POTS Occupational Therapists’ Recommendations: 12 Toys for a Snowy Day

Chaye's Picks

• Tricky Fingers (ages 4+): Sit by the fire and cozy up! Poke your fingers through the holes to move the marbles and copy patterns that get progressively more challenging. This game can be played alone or with friends. Tricky Fingers sharpens proprioception in the fingers and boosts fine motor skills, visual perception, and executive function.

• Thomas’ Snowsuit by Robert Munsch: On snowy days, I like to snuggle under the covers and read to my grandchildren! My favorite author is Robert Munsch, whose kid heroes are always hilarious and a tad irreverent. One of my biggest treats was hearing him do reading for kids in Toronto in the 1990s.

Summary: Thomas refuses to wear his ugly brown snowsuit despite the pleas of his mother, his teacher, and even his principal. Thomas leaves them in weirdly dressed chaos, only to happily skip out when his friends ask him to play.

Ariela's Picks

• Sensory Body Sock: There are  many fun games to play with a body sock! Here are two:

1. Put on music and dance in the body sock. If you have two or more body socks choreograph a silly dance with a friend or sibling.  

2. Hold yoga poses for 5-10 seconds. 

The combination of pushing against the resistance of the Lycra and deep pressure to the skin enhances body awareness, and is oh so calming.

• Weighted Blanket: If you have not tried a weighted blanket yet, tis’ the season! The only thing more calming than a cozy blanket, is a cozy weighted blanket!

KB's Picks

• Noise Cancelling Headphones: While everyone is so busy making plans for skiing, sledding, and snowball fights, it is important to remember the value of just sitting and being. Try calming music in a bean bag for some quality downtime together. 

• Zipline Kids Modular Sofa: Turn on your imagination and build a fort! Use these modules plus blankets, sheets, and pillows, and spend some quality non-screen time with your child.

Leah's Picks

• Playskool Sit ‘n Spin: The Sit ‘n Spin gives children 18 months and older, the opportunity to keep moving while stuck inside on a cold snowy day. As children use their hands to rotate the Sit ‘n Spin they generate vestibular input to boost body awareness and their sense of body position in space, and have fun!!

• Snowball Maker Tool: The snowball maker makes playing in the snow even more fun while boosting bilateral coordination (using the hands together).

Sanam's Picks

• Break the Ice, Save the Penguin: Break the ice, but don’t let the penguin fall through! This game can be played alone or with friends/family and works on pressure gradation, eye-hand coordination, frustration tolerance, and turn-taking.

• Scooter Board: Movement and play is important on a snowy day. Use the scooter board to move yourself and stuffed animals/action figures/dolls to take a ride. There are many different ways to ride on the scooter board, including on your stomach, back, and sitting.

Asia's Picks

• Snow Fort Mold: Build snow forts in the winter from this large snow brick mold. Create giant structures and move these heavy blocks to have some fun while boosting self- regulation.

• Snow Tube: This toy is a great choice for a snowy day. Get outside and get moving with this inflatable sled. Have fun gliding through the snow, down hills, and spinning, you can even make it a race for the entire family.

For more recommendations from POTS therapists, visit our Amazon Storefront!