Occupational Therapy Sensory Toys for School-Age Children (2024)
Occupational therapy sensory toys should be used for all school-age children. Use easy strategies at home or in the classroom to provide a variety of sensory input that increases focus, attention, and behavior.
My favorite part of being a pediatric occupational therapist is helping adults find appropriate activities for children to foster their brain development. The sensory systems are the foundation for a child’s development, as shown in the Pyramid of Learning.
It’s so important to provide kids with a variety of sensory activities for ALL of the sensory systems during play, daily routines, and learning activities.
It supports sensory integration in all children. Every child has the capacity for change. They all need rich sensory experiences every day.
With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose what’s best. I’m here to help you!
[Important Note: you will not find high tech toys and apps, they’re not good for growing brains! You’ll find fun sensory products and occupational therapy tools instead!]
Affiliate links are used. See below for more information.
Occupational Therapy Sensory Toys: Vestibular (Movement) Input
School-age children need movement every day to stimulate their vestibular system. They need movement breaks approximately every 20 minutes and they need to participate in 20-30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily.
Vestibular system input directs the rest of the nervous system. It increases alertness, focus, and attention. And it enhance emotional well being and is a fun way to improve memory and learning!
For more movement activities, check out the following posts:
- 81 Outdoor Games for Recess & Sensory Activities for Kids
- 61 Fun GM Acts for Elem Indoor Recess
- 30 Fun Movement Activities and Ideas for Elem Kids
Below you will find 24 top recommended vestibular toys and games for school-age children from this pediatric occupational therapist.
Occupational Therapy Sensory Toys: Proprioceptive (Muscle and Body) Input
Occupational therapists LOVE proprioceptive input! The proprioceptive system gives input to the muscles and joints. It helps improve body awareness and gives feedback for motor skill development.
Proprioceptive activities include heavy work activities, joint compression activities, and deep pressure activities. They are all a great way to help organize a child’s nervous system. They help calm kids and also increase focus and attention at the same time.
- Sensory Deep Pressure Tools and Activities to Calm Kids
- Best Flexible Seating for the Classroom – OT & Kid Approved
- Weight Bearing Exercises for Kids, Easy & Fun OT Activities
- 25 Proprioceptive Brain Breaks for Kids That Improve Focus (FREE Handout)
Below are 18 top recommended occupational therapy proprioceptive toys and games for kids.
(The floor spotters listed are great for jumping on. Follow the alphabet sequence or position numbers to count in sequence, by two’s or by five’s.)
Occupational Therapy Tactile Sensory Toys
School age children continue to need manipulatives during learning. Check out some fun games, projects, and tactile activities listed in the following blog posts:
- Simple DIY Math Manipulatives for Your Elementary Classroom
- Tactile Learning Activity: Unique Hands On Ideas
- Easy Educational Art Projects for Kids in Elementary School
- 107+ Easy OT Hand Strengthening Activities & Games for Kids
Below are 24 examples of ways to incorporate tactile system input into learning, or during play and downtime. There are so many cool sensory tools to use in school or at home. I did not include many fidget tools in this section since they’re rather easy to find and typically child-specific.
Visual Sensory Toys for School-Age Children
Children use their eyes for visual scanning and visual perceptual skills all day long during school and during play. The visual system should be provided with appropriate stimulation.
Outdoor time is important to help with overall visual development.
Screens should be limited as much as possible (click the link for recommendations and alternatives.)
Additionally, here are some blog posts with additional visual skills activities for school children.
- 15+ Important Occupational Therapy Visual Skills Activities
- 42 Easy Visual Perceptual Activities That Enhance Learning
- An Easy Visual Motor Activity for Kids Using Magnets
- Super Simple Fine Motor Activity With Construction Paper
Below are 21 visual toys and activities for school age children for learning and play, or a combination of both!
Auditory Sensory Toys for School-Age Children
Auditory sensory toys help improve listening and following direction skills as well as reading skills.
The post Simple Auditory Activities to Improve Learning and Reading shares fun games and activities to use in the classroom to help kids process auditory input.
In addition to these ideas, audiobooks and audio stories can be found on Amazon’s Audible Plus. You can start with a free trial or membership.
Below are 15 toys and games to stimulate the auditory system.
I hope this was a useful guide in helping you find the right sensory toys for your kids. Share this page with other parents or educators to help guide more adults. Add some of my favorite occupational therapy toys to your wish lists during the holiday season for gift ideas, to your purchase order at work, or to your classroom Amazon wish lists.
Additional Brain Boosting Activities and Games for School-Age Children
- Best Educational Toys and Games for Kids 5-10+ – These toys and games are categorized under different skill areas: 1) Best Learning Toys and Games to Improve Visual Perception, Strategy, and Cognitive Skills, 2) Toys and Games to Improve Auditory, Visual Memory and Hand-Eye Coordination, and 3) Toys and Games for Gross Motor Skills, Hand-Eye Coordination and Visual Motor Skills
- 93 Best Toys for Fine Motor Skills – My favorite games and toys to help develop hand strength and other fine motor skills.
- Oral Sensory Activities Proven to Wake Kids’ Brains – The mouth provides extremely organizing sensory input for children. Check out the different types of tools and activities to increase attention and focus in kids.
Use these specific occupational therapy exercises to improve:
Attention… focus… core stability… crossing midline… sensory processing… visual development… & more… Click for more info!
Handwriting and Fine Motor Skill Development Resources for School-Age Children
For more information on writing, fine motor skills, and cutting, check out these articles:
- 33 Sensory Preschool and Kindergarten Writing Activities
- Teach Kids to Form Letters Properly with 9 Helpful Tips
- Dexterity in the Hands: 43 In-Hand Manipulation Activities & Games to Improve Handwriting
- Improve Scissor Skills (With Worksheets for Cutting Practice)
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