Therapist Favorites: Guide to OT Toys, Tools, and Product Recommendations
Whether you're building a baby shower registry, prepping for an upcoming birthday party, shopping for the holidays, or looking for practical ways to keep kids engaged during summer vacation, there seem to be endless times where you need that go-to gift or purchase. The goal is to get that magic product that doesn't take up a ton of space, keeps the kids engaged, doesn't require too much setup, and works on skill. With so many options at your fingertips, it should be easy! Unfortunately that many options can be just the problem.
As pediatric occupational therapists, we evaluate toys through a unique lens. We look for items that inspire active problem-solving, build hand and core strength, support sensory regulation, and hold a child's interest over time. As parents, we get the desire to make sure what you're getting is worth the hype. Our product recommendations are aimed to take the guesswork out of your next shopping trip. We've organized all of our clinical favorites into curated, OT-approved Amazon lists!
Tale a look at what we regularly recommend in our clinic:
Fine Motor Favorites
Strong hands, refined finger isolation, and good hand-eye coordination are the building blocks for everyday tasks like holding a pencil, using scissors, buttoning a shirt, and managing food containers. When building fine motor strength through play, we look for items that require pinch strength, bilateral integration (using both hands together), and precise control.
A few clinic favorites include:
Tweezer & Tongs Games: Excellent for developing the strength and hand separation needed for a mature pencil grasp.
Stickers: Provides great repetition and practice of pincer grasp and bilateral coordination as the children have to stabilize the paper to remove the stickers
Threaded & Lacing Toys: Good for building bilateral coordination and visual-motor integration.
Browse our full Fine Motor & Hand Strength List on Linktree.
Sensory Regulation
Promoting a regulating environment is vital for helping kids calm their nervous systems and move through their day with confidence and ease. Movement and heavy work can be especially organizing and grounding for children who get overstimulated or need help focusing.
A few clinic favorites include:
Nugget Play Couch: Great for supporting motor planning, coordination, and balance while providing regulating sensory input
Sensory Lights: Provides calming visual input that can support transitions to slower moving activities and routines like bedtime
Compression & Body Socks: Perfect for quiet, self-regulating input that supports body awareness
Explore our complete Sensory & Regulation List on Linktree.
Infant (0-12 month) Development
The first couple years of life are full of massive developmental milestones. Babies grow up quickly and it feels like a new skill is developing every time you look. We're focusing on toys and tools that will stand the test of time and support the foundational skills needed for lifelong development.
A few clinic favorites include:
High-Contrast Cards & Mirrors: Essential for encouraging tummy time, head control, and early visual scanning.
Stacking Cups: Fantastic for teaching spatial awareness, grasp patterns, and bilateral coordination skills.
Wrist and Foot Rattles: Supports the flexor strength needed for rolling and postural development with a fun, multisensory component.
Check out our Infant Development Recommendations on Linktree.
Feeding & Oral Motor
Development of strong oral motor and feeding skills is essential for a strong, positive relationship with food across the lifespan. We have a whole list dedicated to tools and supplies that will be sure to set your little one up for success.
A few clinic favorites include:
Bubbles: Bubbles are a great way to support the respiration and lip control needed for successful feeding.
Jiggler: Vibration is a powerful tool to support oral motor awareness and control. These Jigglers are fun shaped to increase the child's motivation to use.
Honey Bear Straw Cups: Your early feeder will benefit from these cups that support drinking from a straw. They have an adjustable straw and are squeezable, which makes them easy to fade support as your child gets more capable.
Check out our Feeding & Oral Motor Recommendations on Linktree.
Ready to Explore All Our Recommendations?
We update our lists regularly as we discover new favorites and seasonal activities in our practice.
You can browse all of our organized toy, tool, and equipment recommendations in one central place:
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