20 OT-Approved Gift Ideas to Support Your Child’s Development

From the Occupational Therapists at Innovative Therapy Center

The holiday season is the perfect time to choose gifts that are fun and support your child’s developmental needs. Whether you're looking to strengthen fine motor skills, encourage sensory exploration, or build confidence in daily activities, our OT team has put together a list of 20 expert-approved gift ideas for children of all ages and ability levels.

These items are not only engaging—they're purposeful, developmentally supportive, and aligned with the therapeutic approaches we use every day at Innovative Therapy Center.

👌 Fine Motor Strengthening & Coordination

1. TheraPutty or Play-Doh Builds hand strength, coordination, and grip development while providing calming sensory input.

2. Bingo Dotters (Do-A-Dot Markers) Supports finger isolation, pre-writing patterns, attention, and precision.

3. Lacing Cards or Bead Stringing Kits Perfect for practicing pincer grasp, bilateral coordination, and early dressing skills.

4. Sticker Books or Reusable Sticker Pads Encourage scanning, pincer grasp, creativity, and finger strength.

5. Tongs/Tweezer Pickup Games Strengthens small hand muscles needed for handwriting and utensil use.

🧩 Visual-Motor & Cognitive Development

6. Puzzles (animals, letters, multi-step) Promotes spatial awareness, attention, problem-solving, and coordination.

7. Marble Run Sets Great for sequencing, visual tracking, cause-and-effect, and STEM learning.

🌈 Sensory Regulation & Calming Tools

8. Weighted Blanket Provides deep pressure support for calming, attention, and body awareness. Ask an OT for safe weight guidelines.

9. Sensory Fidget Toys & Pop-Its Ideal for self-regulation, focus, and tactile exploration.

10. Sensory Swings Beneficial for vestibular input, body awareness, calming, and attention.

11. Sensory Bins (rice kits, kinetic sand, water beads) Encourage tactile exploration, imaginative play, and hand strengthening. Make your own and change it up!

12. Chewelry / Oral Motor Chew Tools Supports oral sensory needs and reduces chewing on clothing or toys.

⚽ Proprioceptive Input

13. Rocket Launchers / Stomp Rockets Great for whole-body coordination, balance, and motor planning.

14. Mini Trampolines with Handles Provides excellent proprioceptive input and supports regulation.

15. Obstacle Course Sets (stepping stones, tunnels, balance beams) Encourages core strength, coordination, and problem solving.

16. Therapy Balls/Bouncy Toys Supports core strength, balance, posture, and calming movement.

📚 Learning, Communication & Daily Life Skills

17. Pretend Play Sets (kitchen, doctor kit, tool set) Build sequencing, social skills, imagination, and functional play.

18. Visual Timers Improve transitions, independence, and daily routine success.

19. Pencil Grips Support proper grasp patterns for writing and school success.

20. Visual Schedule Make daily routines easier with a visual support. You can create your own too!

🎁 Choose Purposeful Gifts This Holiday Season

The best gifts are ones your child will enjoy and that support their growth. If you’re unsure which items best fit your child’s goals, the therapists at Innovative Therapy Center are always happy to help guide your selection.

Looking for more support this season?👉 Contact us at 330-595-9059 or visit www.innovativetherapycenter.com

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