Lincoln Logs is a toy that we all had in our homes when we grew up. While there are many new toys on the market full of bells and whistles, this classic toy is timeless, and offers many educational and therapeutic benefits.  

To challenge visual perception skills, such as visual spatial awareness and design copy, replicate the structure in the instructions. Or using your own creativity, build a unique, one-of-a-kind structure. Building your own structure is great for motor planning (see our glossary of terms) because your child will come up with a plan (ideation), figure out how to make a sound structure (organization), and then carry out the plan (execution). There are limitless possibilities when you use your creativity.

Although the recommended age is from 3 years, it is difficult for many children that young to manage the interlocking pieces independently. It appears to be better suited for children 5-8 years old.

The wooden logs are durable and are great for building structures over and over again. Lincoln Logs are available in several different sizes and price ranges. If you purchase a larger set, there will be enough logs and accessories so that more than one child can play simultaneously. All sets come in a container for storage.

 Blog written by: Aviva Goldwasser, MS, OTR.   Chaye Lamm Warburg, DPS, OTR, Director of POTS

If you are looking for a creative, open-ended toy that can also enhance your child’s skills, check out the Parents Pop Beads toy. It is ideal for children who are at least 4 years old, but will keep the interest of children several years older as well. Just be careful if there are younger siblings at home because the small pieces pose a choking hazard.

The set includes 500 colorful pieces, including 12 rings and 6 bracelets. Because there are so many pieces, it is ideal for sharing during a play date or as a group activity.

Therapeutically, this toy can be used to enhance visual perception skills and eye-hand coordination. Create a pattern based on bead color or shape, and have your child copy the design. Lining up the beads to pop them together is great for eye-hand coordination.

This toy is also an excellent choice for building fine motor coordination. Learning to push hard enough to make the beads snap together is helpful for modulating pressure, an important pre-writing skill. To improve dexterity, have your child pick up 5 beads, one at a time, using a pincer grasp (thumb to index finger) and move them from the fingertips to the palm of the hand. As he/she is ready to add to the design, have him/her bring each bead up from the palm to the fingertips one at a time.  

From a pragmatic perspective, the beads are durable and can be used time and time again for educational play. In addition, the container is small, travels well, and make storage easy.

 Blog written by:

Aviva Goldwasser, MS, OTR/L  

Chaye Lamm Warburg, DPS, OTR/L, Director of POTS