Kid’s Amazon Wish List

We’ve all heard the saying “It’s better to give than to receive.” And whether we want to believe it or not, there is actually some truth to this statement. I don’t mean to get nerdy, but research shows that giving literally changes your brain. Not only can these brain changes be seen in fancy studies involving MRI machines, but there is evidence that shows giving can heal you emotionally and physically. Dare I say that giving is needed for survival? That may be a stretch, but the bottom line is, it’s better to given than to receive.

I digressed on how rewarding, and healing, giving can be for us. Christmas is the quintessential time of year where giving is highlighted. If you are anything like me, then you really try to put some thought into the gifts you are giving. Although it can be tough to really make each gift worthwhile, a little bit of time and energy spent on each person on my list. What is “perfect” for one person, may not be “perfect” for the next person.

And if you are a parent, multiple that by 100. Each child has different wants and needs. This can depend on a lot of factors including age, gender, interest, hobbies, talents, and so forth and so on. In our line of work, it can be even trickier if a kid has some developmental delays or difficulty of some type. Because of this we (the child’s therapist) often get asked “What toys do you recommend I buy him for home?”

We are going to dive in and answer this question for all of you mamas, daddies, nanas, papas, aunties, or whatever you call yourself. After all, playing is our JOB! And if we can get you and your little one playing at home, then sign us up.

{Did I mention that we organized these toys on an Amazon List for you to conveniently do some online shopping??}

{Did I also mention that none of these toys involve screen time!?! And YES your kids will still consider them FUN!)

Whirly Squigz

This oh-so-simple toy is essentially a fidget spinner… but with a suction cup! This colorful toy is great for kids no matter the age. They can be stuck to a variety of surfaces, including a mirror, refrigerator, tabletop, and furniture. That means that you can stick these suckers (no pun intended) in whatever room you are in, while your child is entertained. As therapists, we love this toy for a variety of reasons. Not only does it help with hand-eye-coordination, but it is great at getting the child’s attention as they focus on the fun spinning. They are large enough for little hands to handle, but they are also great at working those little fingers individually. (And for those parents of kids who mouth everything, YES these Whirly Squigz are great teethers!)

Toy Shopping Cart

Ok. Let’s just take a moment to talk about how adorable this mini grocery cart is! I mean really, does it get any cuter? Other than its looks, this little cart is a great gift idea. It is on the pricier side, so this is a gift you may not buy on a whim. This shopping cart helps kids just learning to walk all the way up to those who have mastered it. It encourages kids to use their imagination while they fill their cart with “groceries” … even if they are just random objects around the house. And the best part of all? They will love pretending to be just like you!

Pet Vet

I can’t explain it, but this toy is so popular with the little ones! It is always a go-to toy week after week, and it never lets us down. The Pet Vet is a 4-door house that holds stuffed animals, as well as the tools that any good veterinarian would use. (A bigger version can be found here: Critter Clinic) This little vet will help work on color matching as well as fine motor skills as keys are need to open the crates. And as with any good toy, this Pet Vet stimulates imaginative play as kids evaluate, care for, and cure their stuffed pets. Watch how creative your child can be when they are given this toy!

Kinetic Sand

This wouldn’t be a therapeutic toy list if we didn’t have something on here that was MESSY! Our therapists seem to love any excuse to use this magic sand. And speaking from experience, it’s not just fun and relaxing for the kids… adults seem to enjoy it equally. Kinetic Sand is an excellent way to wake up the senses as kids can squeeze, drop, scoop, and dig. Kids will play with this for hours, so get ready. Pro Tip: pour the sand in a container that has a lid. Add different objects and tools in the container with the sand. This can include things such as a shovel, beads, cookie cutters, mini animals, etc. When the child is done playing with the sand, just put the lid back on the container and store until next time.

Lite-Brite

Here is a little throwback for you parents (and grandparents). Yes, the Lite-Brite is still around, and yes, it is still a lot of fun! Due to the small pieces, it is recommended for slightly older kids. This toy is fantastic at working on those fine motor (finger) skills and hand-eye-coordination. It also encourages good attention as kids have to focus to complete a picture. If the child follows the given picture templates, it helps them learn to imitate a model and follow directions. Have a child that doesn’t want to stick to the script? No worries, because the Lite-Brite is an excellent way for kids to express themselves creatively!

This is just a summary of some of our favorites. But there is more where that came from! Check out our Amazon Wish List that has been curated by our pediatric therapists. These are toys that we frequently use in therapy sessions, but they are also common enough that you can find them on Amazon.

So if it really is better to give than to receive, then make sure you are giving the good stuff!

References:

https://www.livescience.com/52936-need-to-give-boosted-by-brain-science-and-evolution.html