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Toy Recommendations
2-4 years

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Below are several toy recommendations that may be useful in encouraging the use of two hands during play. Of course, this is not an all inclusive list. Try to find similarities and observe the way toys are used to encourage bimanual play with toys you already have at home. 

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Not every toy listed requires two hands to play with. For these toys, try labeling some as "affected hand only toys" or designating the affected hand a "job" when playing with that toy. Often the affected hand can act as a stabilizer while the unaffected hand does the more complex manipulation of the toy (this counts for a lot!). 

Slinkies 

Fun to grasp with both hands, pull apart, and let them bounce back together. Likely to find at any dollar store, Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.

Large Stringing Beads 

Idea: Have the child use their affected hand to hold the bead while the unaffected hand places the string through the hole.

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Felt Flap Books

Idea: Have the child use their affected hand to pull down the felt flaps. 

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"Tunnel"

Use a toy such as a boom whacker or a piece of PVC pipe as a tunnel. 

Idea: Have one hand hold the "tunnel" and the other drop items down it, like matchbox cars or bouncey balls. 

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Pop tubes

Fun to grasp with both hands and pull apart to make a funny noise. 

Snap Blocks

Idea: Require two hands to pull apart and push together.

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Dolls or Stuffed Animals with Clothes

Idea: Requires two hands to dress the doll, do their hair, etc. 

Boom Whacker

Idea: Have the child hold a boom whacker in each hand and hit them together to make fun noises or have them hold a pan and a boomwhacker. 

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Suction Spinners

Idea: Have this be an affected hand activity in the bath tub or on another surface by placing the spinners on their affected side. 

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Ball Popper

Idea: Have this be an affected hand activity by encouraging the child to push down on the yellow lever with their affected extremity. 

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Salad Spinner

Idea: Have this be an affected hand activity by encouraging the child to push down on the lever with their affected extremity. The spinner can be filled with water or left empty to spin toys. 

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Squirt Toys

Idea: Have this be an affected hand activity in the bath tub or outside by encouraging them to use their affected hand when playing with these.

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Balloon pump

Idea: For a pump that sits on the ground, have this be an affected hand activity by encouraging the child to push down on the lever with their affected extremity. For a handheld pump, have the child hold the pump with one had while pinching the balloon on the nozzle with the other 

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