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The Inspired Treehouse

Growing healthy bodies and minds through play!

Move to the Menu Spinner: A Thanksgiving Movement Break for Kids

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The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving can be exciting AND overwhelming for kids. Schedules get shaken up, energy runs high, and bodies that have been sitting for too long start to crave some movement. A quick, fun movement break can be just the thing to burn off some of that energy and help everyone settle back in. One of our longtime favorite holiday games is Move to the Menu, where kids act out the foods on a Thanksgiving dinner plate. We’ve given it a fresh update with some brand-new foods, and turned the whole menu into an interactive spinner you can use right here on this page. Scroll ... Read More about Move to the Menu Spinner: A Thanksgiving Movement Break for Kids

Self-Regulation Spinner

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Some kids need a small, quiet way to settle their bodies without leaving their seat or drawing attention to themselves. That’s exactly what our Quiet Focus Self-Regulation Reset was made for, and now you can use it as an interactive spinner right here on this page. In our post, How to Use Visuals for Self-Regulation, we talked about why visual prompts help so much when a child’s nervous system is overloaded and words just aren’t landing. The spinner below takes that same idea and adds a little novelty and play, which is often exactly what a kid needs to get on board. Why Quiet Focus ... Read More about Self-Regulation Spinner

Spider Web Maze Fine Motor Activity

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Get ready for some creepy-crawly fun! This spider web maze turns prewriting practice into a game kids will want to play again and again. With a spider ring and a dry erase marker, your little one gets to guide a spider across the web to reach his friend at the end of the maze. As a pediatric OT, I love activities that sneak in skill-building while kids are busy having fun. Plus some seasonal cuteness? Don't mind if I do.This one checks every box. It's quick to prep, reusable, and easy to adjust for different ages and skill levels. It's perfect for fall, Halloween, therapy sessions, ... Read More about Spider Web Maze Fine Motor Activity

Positive Discipline: 10 Ways to Stop Taking Recess Away

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Today, we're here to make the case for recess!  Learn 10 positive discipline strategies that are alternatives to removing recess as punishment for negative behavior. By now, most of you know that we’re big advocates of free play, movement, and sensory motor exploration here at The Inspired Treehouse.  Sometimes it’s disheartening to see how infrequently kids are able to get up and move during the school day when our training and experience as therapists tells us that movement and sensory exploration are the very foundation of healthy development and learning. As much as we love ... Read More about Positive Discipline: 10 Ways to Stop Taking Recess Away

Hungry Caterpillar Sensory & Fine Motor Bin

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If you're looking for a simple activity that combines sensory play, fine motor practice, and imaginative play, this Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Bin is a perfect choice! Kids will love searching for colorful foods and "feeding" them to their hungry caterpillar while strengthening important developmental skills.This activity is easy to set up, uses inexpensive materials, and can be adapted for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, therapy sessions, classrooms, or play at home.One of the best things about sensory bins is that they naturally encourage kids to explore with their hands while ... Read More about Hungry Caterpillar Sensory & Fine Motor Bin

Free Occupational Therapy Poster!

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Looking for a simple way to celebrate Occupational Therapy Month while also adding something meaningful to your therapy space? We’ve got you covered with this free occupational therapy poster! We created a free Occupational Therapy poster that highlights the heart of what we do as therapists, in a clean, modern design you’ll want to display! Whether you’re decorating your clinic, therapy room, classroom, or even a home workspace, this printable is an easy way to showcase the value of occupational therapy in a way that feels both professional and inviting.Occupational therapy is so much ... Read More about Free Occupational Therapy Poster!

Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt – FREE Printable Activity

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Looking for a simple spring activity that gets kids moving and builds important developmental skills? This Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt is the perfect mix of movement, visual tracking, and problem-solving, all wrapped up in a fun, engaging game kids LOVE. With just a set of colorful, printable eggs and a printable checklist, you have an easy activity that works in therapy sessions, classrooms, or at home 🥚Why Try an Egg Scavenger Hunt?Scavenger hunts are one of our favorite ways to combine movement with skill-building. Kids stay engaged because they have a clear goal, and a little bit of ... Read More about Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt – FREE Printable Activity

Bunny Hop Jumping Activity for Kids (Spring Movement Game!)

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This fun spring-themed jumping activity is the perfect way to get kids moving while building important motor skills like coordination, balance, and motor planning! Once kids learn how to jump, they want to do it ALL the time—and we love using that motivation to sneak in meaningful skill-building through play. Jumping helps strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and support overall body control.This Bunny Hop Pattern Game takes things to the next level by adding a visual motor planning challenge…with adorable bunny feet that you can print and use right away!This activity is especially ... Read More about Bunny Hop Jumping Activity for Kids (Spring Movement Game!)

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