Christmas Gifts That Keep on Giving

December 12th, 2018Julia MasonActivities & Ideas, Motor Skills, Play & Socialising

Can you believe it’s the time of year again? Soon the shops will be packed with keen Christmas shoppers as you attempt to cross people off your present list. Sometimes coming up with the gift idea is harder than dealing with the busy shops!

Well, we’ve come to your rescue. Here is a list of present ideas suitable for all ages which as OT’s we love for their developmental benefits. These are gifts that keep on giving. They inspire creativity and serve more than one purpose, allowing hours of play.

The Classics

Puzzles

Something for all ages. Puzzles support development of problem solving, critical thinking and visual processing skills. They come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. For something different, once your child has enjoyed the Christmas gift of course, you can use the puzzle pieces as a positive behaviour support strategy. If there is a behaviour you are working to improve, give a puzzle piece every time they do it.

Trampoline

A classic gift for good reason. Not only do children love trampolines, they are also a great source of vestibular and deep pressure input, which is calming and regulating. There are hours and hours of fun to be had whilst not even knowing they are working on building their gross motor skills like strength, endurance, coordination and balance.

Balance Bike/Scooter/Bike/Roller Blades

Choose depending on your child’s age and skill level. Another classic present which supports gross motor development in numerous ways and lays a concrete foundation of skills to get through difficult tasks in the future. Learning to ride a bike is one of the more complex motor skills a child develops, and is something that OT’s recommend children experience.

Books

We all know how important reading is for our children from infancy. It is a good aim to read a book a day to your children from an early age. Find something new to add to your collection this Christmas.

‘Where’s Wally?’ (or other search and find books)

A great way to support left right scanning techniques and visual perception skills. You know that moment of frustration you feel when you can’t find Wally… yes, a learning curve for regulation and resilience.

Lego

Lego, or Duplo for younger children, develops lots of skills including fine motor skills, problem solving and learning to follow and sequence instructions. Something to keep those hands busy during the school break, you’ll be amazed with the creations and designs they come up with.

Doll/Teddy

For boys and girls, doll or teddy play is a crucial developmental stage in pretend play.

Hopper Balls

You can use these on the trampoline for an intense deep pressure experience or create an obstacle course or maze to hop on and follow.

Swing set/Hammock

Swinging helps develop the vestibular sensory system and is very calming for the mind and body.

Totem Tennis

Supporting development of hand eye coordination, crossing mid line and bilateral coordination. It can strengthen independent play or encourage play with others.

Cricket Set/Basketball/Football

A great to way to encourage and support development of play skills and visual motor skills (hand eye coordination).

Board Games

Games such as Twister, Trouble, Guess Who or Jenga provide fun as a whole group and work on following rules, starting and ending a task and playing interactively.

Something Different

Water Sprinkler

There is nothing more delightful than watching the squeals of joy as children run through a sprinkler on a hot Australian summer’s day. Check out these from Bunnings. Remember to slip slop slap! www.bunnings.com.au/nylex-kids-hose-end-sprinkler-butterfly_p0074060

Giggle Wiggle/Scaterpillar Scramble

A great game where you use tweezers to place balls on the many arms of a dancing caterpillar. Such a fun way to work on fine motor skills.

Junior Pictionary

Drawing works on fine motor skills and ideation. Guessing works on visual processing and problem solving. Turn taking and patience are essential and team work helps to have fun.

Sphero Mini App-Enabled Robotic Ball

For those technology gurus. The sphero extends the use of electronics to programming the sphero to navigate courses.

Charades

A fun game which supports the development of cuing into body language in others and developing body awareness within yourself.

Move and Groove Game

Designed for toddlers, you roll a dice and then grab a picture card and imitate the movement. A fun way to build body awareness and gross motor skills. www.skillbuilders.com.au/shop/games/move-n-groove

Rush Hour Games

Another visual perceptual activity for older kids, also supporting problem solving skills. You move cars back and forth to navigate the ice cream truck getting out of the parking lot.

Pay Day

From the creators of monopoly, this game teaches the basics of money management and budgeting as you navigate the monthly expenses. A great way to start developing those life skills around money management.

Dig Your Own Minerals/Dinosaurs

Available from numerous stores, often linked with a factual book. Use your digging tools to search for dinosaur bones or crystals.

3D Maze Challenge

A 2-in-1 this game your child builds and then will have hours of fun trying to complete the maze. www.kmart.com.au/product/3d-maze-challenge/1920306

Stocking Fillers

Tangram Mini Puzzle
Water Snake
Mini/Travel Games
Bubbles
Skipping Rope
Yo Yo
Bouncy Balls
Skim Balls (bounce on water)
Paint with Water Books (available in most stores in colouring in books section)
Jumbo Chalk

There really is something for everyone, so make your Christmas present this year purposeful and engaging. We would love to know your great developmental Christmas present ideas, share in the comments below.

Disclaimer: Note this blog has been written with no affiliation or commission with referenced businesses and companies.