occupational therapy activities

3 Occupational Therapy Activities That Focus on Sensory Play and Fine Motor Skills
3 Occupational Therapy Activities That Focus on Sensory Play and Fine Motor Skills 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

April has arrived, which means that it’s time to celebrate Occupational Therapy Month! Occupational therapists (OTs) are wonderful, and the work they do truly makes a positive impact on so many lives. That’s exactly why we wanted to shine a bright light on OTs and highlight the difference they make and the incredible work they do. Thank you, Occupational Therapists, for the kindness, care, and compassion that you bring – we appreciate everything that you do.

In honor of Occupational Therapy Month, we wanted to share 3 activities that we know you’re going to enjoy trying with your kiddos. These activities focus on sensory play and are wonderful for helping your child work on their fine motor skills, all while giving you the opportunity to enjoy some fun together as a family. From creating a spring-themed sensory bin to making a paper flower and more, here are 3 fantastic activities to try during Occupational Therapy Month.

1. Create a Spring-Themed Sensory Bin: Creating a spring-themed sensory bin is the perfect way to engage your child’s senses all while celebrating this wonderful season together. First, gather the supplies that you’ll need to make the sensory bin. We recommend dyeing rice green to resemble grass, adding plastic bugs for a nature-inspired touch, and including measuring cups, spoons, and fake plastic tweezers. Once your sensory bin is complete, ask your child to identify the colors of the bugs and count how many are in the bin, scoop and pour the grass into cups, and use the tweezers to transfer the bugs from one end of the bin to the other.

Bonus Tip: Bury small items in the rice and have your little one try to dig them out with a spoon.

2. Make a Paper Flower: Making paper flowers with your kiddos is an excellent way to work on their fine motor skills while letting their creativity bloom. To begin, grab a piece of paper and draw the outline of a flower with a pencil. Then, have your little one use child-safe scissors to carefully cut out the flower. Your child will now have to rip and tear off pieces of the tissue paper and glue it onto the flower. Keep going until most of the flower is covered, let your creation dry, and then hang it on the fridge for everyone to see.

Bonus Tip: Attach a popsicle stick to the back and ask your child to “plant” the flower in a cup of playdough or rice. 

3. Hopscotch: Our featured therapist for Occupational Therapy Month, Beckett, suggested using child-safe chalk during playtime. Chalk is very versatile during playtime, and one of our favorite ways to use chalk is to play hopscotch. This is a great way to incorporate a movement break into your child’s play routine. Work with your child to draw a colorful hopscotch board, and then take turns stepping, jumping, or hopping to each numbered space. Then, if you and your little one are up for it, try hopping from space to space backwards!

Bonus Tip: Keep the fun going by having your child draw fun designs and shapes on the hopscotch board.

Happy Occupational Therapy Month! Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all month long for tips, toys we love, resources, and more. Furthermore, please don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our kind and compassionate team is here to support you and your child in any way that we can.

Use Everyday Household Items During These Playful Occupational Therapy Activities
Use Everyday Household Items During These Playful Occupational Therapy Activities 1080 1080 PTN Chicago

Occupational therapy (OT) can be highly beneficial for your child. This is especially true if your little one faces sensory, cognitive, or physical challenges. OT is essential in helping your child learn and grow, which is why we look forward to celebrating Occupational Therapy Month each April. This month-long holiday provides the chance for us to share some helpful occupational therapy related tips, toys, resources, and activities. In honor of OT Month this year, we wanted to share some occupational therapy  activities that are fun and easy to do at home. The best part? These activities utilize items that you can find around your house! From constructing a sensory bin to making food necklaces and more. Here are some engaging, playful activities that use everyday items in inventive ways:

Make a Sensory Bin

Making a sensory bin from items around your house is an activity that your child is sure to love. They can help you decide what will go into the bin, and when the construction of the bin is complete, it’s sure to keep your kiddos entertained for a long time. One easy bin you can create is a “beach day bin.” Fill it with some brown sugar (sand), a bowl of water (the ocean), gummy bears (beachgoers), and some spoons (shovels). Your child will love pretending like they’re spending the day at the beach, and they can even shape and mold the brown sugar to create a brown sugar sandcastle!

Build a Blanket Fort and “Go Camping”

This activity is perfect for pretending like you’re camping in the wild in the comfort of your own home. Start by running around the house with your little one and collecting as many blankets as possible. Bring them into the living room, grab a few chairs, and make your fort! Help your child reach up high and tie the blankets onto the chairs, or tuck them into the couch cushions. Now, partake in some fun camping activities such as telling campfire stories, singing campfire songs, or consider even making some smores in the microwave!

Create Food Jewelry

One last OT-based activity you can try using items around your house is to create some delicious food jewelry. Find some string or yarn, and then gather food items that you can use to make your jewelry. Some ideas include noodles, round cereal, pretzels, or candy with a hole. Have your child carefully place each item onto their string one at a time, and then help them tie it to make a necklace or bracelet. When you’re all done, you and your little one can wear your jewelry and even sneak in a few bites!

Happy Occupational Therapy Month! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) for more occupational therapy tips, resources, and activities. If you’d like to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to support children and families in any way that we can.

Subscribe for free resources and news updates.

[contact-form-7 id=”169″]

Joing our Newsletter

Contact Us

Address:
38 Oatland Avenue Chicago, Illinois 283020

Tel: 0800 390 9292
E-mail: hello@movedo.com

All Rights Reserved ® Movedo 2018

"*" indicates required fields

Sign Me Up For The Newsletter!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

"*" indicates required fields

Sign Me Up For The Newsletter!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.