Snow is in the air, and the giving season is upon us. This week I teamed up with TuscBDD Starlight School’s Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Farrah Raines, to get an idea of some fun and unique toys that offer sensory input. This list was compiled by: Farrah Raines, BS,COTA/L. Click yellow boxes to link to websites. 

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Movement 

#1 Door Pong: The goal is to hit the ball back to your opponent every time without missing - But more than a game, Door Pong is a fascinating, skill-strengthening activity to enjoy with a friend. It enhances hand-eye coordination, concentration, reflexes, cooperation, and more. $24.95 +$2.10 tax and $3.99 shipping

#2 SwipeShot:  Pulling, swinging, swiping, and bashing - Kids must use the wrecking ball to try and knock down all of his or her opponent's cups first. Encourages active play, gross motor skills, coordination, strategy, quick thinking, fast reflexes. $19.95 & FREE Shipping

       

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Deep pressure

#3 Space Explorers: Allow children and young adults to jump, crawl, and pretend while improving sensory integration. This fun suit helps children develop spatial and body awareness, muscle strength, motor planning and creativity. Price $30.99 - $43.99

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Visual, auditory, and Olfactory (smell)

#4 Fairy House Room Diffuser: Using the included sticker sheets, kids can decorate this unique-looking room diffuser to make it look like a beautiful fairy house. Then, fill the diffuser with the included lavender scented oil and switch it on. Soothing lights glow from within while clouds of calming smells spread throughout the room. $17.23 & FREE Shipping

#5 Rockin’ Light Up Guitar: Sized just right for little rockers and featuring two volume levels (for playing both small clubs and packed arenas), the Rocking' Light up Guitar really is an ideal introduction to the thrills of music-making. Encourages fine motor skills, coordination, music skills, cause-effect learning, imaginative play. $15.59 & FREE Shipping.

#6 Whirly Squigz: Stick them to any smooth, flat, non-porous surface - like a bathtub wall, a tabletop, or a window - give them a spin, and... WHOOSH! - Around and around they go, faster than the eye can see! Sensory exploration spins in a new direction with Whirly Squigz. Price: $21.95

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Tactile (Textured)

#7 Melissa & Doug Monster Bowling: Children make gains in concentration, hand/eye coordination, gross motor abilities, sensory awareness through various textured pins, motor planning, and visual tracking as children’s eyes follow the path of the moving ball. The colorful monsters reinforce cause and effect, taking turns, and friendly interactions. Children learn colors, they practice counting pins that fall, and they count the bowling pins as they stand them up again. As educational play, Monster Bowling scores a strike every time! Price $16.99

#8 Brain Food Putty: Squish it as flat as possible. Stretch it as wide as your arms can go. Squeeze it and watch as it oozes between your fingers. Sculpt it into all kinds of wild, mind-bending shapes. Builds hand strength & improves fine motor skills and Provides relaxation; reduces stress and anxiety. Price $8.95

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 Fine Motor

#9 Spin Again: This visually stimulating toy will keep your little ones enthralled as they practice their hand-eye coordination and engineering skills! $29.95 & FREE Shipping

#10 Gears! Gears! Gears! Lights & Action Building Set: Glow in the dark pieces snap together easily and pull apart so kids can build anything they imagine. Sized right for small hands, vivid toy gears encourage fine motor skills, creativity and problem solving. There is no wrong way to build. Price $28.49

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TuscBDD Starlight School’s Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Farrah Raines, BS,COTA/L

Kerri Silverthorn Thu, Dec 6th, 2018