The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide!

 The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Building Thinking, Movement & Language Skills!

From the Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy & Speech Therapy Departments of Dymond Speech and Rehab.

The best gifts don’t just bring joy, they help kids grow! This holiday season, consider toys that support your child’s development in fun and meaningful ways. Our OT, PT, and ST teams have partnered to bring you a curated list of Clinic favorites used in our own sessions organized by the skills they support. These toys not only entertain, but help children strengthen executive functioning, motor skills, and communication… all through play.

 Speech Therapy Spotlight: Any Toy Can Be a Speech Toy!

You don’t need special toys to support language development—the magic is in the words you use while you play. Many of the toys recommended by OT and PT can double as amazing speech tools when paired with simple, intentional language modeling.

Here are easy ways to build speech and language at home:

Speech Therapy Tips: Simple Ways to Build Language Through Play

Use Playful Phrases
 Short, repetitive phrases help children understand and imitate language:

    • “My turn / Your turn”

    • “Ready, set, go!”

    • “More?” / “All done!”

    • “Open / close”

    • “Up / down”

Try Environmental Sounds
 These are often easier than full words:

    • Animal sounds (“moo,” “quack”)

    • Vehicle sounds (“vroom,” “beep beep”)

    • Action sounds (“uh-oh,” “pop,” “boom!”)

Add Pauses
 Model a phrase, then pause to let your child finish it:
 “Ready… set…”
 (pause)
 Child: “Go!”
 This boosts imitation, confidence, and expressive language.

Great Speech-Friendly Toys
 Any toy can support speech when paired with good language modeling, especially:

    • Cause-and-effect toys

    • Turn-taking games

    • Pretend play sets

    • Movement toys (“Ready set GO!” moments)

    • Storytelling games

With speech therapy, it’s not the toy that matters most, it’s how you play with it!

  OT Gift Guide: Toys That Strengthen Thinking, Planning & Self-Control

    
Great for Working Memory

Simon For players 8+ 

The classic pattern memory game is excellent for targeting focus attention and self control.


Great For Planning

Rush Hour For players 8+

This traffic-themed game encourages strategic planning, sequencing and perseverance as players problem-solve to get their car to the finish line. 

Great for Cognitive Flexibility

 Uno For Players 7+

Teaches flexible thinking and decision making while players adapt to ever changing numbers and colors. 

Great for Inhibition and Self-Control 

Jenga For Players 6+

Players practice patience and care as they maneuver the pieces while trying to maintain the structure. Requires emotional regulation. 


For Cognitive Flexibility

Blokus For Ages 7+

Players compete for space on the board while increasing skills in creativity and flexible thinking. 

For Focus and Attention

Spot It For Players 3+

Processing speed, focus and attention to detail are mastered in this quick moving game where players move quickly to match images. 

For Working Memory

Memory For Players 3+

This classic enhances short-term memory and attention as players recall card locations and learn pattern recognition.

For Sequencing and Problem Solving 

Robot Turtles For Players 4+

A coding-based board game that helps children plan step-by-step actions to achieve goals.

For Emotional Regulation 

Operation For Players 5+

This game requires steady hands and focus; mistakes lead to a “buzz,” helping kids manage frustration and refine fine motor control.

For Logical Reasoning 

Mastermind For Players 8+

Players use clues to crack a color code, developing reasoning, deduction, and persistence.
For Working Memory and Categorization

Guess Who For Players 6+

Players use memory and logic to eliminate characters through structured questioning.
For Cognitive Flexibility

Bananagrams For Players 7+

A fast-paced word game that strengthens organization, flexible thinking, and language skills.

For Time Management

Perfection For Players 5+

Players race against the timer to fit shapes into correct slots, practicing focus, speed, and managing pressure.

For Creativity and Sequencing 

Rory’s Story Cubes For Players 6+

Encourages storytelling, imagination, and mental flexibility as players connect random images into coherent stories.

For Sensory Regulation and Focus
Chewelry / Silicone Chew Necklaces For Ages 3+ (with supervision)

Provides oral sensory input that can help support self-regulation, focus, and calming. Great for children who seek oral input, chew on clothing or objects, or need sensory support during learning and transitions. Can also support speech and feeding goals by strengthening oral awareness when used appropriately.

  PT Gift Guide: Toys That Support Strength and Coordination.

Balance Beams & Stepping Stones

Walking along a balance beam strengthens core muscles, improves coordination, and encourages spatial awareness. Many sets are modular, letting children create their own obstacle courses.

Climbing Structures (Montessori Triangles, Soft Climbers)

Climbing promotes strength, coordination, and problem-solving. Triangles, ramps, or indoor climbing structures give kids the chance to explore safely while building confidence.

 Ride-On Toys & Bouncing Toys

Tricycles, balance bikes, scooters, and bouncy toys develop leg strength, coordination, and balance. Plus, they’re a great way to get outside and burn off energy.

Scooter Boards

These versatile toys help children practice core stability, upper body strength, and bilateral coordination. They’re also excellent for fun, cooperative games with friends.

Tunnels, Hurdles, Obstacle Course Kits

Crawling, jumping, and navigating through tunnels helps children with spatial awareness, motor planning, and bilateral coordination. Obstacle courses can be adapted for indoor or outdoor spaces.

Balls & Toss Games

Throwing, catching, and kicking balls strengthens arm and leg muscles, improves hand-eye coordination, and teaches timing and rhythm.

Bubble Machines or Outdoor Active Toys

Sometimes, the simplest toys inspire the most movement. Chasing bubbles, jumping over puddles, or running after a kite combines fun with fitness.