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.

415 activities for school-age kids

Penny Pencil PushesMonster Lace-Up BootsHeavy Ruler Cargo LiftSilver Trap Button Rescue

Fine motor activities for school-age kids

Holding crayons, pinching, buttons, and scissors

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Penny Pencil PushesAges 6+Penny Pencil PushesDistal Finger ControlEye-Hand CoordinationWritingYou'll need: Coins · Crayons · Masking Tape · Paper · PencilMonster Lace-Up BootsAges 6+Monster Lace-Up BootsActivities of daily living (ADL)Eye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlYou'll need: Cardboard · Crayons · Hole Puncher · Pencil · Ribbon · Scissors · YarnHeavy Ruler Cargo LiftAges 6+Heavy Ruler Cargo LiftConcentrationForce GradingProprioceptionYou'll need: Bean Bag · Clothespins · Index Cards · Ruler · StringSilver Trap Button RescueAges 3+Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · TweezersStocking Marble Zone TrapAges 3+Stocking Marble Zone TrapBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationFinger StrengthYou'll need: Clothespins · Marbles · Markers · StockingsFloating Balloon AnchorAges 3+Floating Balloon AnchorBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer GraspYou'll need: Balloon · Bucket · Paper Clips · String · Water

Movement and coordination activities for school-age kids

Balance, strength, and using both sides of the body

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Silver Trap Button RescueAges 3+Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · TweezersProne Balloon Target BopAges 3+Prone Balloon Target BopCore StrengthEye-Hand CoordinationShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Balloon · Butcher Paper · Markers · Masking TapeStocking Marble Zone TrapAges 3+Stocking Marble Zone TrapBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationFinger StrengthYou'll need: Clothespins · Marbles · Markers · StockingsFloating Balloon AnchorAges 3+Floating Balloon AnchorBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer GraspYou'll need: Balloon · Bucket · Paper Clips · String · WaterRibbon-Linked Clip PathAges 3+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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Heavy Ruler Cargo LiftAges 6+Heavy Ruler Cargo LiftConcentrationForce GradingProprioceptionYou'll need: Bean Bag · Clothespins · Index Cards · Ruler · StringShiny 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 · WaterBalloon Tongs CatchAges 3+Balloon Tongs CatchEye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlProprioceptionYou'll need: Balloon · Basket · TongsBalancing Cardboard BirdAges 6+Balancing Cardboard BirdBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationProprioceptionYou'll need: Cardboard · Coins · Markers · Masking Tape · Scissors

Visual motor activities for school-age kids

Watching, tracking, and eye-hand teamwork

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Penny Pencil PushesAges 6+Penny Pencil PushesDistal Finger ControlEye-Hand CoordinationWritingYou'll need: Coins · Crayons · Masking Tape · Paper · PencilMonster Lace-Up BootsAges 6+Monster Lace-Up BootsActivities of daily living (ADL)Eye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlYou'll need: Cardboard · Crayons · Hole Puncher · Pencil · Ribbon · Scissors · YarnSilver Trap Button RescueAges 3+Silver Trap Button RescueBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer ControlYou'll need: Aluminum Foil · Bowl · Buttons · Masking Tape · Pencil · TweezersProne Balloon Target BopAges 3+Prone Balloon Target BopCore StrengthEye-Hand CoordinationShoulder StrengthYou'll need: Balloon · Butcher Paper · Markers · Masking TapeStocking Marble Zone TrapAges 3+Stocking Marble Zone TrapBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationFinger StrengthYou'll need: Clothespins · Marbles · Markers · StockingsFloating Balloon AnchorAges 3+Floating Balloon AnchorBilateral Hand UseEye-Hand CoordinationPincer GraspYou'll need: Balloon · Bucket · Paper Clips · String · Water

Focus and regulation activities for school-age kids

Planning, focus, steps in order, and staying calm

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Heavy Ruler Cargo LiftAges 6+Heavy Ruler Cargo LiftConcentrationForce GradingProprioceptionYou'll need: Bean Bag · Clothespins · Index Cards · Ruler · StringRibbon-Linked Clip PathAges 3+Ribbon-Linked Clip PathBilateral Hand UsePincer GraspSequencingYou'll need: Clothespins · Markers · Masking Tape · Paper Plate · Ribbon · ScissorsPaper Plate Time TellerAges 6+Paper Plate Time TellerBilateral Hand UseSequencingVisual MotorYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Paper Clips · Paper Plate · ScissorsRainbow Tissue WindmillAges 3+Rainbow Tissue WindmillBilateral Hand UsePincer ControlSequencingYou'll need: Beads · Masking Tape · Pencil · Pipe Cleaners · Scissors · Straws · Tissue PaperGrowing Newspaper TreeAges 3+Growing Newspaper TreeBilateral Hand UseCuttingSequencingYou'll need: Masking Tape · Newspaper · ScissorsCardboard Box Pinball GoalAges 3+Cardboard Box Pinball GoalExecutive FunctioningEye-Hand CoordinationMotor PlanningYou'll need: Cardboard · Markers · Masking Tape · Ping Pong Ball · Scissors · Shoe Box · Straws

Handwriting and self-care activities for school-age kids

Cutting, writing, eating, and self-care

See all 79
Penny Pencil PushesAges 6+Penny Pencil PushesDistal Finger ControlEye-Hand CoordinationWritingYou'll need: Coins · Crayons · Masking Tape · Paper · PencilMonster Lace-Up BootsAges 6+Monster Lace-Up BootsActivities of daily living (ADL)Eye-Hand CoordinationFine Motor ControlYou'll need: Cardboard · Crayons · Hole Puncher · Pencil · Ribbon · Scissors · YarnPincer Mask MakerAges 3+Pincer Mask MakerCuttingPincer GraspVisual MotorYou'll need: Beans · Glue · Paper Bag · Scissors · SequinsBlooming Paper Water LilyAges 3+Blooming Paper Water LilyCuttingFine Motor ControlVisual MotorYou'll need: Aluminum Foil Pan · Construction Paper · Markers · Scissors · WaterGrowing Newspaper TreeAges 3+Growing Newspaper TreeBilateral Hand UseCuttingSequencingYou'll need: Masking Tape · Newspaper · ScissorsPool Noodle Dinner PrepAges 3+Pool Noodle Dinner PrepBilateral Hand UseGraspSelf Help (Feeding)You'll need: Knife · Paper Plate · Pool Noodle

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)