The holidays are here, and at The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh, we believe gifts can be more than just fun – they can be opportunities for growth! Our team of skilled therapists has put together a special list of more than 30 gift ideas that do double duty: not only do they entertain kids, but they also help build key developmental skills, from fine motor control and coordination to logical thinking ability and communication.
Whether you’re shopping for your own child, a grandchild, a niece or nephew, or taking part in a holiday gift drive, these gifts offer something for every kid on your list. We’ve got options for all ages, so whether you're shopping for toddlers or pre-teens, you'll find something that will help them grow and thrive in a playful way!
Galaxy Glowing Slime: meets sensory needs, builds hand strength, encourages imaginative play
Climb & Crawl Blocks: develops gross motor skills and coordination, helps with spatial awareness
Pop Up Puppets: develops fine motor skills, meets sensory needs
Parent/Kid Journal: encourages communication and reciprocal sharing
Stretch Armstrong: increases hand and arm strength, encourages imaginative play
Pushpeel Activity Board: meets sensory needs, improves fine motor skills
Snack Sorting Mini Fridge: helps develop counting, sorting, and patterning skills
Critter Clinic: helps with labeling colors and common objects, and requesting help
What’s Inside? Box: encourages asking and answering questions, good for building anticipation during routines
Stepping Stones: improves balance and obstacle navigation
Alphabet Popsicles: develops letter identification, modeling and following directions
Zoomball: improves bilateral movement and hand-eye coordination
Daily Yearlong Journal: introduces thought and feeling identification
Foam Stacking Blocks: develops hand-eye coordination and improves concentration
DJECO Zig & Go Construction Set: develops cause and effect understanding and problem-solving skills
Wooden Rainbow Stacking Toy: improves fine motor skills and cognitive flexibility
Tender Leaf Sunny Doll Family: encourages imaginative play, empathy and social skills
Color Sorting Sensory Learning Toys: develops fine motor control, encourages color matching
LEGO Ideas Insect Collection: encourages imaginative play and builds fine motor control
Baby Dolls and Dollhouses: helps build functional language and familial routines
Montessori Wooden Burger Stacker: builds shape, color, and size differentiation skills
Mini Unicorn Slime: Meets sensory needs, encourages pretend play
Montessori Kids Kitchen Playset: encourages imaginative play and fine motor control
Spinning Stacking Toys: helps with color identification, fine motor control, and hand-eye coordination
STEM Simple Machines: develops cause and effect and problem-solving skills
Big Book of Exclamations: helps build early communication skills
Peek a Boo Barn: models early developing environmental sounds, build fine motor skills
Roll and Drop 3 in 1 Sensory Toy: develops cause and effect skills and fine motor control, meets sensory needs
Kick Scooter: helps build balance and coordination
Mr. Potato Head: encourages understanding of body parts and labeling emotions
Stomp Rockets: develops lower body strength, helps with balance and coordination
Sneaky Snacky Squirrel: develops fine motor skills tied to speech skills, builds social and cognitive skills
Portable Cornhole: assists with turn-taking and social skills, meet sensory needs
Indoor Basketball Hoop: encourages turn-taking, helps with spatial awareness, stretches limbs
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box: encourages imaginative play and color matching
Scooter Board: builds lower body and core strength, develops balance and coordination
Ball Popper: develops early communication skills, meets sensory needs
Every child is unique, and so is their developmental journey. At The Children's Institute, we know that learning happens in all kinds of fun and exciting ways. Whether the goal is to practice social skills, enhance motor control, or simply give kids a break from screen time, these gifts are a fantastic way to give the kids in your life something they can enjoy and learn from.
Happy Holidays from all of us at The Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh! May your season be filled with joy, growth, and lots of fun!
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