Bean Bag - OTPlan

The Stocking Bean Bag Rescue

OTPlan — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:41:41 +0000

This activity is a fun way to build hand strength using a simple household item. By pushing the bean bag through the stocking, your child works on their pincer grasp. This is the same grip they will eventually use to hold a pencil correctly. The fabric provides gentle resistance, which helps the tiny muscles in their hands grow stronger. It also encourages them to use both hands together in a coordinated way. They have to feel the bean bag through the cloth, which sharpens their sense of touch. This hidden movement is great for developing body awareness and focus. It is simple, quiet, and perfect for a quick brain break!

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The Heavy Balloon Balance Walk

OTPlan — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:39:35 +0000

This activity challenges your child's balance and ability to keep their body steady. Balancing a weighted bean bag on a light balloon requires constant tiny adjustments. It helps build core strength and body awareness. Your child will learn how to move their arms and legs together. This is great for kids who need to practice slowing down and focusing on their movements.

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The Tongs and Tower Reach

OTPlan — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:26:35 +0000

This game is great for helping kids feel steady on their feet while moving. When a child stands on a step stool and reaches down, they are working on their balance and core strength. Using tongs to pick up a bean bag adds a fun challenge for their hands and eyes. It teaches them how to control their body while focusing on a specific goal. This is a perfect way to build confidence in their physical skills.

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Heavy Anchor Cup Clip

OTPlan — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 19:38:46 +0000

This activity works the important hand and core muscles. Clipping clothespins requires strong finger effort. The heavy bean bag provides excellent proprioceptive feedback. It acts as a stable anchor for the clipping challenge. Holding the bag steady builds proximal stability. This allows the small finger muscles to work precisely. Clipping the light cups to the soft, resistant bag improves eye-hand coordination and motor planning. It is a fantastic way to prepare hands for cutting and writing.

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Weighted Reel Rescue

OTPlan — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 23:28:58 +0000

This activity focuses on building strength and coordination in the forearm and wrist. Turning the stick to reel in the weight requires constant forearm rotation (supination and pronation) against resistance. This rotary motion is crucial for self-help skills like opening jars or turning door knobs. Holding the base steady with the non-dominant hand promotes proximal stability and bilateral hand use. The constant pull of the heavy bean bag gives the child great proprioceptive (heavy work) input, which can be very grounding and organizing for their body.

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Guess the Toy

Danielle Noriega — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 18:06:49 +0000

This activity promotes stereognosis (identifying an object through touch instead of vision), visual perception, and tactile input. This activity bridges the connection in our brains between what we see and what we physically feel. We use these skills for tasks, such as efficiently locating items in our backpacks without looking.

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Basket Sock for Eye-Hand Coordination

OTPlan — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 21:20:53 +0000

This activity works on promoting eye-hand coordination necessary for activities such as catching a ball or copying from the blackboard. In addition, the child is working on stability and shoulder strengthening through the activation of the arm.

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Wheelbarrow Walking

OTPlan — Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:15:46 +0000

This activity works on trunk strengthening and proprioception by having the child wheelbarrow walk and complete simple tasks.

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Balance on the Web

OTPlan — Fri, 17 May 2019 21:54:11 +0000

In this activity, the child will promote motor planning skills, as he plans his route on the spider web. In addition, he will strengthen his balance skills and his core, while walking on the web lines and squatting down to pick up objects

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Toss it Catch it

OTPlan — Fri, 17 May 2019 21:35:09 +0000

The activity is designed for children as young as 2 years old and works on eye-hand coordination and the development of large motor skills. In addition, this activity requires team work and direct interaction between the child and the therapist/caregiver.

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