Novel Distraction Toys for Children from Everyday Things
by
Barbara Sher 
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One of the major tricks of parenting is the art of distraction. It’s a cinch when babies are small and they reach for something you don’t want them to have. You simply do a sleight of hand and offer baby something else. Not only does she go for it, she forgets that there was anything else there to begin with.
It is, unfortunately for us, a sign of intelligence when your smarty remembers what it was that she was after and won’t go for a substitute. Unless…. you are quick or clever enough to find a substitute that is more interesting.
To that end, here are suggestions for Distraction Toys. You could make them up ahead of time and keep each in a zip-lock bag to be pulled out when needed. They could be used when a child is bored or frustrated or needs stimulation or, let’s not kid ourselves, when we need a moment of quiet.
Keep in mind the abilities of your child when choosing the toys.
1) An empty plastic water bottle and cut up straws. Game: Put the pieces of straws in the bottle opening. Poke a tiny hole in the cap if you want to up the challenge.
2) A sock with different objects inside. Game: “Can you find the walnut inside by just feeling with your fingers? What else is in there: a paper clip; a comb? No peeking”!
3) A bag with raisins and toothpicks. Game: To skewer the raisins until the toothpick is full and then pull them off with the front teeth!
4) Two ends of a milk carton cut off and inserted into each other (to form a small closed box) and pennies. Cut a fat slit in the top of the small box. Game: to insert pennies, one by one, inside the little slot.
5) A bag of Cheerios or *Fruit Loops and a piece of string. Knot one end and put tape on the other to make it pointed. Game: To make an edible necklace
*Substitute organic sugar-free veggie colored o cereal for traditional Fruit Loops.
6) A bag of stickers. Game: To peel off and stick on anything in sight.
Lots of everyday things can turn into novel distraction toys, and children are distracted by novelty! Whatcha got at your house?
GOT GAME? Barbara Sher’s ten books in eleven foreign languages has a gazillion ideas on ways to play with your child whether you’re a parent of one or an inclusive teacher with many. Check out any of Barbara’s books such as Early Intervention Games, Smart Play, Extraordinary Play with Ordinary Things on any on-line bookstore.
Game Ideas
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- What’s “APP”ening? Fun & Educational Game Apps for Children with Special Needs
This post originally appeared on our January/February 2015 Magazine
