Learning Resources Lab Set

Lab Set - Conduct real hands-on experiments.

While this Lab Set is not exactly a game, it is a fun activity none the less. I have included it because it covers many goals an OT might work on such as using measuring tools, following multi-step directions, using hand tools, using your senses, well I could go on and on. 

In the box are all of the items you see above. The instruments are large and made of hard plastic. If you look at the picture on the box you can get an idea of the sizes.

Also included are 10 experiment cards. The cards are laminated and large, measuring 10" x 7". Besides the name, there are three things listed on the front of each card: 1) Tools needed, 2) Extras (items not supplied in the box) and 3) Key science concept that you will be testing. On the back are the step-by-step directions. There are between four and seven steps per card. The age on this box starts at 3+, so these are very basic experiments. Here are a few examples:

• What's That Smell? - Fill four test tubes with fragrant substances. Identify the smells with your eyes closed.
• Dancing Raisins - Use the magnifying glass to watch raisins dance in clear soda.
• Mini Volcano - Make a small volcano and watch it erupt.
• Sink and Float - Add different items to a beaker of water and watch to see if they sink or float.

Ingredients needed over the 10 cards, besides the tools in the box, are water, food color, baking soda, vinegar, paper towels, cooking oil, cotton balls, celery, seeds and soil, bugs, clear soda, raisins, dull pennies, lemon juice, variety of substances each with a distinct smell such as vanilla, perfume, cinnamon and coffee, and small objects such as coins, cereal pieces, and rocks.

Learning Resources has a whole line of these lab sets.

Monitor for safety. 

Try this:

• Name each instrument before you start the experiments. Show how each is used.
• Allow for time to try out the instruments without involving an experiment.
• Allow time for free play.

In the box: Beaker, eyedropper, flask, funnel, glasses, magnifying glass, test tubes, tweezers, 10 activity cards

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

OranguTwang

OranguTwang - Hang the monkey then pile on the pieces.

How long can the orangutan hang before he goes twang? You will find out by carefully hanging and balancing jungle friends and fruits until OranguTwang is overloaded and everything goes flying.

There will be easy assembly to set up the base and trees (6 pieces), which are hard plastic. The two tree trunks are tethered by an elastic cord (you can't remove it) which is where you will hang the orangutan. The orangutan is one piece, hard plastic, but has areas on it that you can hang things from (outstretched arm and foot, looped vine, etc.). There is a toucan on the side of one of the trees. It is a lever and you will push it up before the game starts. Randomly, I think triggered by weight, it will slide down as you play and that makes the orangutan fly off, plus all other items hanging from him.

The custom die has one item on each of five sides (coconut, pineapple, banana bunch, gecko, bat, star).

Object:

Be the last person to hang something on the orangutan before the person that sets everything off and flying.

Set up:

Assemble the game base and trees as shown on the box (easy). Pull the toucan lever up until it clicks. Hand the orangutan on the string. Place all the game pieces in the base and place the die nearby.

Play:

Players take turns. Roll the die to see which piece you will hang on the orangutan. If you get a star, you can pick any piece you want. Hang it anywhere on him, but not on the elastic cord or tree. If you are out of the piece that the dice tells you to hang, either skip a turn, throw again or hang any piece. Play however you want. When things do go flying, the person who placed the piece BEFORE it happened is the winner.

Try this:

• Skip the game. Just try hanging pieces and see if you can balance them all on without setting it off. (I tried several times and I don't think it will take all the weight of all the pieces).
• Let the player follow the diagram to assemble the game.
• Place the piece in the player's hand after they throw the die and let them orient it in-hand before hanging.
• Cup the hand and keep it in that position for several seconds while shaking the die.
• Work on visual discrimination, manual dexterity, spatial relations, graded release, process skills, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation

In the box: 2 piece base, 2 palm trees with toucan lever and vine string, orangutan, 14 hanging game pieces (2 pineapples, 6 banana bunches, 2 geckos, 2 coconuts), custom die

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