but fine motor strength and manipulation is so important for those little hands and fingers.  The movements of your child's hands will be responsible for helping them write, button, tie their shoes, zip up their coat, open containers, and so much more. 

Here is a 5 minute fine motor challenge designed to move those fingers and strengthen up their hand: move the orange pom from start to finish while following the path.  I actually had a lot of fun making this and completing this task this morning, so I hope you and your child will as well!

Enjoy!

We Need More Space!

OT Activity of the Day:

Popsicle spacing tool

Target Age Range: 5 and up

When I'm assessing a child's handwriting, I'm looking at a few factors: letter placement, letter formation, letter sizing and spacing between words to name a few.  However, I've noticed over the years that the letters can be any size and floating all over the space, but if there is a space between the words, then it's more likely you'll be able to decipher the sentence.

There are so many ways to ensure that your child is spacing between words, and one fun way to do this is to create a spacer!  A spacer is any object that a child can place in between words to ensure that there is adequate space.  To make your own, grab a popsicle stick, decorate in any way you would like (a little fine motor work;)), and ta-da, you have a spacer that your child can bring to school and keep with them.  

Enjoy!

Paint, markers, dot markers, oh my!

OT Activity of the Day:

Decorate a telescope or binoculars

Target Age Range: 3 and up

Today is supposed to be a scorcher in the Washington, DC area.  If you're looking for an inside activity to keep your kids out of the heat, look no more!  Grab an empty paper towel roll (future telescope) or empty toilet paper rolls (future binoculars) and you can have hours of fun!

First you need to decorate, just grab whatever is available, it could be crayons, markers, paint, dot markers, etc...  I've tried to put stickers on a paper towel roll before, which was less than successful, however feel free to try it for yourself!

After you decorate your telescope or binoculars, your child can become an explorer (writing down all their finds throughout the day), a pirate (create a pirate ship!), or even just play "Eye Spy".  A great way to work on fine motor skills, ideation, and cooperative play while staying cool.

Enjoy!