This is a recent purchase for me and I haven't had the chance to use it with clients yet because I've been on maternity leave BUT I will say that this is a great date night game for my husband and I! It works on fine motor skills and visual perceptual skills. There are a few different ways to play, so it can be easily graded depending on who is playing. Seriously, so much fun! 

This another game that routinely makes an appearance at date night with my husband. It's easy to learn (there's only one rule) but it does require visual perceptual skills which is required for things like writing and reading. The original version can have 2-4 players but if you're looking for just a two player version, check out Blokus Duo. 

Story cubes are a set of dice with pictures on them. The idea is to roll the nine dice and come up with a story based on the pictures. These are my go to tool when I'm working with a client who REALLY doesn't like to practice handwriting. They're a fun way to encourage creativity. This is the original set, but there are also Harry Potter, Action, Mystery, and Heroes options.  

Confession: I don't own these.. yet. But, I can see them having huge therapeutic value and they're on my (long) list of things to buy. I can see them being used as ice breakers in the classroom or as a conversation starter at supper time. You can never go wrong building social emotional skills. 

I use these for so many things! How many minutes until bedtime? Let's let the dice decide. How many more bites? Ask the dice. Should we hop like frogs or walk like bears? It's up to the dice. Using the dice lessens the parent-child discrepancy and turns it into a game. 

Hear me out - these need to be used in the right way or you will absolutely hate me. Buzzers are a great way to add motivation for certain tasks. In the clinic, we use them quite often at the end of obstacle courses. Kids love them! If you would prefer a set of buzzers that you can record, check these out. 

The Senseez vibrating cushion is another one of my tried and true tools for helping kiddos out. I recommend this tool for clients who have a hard time sitting still in class or during meals. It activates the core just enough to stop the wiggles and promote focus. It's been a game changer for some kids!

Spot it! was one of the first therapeutic games that I was introduced to when I first started working in paediatrics (thanks, Erin!) and I still use it to this day. It's tons of fun - my dad and I have had good laughs playing this game, but it's also great for kids who have difficulty with visual tracking. I will place the cards a few feet apart (horizontally or vertically) which forces the eyes to practice moving back and forth between objects. This can help with reading, writing and copying from the board - all skills that many of my clients struggle with. This is the original version, but there are options for Camping, Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars. You can read more of my thoughts on Spot It here.