Great OT Uses for Everyday Items
Before placing something into the garbage that would typically go there, check out some of the great things you can make for your kids and what they would help work on. It takes a little bit of time and effort to make but can save you on money and save on some trips to the toy store. Check these ideas out.
Eye-spy bottle: Fill up your clear plastic water, juice or soda bottles with rice. Add small objects such as beads, elastic bands, paperclips, and anything else small that would be fun to find into the bottle with the rice. Leave an inch or two at the top so things have somewhere to move around and screw the cap back on tightly. You can make a list of the objects for your child to find and check off or just let them see how many they can find on their own. You can also fill them up with water, food coloring and add some objects that will float. Yes they will be able to see the objects but as they turn the bottle, the objects will move, as well as make bubbles for their eyes to track.
Tin-can telephone: Who remembers this one? Take two cans and use a smooth edge can opener if you have one. Punch a small hole in the bottom of each can and attach a string in between them. Teach your child how to talk into them and then hold it up to their ear to listen. You can work on some auditory games with them in a fun way this way.
Toilet paper roll maracas: Take your empty toilet paper rolls and fill them with different items that would make fun sounds (rice, beans, etc). Tape up the ends and then decorate them with fun colors and designs with your kids. They become a fun musical instrument that you can work with on during movement and positional play. "shake it over your head, shake it behind your back, while standing on one foot", etc.
Pom-Pom poppers: Take your paper cups and cut off the bottoms. Slide balloons over the bottom, tying the end you normally would to make something to pull. This makes a springy bottom of the cup. You can place pom-poms inside and pop them up just for fun or have the kids try to pop them into another container. This is a fun bilateral hand activity for the kids to play with.
Hope you enjoy this list of fun reusable's! I'm sure there are many other great ideas out there as well for your kids to enjoy or even create your own. Summer break is here and this is a great time to try some of these ideas, as well as your own, out!