Therapy is an essential part of helping children develop critical skills, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Many parents worry about purchasing specialised equipment for therapy, but the truth is, that you likely already have effective tools at home. Whether your child is receiving Online Occupational Therapy for Kids, speech therapy online, or working with an occupational therapist online, there are plenty of ways to enhance their progress using everyday household items.
Here, we’ll explore how common household objects can be used to support your child’s therapy in engaging and meaningful ways.
Household Items to Enhance Online Occupational Therapy for Kids
Occupational therapy (OT) focuses on improving fine and gross motor skills, sensory processing, and daily life skills. If your child is engaged in online occupational therapy for kids, here are some creative ways to use common items for practice:
- Playdough for Hand Strength and Dexterity
Playdough is a fantastic tool for building hand strength, improving dexterity, and enhancing sensory experiences. Your child can roll, pinch, and squeeze the dough to build fine motor control, which is essential for writing, buttoning clothes, and using utensils.
DIY Tip: If you don’t have play dough, you can make your own using flour, salt, water, and a bit of oil. Add food colouring for extra sensory stimulation.
- Clothes Pegs for Finger Strength
Clothes pegs (clothespins) are excellent for improving finger strength and coordination. Ask your child to clip them onto a piece of cardboard or paper. This helps develop the pincer grasp, which is important for handwriting and fine motor control.
- Rice, Beans, or Pasta for Sensory Play
Filling a container with rice, beans, or pasta creates a sensory bin that can be used to improve tactile processing and fine motor skills. Children can dig through the bin, search for hidden objects, or practise pouring and scooping.
Activity Idea: Hide small objects in the bin and encourage your child to find them using only their fingers, helping to build sensory awareness and coordination.
- Kitchen Tongs for Hand Strength
Tongs or tweezers can be used to pick up small objects like cotton balls or buttons. This activity strengthens hand muscles and improves coordination, making it a great addition to online occupational therapy sessions.
- Masking Tape for Gross Motor Skills
Use masking tape to create lines or shapes on the floor for jumping, balancing, or hopping exercises. These activities help improve coordination and motor planning, which are essential for daily tasks like dressing and climbing stairs.
Everyday Tools for Speech Therapy Online
If your child is receiving speech therapy online, you don’t need expensive tools to reinforce their learning. Many household items can help enhance their communication and articulation skills.
- Mirrors for Speech Sound Awareness
A simple mirror allows children to see their mouth movements while practising speech sounds. This helps them understand how to position their tongue, lips, and jaw for clearer speech.
- Straws for Oral Motor Strength
Drinking through a straw helps strengthen the muscles needed for speech clarity. Have your child blow bubbles in water or sip thick liquids like smoothies to build oral motor control.
- Books for Vocabulary and Comprehension
Reading aloud is one of the best ways to build vocabulary, sentence structure, and comprehension skills. Pause while reading to ask questions or encourage your child to predict what happens next.
- Plastic Cups for Sound Games
Use cups to create a “telephone” by connecting them with string, encouraging your child to practise their speech in a fun and interactive way.
- Musical Instruments for Listening Skills
Simple instruments like a tambourine or homemade shakers help with auditory processing. Ask your child to follow rhythms or repeat beats to improve their listening and processing skills.
General Household Activities to Support Therapy
Many day-to-day activities can support a child’s therapy goals, whether they are working with an occupational therapist online or receiving speech therapy online.
- Cooking and Baking for Multi-Sensory Learning
Measuring, stirring, and rolling dough all support fine motor skills, sensory processing, and following instructions.
- Gardening for Coordination and Sensory Exploration
Digging in the soil, planting seeds, and watering plants help develop motor skills while offering sensory-rich experiences.
- Bath Time for Relaxation and Sensory Play
Using sponges, cups, and floating toys in the bath can help with sensory processing, fine motor skills, and speech development.
- DIY Obstacle Course for Gross Motor Development
Use pillows, chairs, and blankets to create an indoor obstacle course, encouraging balance, coordination, and motor planning.
- Household Chores for Independence and Strength
Tasks like wiping surfaces, folding clothes, or carrying light grocery bags help build strength, coordination, and independence.
Making Therapy Accessible and Fun
Therapy should be engaging, accessible, and tailored to your child’s needs. Whether your child is receiving Online Occupational Therapy for Kids, speech therapy online, or working with an occupational therapist online, incorporating household items into therapy sessions can make learning fun and effective.
By using everyday objects creatively, you can reinforce therapy goals in a way that fits naturally into your child’s routine. These simple tools not only enhance progress but also empower parents to take an active role in their child’s development.
