Physical Therapy Holiday Gift Ideas
The holiday season is upon us. We've compiled a list of great gifts you can get to help your kiddos meet their physical therapy goals.
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and has changed many things. One of the things it has changed for me is my family’s tradition to go Black Friday shopping for the holidays. We might not be able to go shopping together but we still have to-do-lists to finish!
As you start to think about holiday or birthdays or finally-this-year-is-over gifts, here are some ideas of games that our PT’s recommend. Whether you use these toys to continue working on physical therapy goals during the winter break or just to have fun with everyone at home, we hope you enjoy your holidays!
Balls $-$$
Weighted balls are great to build arm and leg strength or to practice future shot put competitions.
Lighter balls can be used to practice hand-eye coordination such as throwing overhand and underhand, catching, and kicking.
Toss and Catch Velcro Paddle game $
Another fun way to practice catching and throwing (with less running after balls).
Bikes $$-$$$
Bikes are great for balance, leg strength, and endurance. They are also a fun way for the whole family together to get some exercise.
Balance beam $$
Balance beams are great for practicing walking on a line or standing on one foot. Use it as part of a board game or to challenge everyone in the family to see who can do it the best.
Image from https://www.amazon.com/Best-Choice-Products-Medium-Density-Gymnastic/dp/B07XYG6VBS
Bowling set $-$$
Bowling is a great way to work specifically on underhand throwing.
Sturdy Birdy $-$$
This board game is a great way to practice imitating movements, standing on one foot, and your best bird imitation!
Image from https://boardgamegeek.com/image/2225154/sturdy-birdy
Twangled $-$$
This game is a great way to challenge your balance as you play with other friends and family!
Image from https://www.amazon.com/MindWare-MW-59386-Twangled-Board-Game/dp/B0794QVXXV
Fisher-Price: “Go Baby Go!” or “Play & Crawl” toys $-$$
These toys are great motivators to encourage your baby to crawl after them and catch them.
Dyna disc or stability discs $
Dyna discs are great for challenging your balance in standing, sitting, kneeling, jumping over, or jumping onto. Playing games like the “floor is lava” is a great way to work on balance and quickness.
Bosu ball or wobble boards $$-$$$
Wobble boards are a great way to work on balance, jumping, and your surfing skills!
Hula Hoops $
Hula hoops are a great way to work on coordination and core strength.
Scooter boards $-$$
Scooter boards are great to work on leg and arm strength depending on which one you use to move yourself forward to win the race! Just watch out for your fingers-don’t want to pinch them!
Hoberman Spheres $-$$
These folding balls are a fun way to practice catching, throwing, and squatting to bend down and pick them up. You can also work on jumping to throw them, or crawling through them like our friend here!
![We’ve loved seeing your stories roll in over the past couple weeks and wanted to share one of our own, thanks to therapists Lauren & Maya and their friend Tiffany. ❤️
Last week, OT Ms. Lauren and ST Ms. Maya accompanied Tiffany on a HUGE adventure, attending the Special Needs Camp of Kentucky for activities, friendship, and growth ? Headquartered in Bath County, SNCKI is free to attend, with nearly 100 campers enrolled this year! Ms. Lauren shared her thoughts with the HTP team when she got home: “The other campers welcomed [Tiffany] with open arms, and she made so many new friends…A space where 76 teens/adults with disabilities of all kinds were free to just be them and make those connections with each other while having tons of fun. We have had moments that were trickier to navigate, but we did it together.”
One of the nights was family and community night, featuring a group dance and a talent showcase. ?Lauren said, “The amount of love and support in the gym was out of this world. For her mom to see that, to know that we’ve got her girl no matter what, means more than any treatment code or note I could ever write. She is already asking when she gets to come back…and even told her mom to ‘buy a new house at camp’? If you are not already, follow Special Needs Connections of Kentucky, Inc on facebook. They are doing such AMAZING things for our community here and deserve so much support.” ? We couldn’t agree more!
Therapy isn’t about treatment codes, billable hours, documentation, or recertification. It’s about the meaningful moments and the love we pour into these children every single day. This is why Hogg Therapy exists—to give every child the opportunity to experience a meaningful, joyful life. ✨ Thank you, Lauren and Maya for your support both in and outside of the clinic and for sharing this story! ?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/747807719_18212073508337241_9129116297997701917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=XHWOHNKbqngQ7kNvwHBxO-E&_nc_oc=Ado6shBMUfaBbZ4ewjx0ivsZmxI_fDZ3qAY3DldBqXDoVKuwiNEucbVIUkydJ_cKjYc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=tmMyfCr378Iv_Aft0I3jYg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQGDVFuEfoEQVHEgbaA488GpRxUyYqQIz3mP49J3luHFJ4FMgtgD9ThkqrO7X9_C_5QES4483Mcu8g&oh=00_AQA0IGFjWY5AjnjQz_Us-AnR5TEAJE-ZyT4xxDkEHJ0ypQ&oe=6A6EB98A)
![We’re sharing an occupational therapy success story from OT Mrs. Abby today! ? Meet Grayson! When he first started occupational therapy, everyday life felt hard. He was experiencing significant picky eating, struggled with daily routines and transitions, and had a difficult time managing big emotions.
Since then, Grayson has put in so much hard work. Through OT, he has built confidence, strengthened his self-regulation skills, and learned to take on new and challenging tasks with courage. Every small step has added up to something truly amazing! One of the biggest reasons for Grayson’s success has been the incredible partnership with his parents. They fully embraced therapy beyond the clinic by consistently practicing strategies at home through his Home Exercise Program (HEP). Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to try new approaches have made all the difference.
Today, Grayson is trying new foods every week, navigating daily routines with greater independence, and enjoying more successful, joyful moments with his family. His growth is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined child, committed caregivers, and a supportive therapy team work together.
?Congratulations, Grayson! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we’re celebrating your amazing parents, too. Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork are inspiring! ?
[This story & all photos shared with parent permission ??] #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #feedingtherapy](https://scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/742695277_18211398901337241_3568386461214310976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=oR7_fz2gWMoQ7kNvwGnz8pQ&_nc_oc=AdqSMqOpbiDNBQw4xWhycD-xWb8DSLuKHZEUuqtSVv1Hc5rG4oCHYfewJ1ud8NCskWA&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=tmMyfCr378Iv_Aft0I3jYg&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQFfV3AddsrTYYTl5xAyDImzDnBtwWOzSOLjTkzgdhMVb3i0ofNEDjHUCwrdBgbhsFgW1cYIcKB4rQ&oh=00_AQDxl6J3tRCCp9l30gDYebPNmyUMsLuqEhcMhmAGBWETQg&oe=6A6ED04E)
