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OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are upon us and it’s time to start shopping for

OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are upon us and it’s time to start shopping for

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  The holidays are upon us and it’s time to start shopping for everyone on your list.  As you are shopping, you may want to purchase gifts that are not only fun but also have a therapeutic benefit.  This year, I decided to compile a list of fun games that address areas such as social interaction, problem solving, fine/visual motor and gross motor skills.  There is something for everyone in this list, and all items are easily found at Target or other retailers.  If you are interested, you can check out some of my previous gift guide suggestions here, here and here.  Let’s dive in!

Pop Up Pirate

  • Price: $14.99 at Target
  • Ages: 4 and up

This is a great game that works on turn-taking and fine/visual motor skills.  Kids take turns putting the pirate swords into the slots.  One of the slots activates the pirate to pop out of the barrel, which is always exciting for the kids to see.

 

OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

Perfection

  • Price: $21.99 at Target
  • Ages: 5 and up.  Small parts can be a choking hazard.

This is a great game to work on visual perceptual and motor skills to place the pieces into the correct shape.  The addition of the timer as well as the pop can potentially cause some stress, but you can always play without the timer until kids are ready for more.

OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

Twister

  • Price: 19.99 at Target
  • Ages: 6 and up

Twister is a fun way to work on gross motor skills such as strength, balance, coordination and motor planning.  The colored dots and spinner make it easy for many kids to follow along.  This is a great addition to any game collection!

OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

Simon

  • Price: $21.99 at Target
  • Ages: 8 and up

This game really challenges a child’s ability to attend and follow multistep directions.  The child is asked to repeat a pattern that get more challenging as time goes on.  There is also a travel version of this game that would be a great stocking stuffer!

OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

Melissa and Doug Burger Game

  • Price: $27.99 at Target
  • Ages: 4 and up, but younger children may enjoy with supervision

I stumbled upon this game at Target the other day and I think it’s a great option for younger children.  The pieces are large and soft.   Players choose picture cards and work to match the burger pieces to the cards, and can even play other gross motor games as well.  This could be a fun addition to your collection.

OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

Bop It

  • Price: $12.99 from Target
  • Ages: 8 and up, but younger children may enjoy with supervision

Bop It is a great option for older students.  There are three commands that kids need to follow in order to win. – ‘bop it, twist it, pull it!’.  This game works on following directions, motor planning and bilateral coordination.

OT-Approved Holiday Gift Ideas: Games Edition

Yeti in my Spaghetti

  • Price: $14.99 at Target

  • Ages: 4 and up

In this game, noodles are positioned in a bowl with the Yeti sitting on top.  Kids remove the noodles without allowing the Yeti to fall.  If the Yeti falls, you loose!  This is a fan favorite game which is great to work on turn taking and coordination skills.

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While this list is certainly not exhaustive, I hope it can give you some inspiration as you start your shopping.  What will you be buying this holiday season?  Drop a comment and let me know!

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