Ages 6+

OT activities for school-age kids

School-age kids can follow multi-step activities, games with rules, and projects that take more precision. These activities support handwriting, hand strength, visual motor skills, and body awareness, and many work as quick warm-ups before homework or as movement breaks in class.Each activity notes how long it takes and how to make it easier or harder.

413 activities for school-age kids

The Silver Trap Button RescueThe Prone Balloon Target BopThe Stocking Marble Zone TrapThe Floating Balloon Anchor

Fine motor activities for school-age kids

Holding crayons, pinching, buttons, and scissors

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The Silver Trap Button RescueAges 3+The Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · TweezersThe Stocking Marble Zone TrapAges 3+The Stocking Marble Zone TrapBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationFinger StrengthYou'll need: Clothespins · Marbles · Markers · StockingsThe Floating Balloon AnchorAges 3+The Floating Balloon AnchorBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer GraspYou'll need: Balloon · Bucket · Paper Clips · String · WaterThe Ribbon-Linked Clip PathAges 3+The Ribbon-Linked Clip PathBilateral Hand UsePincer GraspSequencingYou'll need: Clothespins · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Plate · Ribbon · ScissorsThe Pincer Mask MakerAges 3+The Pincer Mask MakerCuttingPincer GraspVisual MotorYou'll need: Beans · Glue · Paper Bag · Scissors · SequinsBottle Labyrinth Ball SqueezeAges 3+Bottle Labyrinth Ball SqueezeEye-Hand CoordinationGraspVisual TrackingYou'll need: Bottle · Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Ping Pong Ball · Scissors · Straws

Movement and coordination activities for school-age kids

Balance, strength, and using both sides of the body

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The Silver Trap Button RescueAges 3+The Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · TweezersThe Prone Balloon Target BopAges 3+The Prone Balloon Target BopCore StrengthEye-Hand CoordinationShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Balloon · Butcher Paper · Markers · Masking TapeThe Stocking Marble Zone TrapAges 3+The Stocking Marble Zone TrapBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationFinger StrengthYou'll need: Clothespins · Marbles · Markers · StockingsThe Floating Balloon AnchorAges 3+The Floating Balloon AnchorBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer GraspYou'll need: Balloon · Bucket · Paper Clips · String · WaterThe Ribbon-Linked Clip PathAges 3+The Ribbon-Linked Clip PathBilateral Hand UsePincer GraspSequencingYou'll need: Clothespins · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Plate · Ribbon · ScissorsRainbow Ribbon Wall WeaveAges 3+Rainbow Ribbon Wall WeaveBilateral Hand UseMotor PlanningShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Ribbon · Scissors

Sensory activities for school-age kids

Touch, movement, sounds, and body signals

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Shiny Shape Impression MatchAges 3+Shiny Shape Impression MatchStereognosisTactile PerceptionVisual PerceptionYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Basket · Buttons · Cardboard · Masking TapeStyrofoam Bolt BuilderAges 6+Styrofoam Bolt BuilderBilateral Hand UseHand DexterityStereognosisYou'll need: Blocks · Markers · Nuts and Bolts · Pencil · StyrofoamSensory Balloon Squeeze PairsAges 3+Sensory Balloon Squeeze PairsProprioceptionSensory ProcessingTactile PerceptionYou'll need: Balloon · Beans · Bowl · Oats · Rice · WaterThe Balloon Tongs CatchAges 3+The Balloon Tongs CatchEye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlProprioceptionYou'll need: Balloon · Basket · TongsThe Balancing Cardboard BirdAges 6+The Balancing Cardboard BirdBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Cardboard · Coins · Markers · Masking Tape · ScissorsThe Space Station Balloon SqueezeAges 3+The Space Station Balloon SqueezeBody AwarenessMotor PlanningProprioceptionYou'll need: Balloon · Boxes

Visual motor activities for school-age kids

Watching, tracking, and eye-hand teamwork

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The Silver Trap Button RescueAges 3+The Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · TweezersThe Prone Balloon Target BopAges 3+The Prone Balloon Target BopCore StrengthEye-Hand CoordinationShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Balloon · Butcher Paper · Markers · Masking TapeThe Stocking Marble Zone TrapAges 3+The Stocking Marble Zone TrapBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationFinger StrengthYou'll need: Clothespins · Marbles · Markers · StockingsThe Floating Balloon AnchorAges 3+The Floating Balloon AnchorBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer GraspYou'll need: Balloon · Bucket · Paper Clips · String · WaterThe Pincer Mask MakerAges 3+The Pincer Mask MakerCuttingPincer GraspVisual MotorYou'll need: Beans · Glue · Paper Bag · Scissors · SequinsBottle Labyrinth Ball SqueezeAges 3+Bottle Labyrinth Ball SqueezeEye-Hand CoordinationGraspVisual TrackingYou'll need: Bottle · Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Ping Pong Ball · Scissors · Straws

Focus and regulation activities for school-age kids

Planning, focus, steps in order, and staying calm

See all 39
The Ribbon-Linked Clip PathAges 3+The Ribbon-Linked Clip PathBilateral Hand UsePincer GraspSequencingYou'll need: Clothespins · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Plate · Ribbon · ScissorsThe Paper Plate Time TellerAges 6+The Paper Plate Time TellerBilateral Hand UseSequencingVisual MotorYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Paper Clips · Paper Plate · ScissorsThe Rainbow Tissue WindmillAges 3+The Rainbow Tissue WindmillBilateral Hand UsePincer ControlSequencingYou'll need: Beads · Masking Tape · Pencil · Pipe Cleaners · Scissors · Straws · Tissue PaperThe Growing Newspaper TreeAges 3+The Growing Newspaper TreeBilateral Hand UseCuttingSequencingYou'll need: Masking Tape · Newspaper · ScissorsThe Cardboard Box Pinball GoalAges 3+The Cardboard Box Pinball GoalExecutive FunctioningEye-Hand CoordinationMotor PlanningYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Ping Pong Ball · Scissors · Shoe Box · StrawsThe Button Logic GridAges 3+The Button Logic GridExecutive FunctioningPincer GraspVisual PerceptionYou'll need: Buttons · Cardboard · Markers

Handwriting and self-care activities for school-age kids

Cutting, writing, eating, and self-care

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The Pincer Mask MakerAges 3+The Pincer Mask MakerCuttingPincer GraspVisual MotorYou'll need: Beans · Glue · Paper Bag · Scissors · SequinsThe Blooming Paper Water LilyAges 3+The Blooming Paper Water LilyCuttingFine Motor ControlVisual MotorYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Construction Paper · Markers · Scissors · WaterThe Growing Newspaper TreeAges 3+The Growing Newspaper TreeBilateral Hand UseCuttingSequencingYou'll need: Masking Tape · Newspaper · ScissorsThe Pool Noodle Dinner PrepAges 3+The Pool Noodle Dinner PrepBilateral Hand UseGraspSelf Help (Feeding)You'll need: Knife · Paper Plate · Pool NoodleThe Hanger Puppet ParadeAges 3+The Hanger Puppet ParadeCrossing MidlineCuttingPincer GraspYou'll need: Clothespins · Construction Paper · Hanger · Markers · Scissors · YarnBalloon Haircut DayAges 3+Balloon Haircut DayBilateral Hand UseCuttingProximal StabilityYou'll need: Balloon · Markers · Masking Tape · Scissors · Yarn

Questions parents ask

What OT activities help with handwriting?

Handwriting draws on hand strength, a steady pencil grip, and the eyes and hands working together. Warm-ups like putty play, clothespin games, and mazes can make writing feel easier. Look for activities tagged Writing, Tripod Grasp, and Visual Motor.

How can I fit OT activities into a busy school week?

Short activities work well before homework or as movement breaks. Five to ten minutes of heavy work or a quick fine motor game can help many kids settle into seated work.

When should I ask about an OT evaluation?

If handwriting, scissors, dressing, or sensory experiences feel much harder for your child than they would like, ask your pediatrician or school team about an occupational therapy evaluation.

Browse other ages

Toddlers (1 to 3)Preschoolers (3 to 5)