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Children learn through play. As an occupational therapist who works with children and youth, I use games and toys almost every day to help develop important cognitive, visual perceptual, motor, sensory, social, play and leisure skills. While many different types of activities can be used in therapy, this blog focuses on off-the-shelf games and toys that are accessible to most. Whether you are a therapist, parent, teacher, or a game lover like me, I hope you discover something useful while you are here. Learn a different way to play a game you already own or discover a new game for your next family game night. Either way, just go play. It's good for you!

The OT Magazine named The Playful Otter one of the Top 5 Pediatric OT Blogs.


Aug 11, 2016

Bop It Smash

Bop It Smash - Pull yourself together man!


Bop It is a talking electronic toy. Hold it horizontally in front of you, one end in each hand, and push the ends together (smash it) to start. A light will start traveling back and forth, from one end to the other, back and forth, over and over, until you stop it. When the traveling light passes through the middle circle, smash the two ends together to stop it in the circle. The light travels fast and you have to react quickly.

There are three lights in the oval in the middle that will give you points if you stop on any of them. The one in the middle (blue, below) is worth five points, and the ones on either side of it are worth one point each. Each time you smash it and miss landing on one of those three, the voice gives you feedback. The remarks are things like "Fail-tastic my man", "Try harder", "Give up", and "Pull yourself together man". The volume can be turned down, but not completely off.

Each time a new game starts there is a new pattern that the light travels. You will have three lives before the game ends. Watching a few passes of the light to study the pattern before attempting to smash it often helps. Older kids have liked this.

Work on reaction speed, visual tracking, eye-hand coordination, sequencing

In the box: 1 piece electronic toy as seen in image below.
Ages 8+

If you are interested in purchasing this item or just want more information, click the image below.


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