Check out some of our favorite sensory bins that are easy to clean and change out to avoid spreading germs! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. An integral part of our in-person playgroups at our non-profit, The Treehouse, is the sensory bin. Each week, we create a unique sensory play experience that welcomes kids into the space at the start of their playgroup. This sensory bin provides an opportunity for socialization, peer cooperation, self-regulation, conflict resolution and the obvious fine and sensory motor skill building. Typically, we stock a large plastic container ... Read More about Easy to Sanitize Sensory Bins!
Free Printable Emotional Regulation Activity
Use this free printable emotional regulation activity to help kids identify and label their own emotions and others' emotions. So many of the kids we see in our therapy practices and classrooms have difficulty with self-regulation and emotional regulation. This free printable is a great place to start when working with kids on identifying their own emotions and identifying situations that can cause different feelings. What you'll need: -Laminator -Yarn or string -Beads -Free printable (fill out the form below) What to do: 1 - Laminate the free printable page. 2 - ... Read More about Free Printable Emotional Regulation Activity
Animal-Themed Games for Physical Therapy (Virtual or In-Person!)
I haven’t met a kid yet that doesn’t love some kind of animal. Some are on the cautious side and love kittens and puppies and others lean toward the exhibits at the zoo where they can peer through glass at king cobras and giant lizards. Personally, I am a kitten and puppy kind of girl! The animal theme is one of our favorite weeks at our non-profit, The Treehouse. It is a week full of activities that have kids moving like animals, following directions to the sounds of their favorite animals and even creating some amazing colorful peacocks with coffee filters and markers or ferocious ... Read More about Animal-Themed Games for Physical Therapy (Virtual or In-Person!)
Gross Motor Digital Interactive Games for Kids
These digital interactive games for kids are the perfect way to get kids engaged with gross motor skills like core strength, balance, coordination and more! Over the past several weeks, many of us have faced the challenge of transitioning from direct in-person therapy sessions to virtual therapy or distance learning formats. No doubt about it, this has been a tough learning curve for most of us. But there have been a few tools that we’ve created that have made the job a lot easier (and more fun)! Our occupational and physical therapy home program activities are the perfect place to start ... Read More about Gross Motor Digital Interactive Games for Kids
Teaching Kids How to Catch a Ball & Throw
Try these fun tips for teaching kids how to catch a ball! If you have ever watched a toddler try desperately to toss a ball into the air and catch it, you know that it can be a frustrating phase of development. Then, that one day, when they finally figure it out, their smile will be priceless and the photo opportunity can’t be missed. As toddlers grow into preschoolers, their hand-eye coordination improves along with their reflexes and ball skills gradually progress from roll and trap to toss and catch. It all begins with babies and the game of cause and effect. They will giggle as ... Read More about Teaching Kids How to Catch a Ball & Throw
Free Postcard Templates for Kids
These free postcard templates for kids are a great way to practice handwriting and coloring! We're definitely feeling the pressure of this extended time at home and I've been reminding my kids daily that one of the best ways we can keep ourselves busy and bring a little brightness to our lives right now is by reaching out to the people we love and miss who we can't see in person right now. I've been trying to write a note, send a text, or make a phone call every single day to stay connected to friends and family. And I really wanted to encourage my kids to do the same thing, ... Read More about Free Postcard Templates for Kids
Easy Activities for Kids: No Fancy Supplies Needed!
These easy activities for kids are perfect for families who have limited technology and limited materials on hand. In recent weeks, most therapy bloggers have been talking a lot about telehealth physical therapy and occupational therapy. We've been sharing our best therapy home program activities and providing lots of free printable activities like our Springtime Writing Prompts and our Letter and Number Identification Roadmaps. We even created an awesome Pirate-Themed Interactive Digital Movement Game - perfect for teletherapy and home programs! But something that hasn't been ... Read More about Easy Activities for Kids: No Fancy Supplies Needed!
Springtime Writing Activities and Prompts for Kids
If you're looking for fun springtime writing activities for kids, these free printable writing prompts are for you! There are so many kids who struggle with handwriting skills and most of those kids aren't thrilled when you ask them to sit down and practice skills like letter formation, sizing, spacing, and alignment. Whether they struggle with hand strength, visual motor skills, visual perception, or some other aspect of handwriting, kids often aren't interested in practicing these skills when they present such a big challenge. One way to make it a little more fun? Colorful and ... Read More about Springtime Writing Activities and Prompts for Kids