The holiday season is here, and with it comes the joy of finding the perfect gifts for the little ones in your life. But with so many options out there, how do you choose toys that are not only fun but also support your child’s growth and development?
As a pediatric occupational therapist, I know how powerful play can be in building skills like coordination, sensory regulation, and problem-solving. That’s why I’ve created this holiday gift guide—filled with ideas for toys and tools that inspire creativity, build confidence, and make learning feel like play.
Whether you’re shopping for toddlers, preschoolers, or older kids, you’ll find thoughtful, OT-approved suggestions to make your holiday gifting both meaningful and magical!
Shop by Skill Development:
Fine motor skills involve the coordination of muscles in the hands and fingers. Look for toys that involve squeezing, grasping, pinching, and manipulating. Strengthening these muscles supports activities like writing, buttoning, and self-feeding!
Gross motor activities strengthen large muscle groups, promote balance, and increase body awareness. These gifts encourage movement, which can be especially helpful for children with high energy levels or sensory needs.
For kids who seek or avoid sensory input, toys that offer controlled sensory experiences are essential. Sensory-friendly toys can support self-regulation, focus, and calming.
Toys that encourage cooperative play, turn-taking, and following social rules help children build social skills. They’re ideal for working on patience, communication, and empathy.
These toys encourage planning, memory, problem-solving, and organization. They’re great for kids who enjoy challenges and benefit from practicing focus and decision-making.
For younger children or those with language delays, toys that encourage verbal interaction and vocabulary expansion are excellent for both language and writing development.
