These favorite OT tools are fun and affordable! Plus, their endless use possibilities make them the perfect gift for kids of all ages and abilities.
- Use them as stress balls
Squish and squeeze them to feel a unique hand massage. Some of them even have additional features such as spikes or strands that multiply sensory possibilities.
> Promotes: Fine motor skills, Tactile input, Stress relief
- Play “Basketball”
Toss them into the air to reach a target. Make it a competition and count points if you wish or let your child go their own path!
> Promotes: Gross motor skills, Concentration, Hand eye coordination
- Carnival Game
Build a simple board using cardboard or plastic cups, making openings of various sizes and scores. Ask your child to reach certain openings and make them count their own scores for an added math practice!
> Promotes: Hand eye coordination, Logic skills
- Group Play
Throw a ball into the air and have playmates catch it for hours of fun.
> Promotes: Socialization, Gross motor skills, Hand eye coordination
- Group Play, Upside down
Same as above except you all lie down and pass it along with your feet!
> Promotes: Socialization, Balance
- Paint!
Use sensory balls as brushes to create an original painting activity with your child.
> Promotes: Fine motor skills, Creativity
- Decorate them
Give your child WASHABLE markers and ask them to decorate a ball as they wish, then wash it off and repeat indefinitely.
> Promotes: Fine motor skills, Creativity
- Use them as massagers
Roll sensory balls under your feet or on your back for a calming sensation!
> Promotes: Tactile input, Stress relief
- Play the equilibrist
Simply try to let a ball hold on your head, back or knee as long as possible or do this while walking along a path.
> Promotes: Balance
- Cup Crash
Build a pyramid with plastic cups and try to crash as many as possible at once!
> Promotes: Gross motor skills, Stress relief
Susan N. Schriber Orloff, OTR/L, FAOTA is the author of the book Learning Re-Enabled, a guide for parents, teachers and therapists (featured by the National Education Association), as well as the CEO/Exec. Director of Children’s Special Services, LLC an occupational therapy service for children with developmental and learning delays in Atlanta, GA. She can be reached through her 
Special Needs Essentials Blog 