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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!

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Mar 25, 2019

Kit & Caboodle

Kit & Caboodle - Similar to Yahtzee with a nature theme.
Similar to Yahtzee, Kit & Caboodle is a dice game of sets and science. It comes with a colorful dice cup, which I always set aside on dice games so that we can get the benefit of cupping the hand(s) while shaking the dice. Dice games that require repeatedly cupping the hand to shake and throw dice can help strengthen and develop the palmar (hand) arches.

The pictures on the dice include words/letters, a joker, winged animals, shells, birds, reptiles, insects, mammals, snails and space objects. The sets on the score sheets are divided into either kits or caboodles.


Object:
Have the highest score at the end of the game (after 14 rounds).

Set up:
Give each player a score sheet and a pencil. Place the dice nearby.

Play:
The first player throws the dice. The goal is to match the dice thrown to one of the categories on the score sheet. The player will set aside any dice thrown that he wants to keep. It he needs to, he can throw the dice up to three times in one turn to try and make the match that he wants. Sometimes he won't get the full match he needs. Either way, the player must score one category per turn, whether it is a number or a zero.  There are 14 spaces on the score sheet for each game. Play until all 14 spaces have a score before adding and announcing the winner.

Try this:
  • Play with only the upper section if playing with younger kids. Each of the six sides are listed (monkey, rainbow, etc.) and the player gets three chances to see how many of each item he can throw. Play all six categories and end the game.
  • Skip the game. Pick a category from the score sheet. Rotate each die in the fingertips until they all match the pictures in the category.
  • Shape the palm before shaking the dice by putting a small ball or round object in the hand and forming the hand around it. Do that for both hands, drop the dice into the player's hand, and ask him to  place the other hand over the top and shake.
  • Ask the player to shake at least 10 times, to hear them dance, or really mix them up good, etc. This will keep the palms in that position a little longer. 
  • Work on visual discrimination, visual closure, spatial relations, eye-hand coordination, distal finger control, palmar arch development, in-hand manipulation, executive functioning skills, process skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
In the box: 6 dice, dice shaker, score pad

If you are interested in purchasing a Yahtzee game or just want more information, click on the image below.


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