April is Occupational Therapy (OT) Month, and this year our team is celebrating with something fun, engaging, and purposeful: OT Olympics.
Throughout the month, our occupational therapists are using themed, Olympic-style activities to target essential developmental skills—while keeping kids motivated through play.
Each week focuses on a different skill area, with simple ideas you can also try at home.
Week 1 (April 1–3): Executive Functioning
Activities:
- Memory matching game
- Obstacle course
- Word search
- Sports speed sort
At Home Ideas:
- Play strategy board games
- Try “Floor is Lava”
- Complete multi-step activities like crafts or snack prep
What This Works On (Clinician Description):
Executive function skills are a set of mental abilities that help you manage yourself and your behavior in order to achieve goals. These skills include planning, organization, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and problem solving. Together, these skills allow you to plan, focus, remember instructions, organize tasks, and regulate your actions.
Week 2 (April 6–10): Emotional Regulation
Activities:
- Olympic torch race
- Heavy work activity cards
- Cotton ball races
- Emotions memory matching game
At Home Idea:
- Bubble Mountain: Blow through a straw into soapy water to build bubbles (great for deep breathing and regulation)
What This Works On (Clinician Description):
Emotional regulation is the ability to recognize, manage, and respond to feelings in a way that supports daily life and relationships. In occupational therapy, we help individuals build these skills so they can stay engaged, recover from challenges, and feel more in control. It’s not about eliminating big emotions—it’s about learning how to navigate them.
Week 3 (April 13–17): Fine Motor & Visual-Motor Skills
Activities:
- Olympic rings ball toss
- Figurine skiing
- Balloon tennis
- Prewriting practice
- Olympic pennant craft
At Home Ideas:
- Use kitchen tongs to pick up toys
- Build with Legos
- Squeeze spray bottles
- Play with play dough
What This Works On (Clinician Description):
Fine motor and visual motor skills help us use our hands and eyes together to complete everyday tasks like writing, buttoning, and cutting. In occupational therapy, we support the development of these skills to improve independence, coordination, and confidence. Strong foundations here make a big difference in school, play, and daily routines.
Week 4 (April 20–24): Sensory Processing
Activities:
- Sensory balloon matching
- Water beads sensory bin
- Guess that smell
- Flashlight find
- Interoception game
At Home Idea:
- Sensory nature walk: Find different colors, shapes, textures, sounds, and smells outside
What This Works On (Clinician Description):
Sensory processing is how your brain takes in information from your senses and makes sense of it so you can respond appropriately. You’re constantly receiving input from things like: What you see (light, colors, movement), What you hear (sounds, volume), What you feel (touch, temperature, pain), What you smell and taste, Your body’s position and movement (balance, muscle use). Your brain acts like a control center: It receives sensory information, It organizes and interprets it, It decides how you should react.
Week 5 (April 27–30): Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Activities:
- Button snake race
- Dressing relay
- Teeth brushing sequencing
- Hydration station race
- Zip it to win it
At Home Ideas:
- Practice socks using hair scrunchies
- Use play dough to work on fork and knife skills
What This Works On (Clinician Description):
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are the everyday tasks we do to take care of ourselves, like dressing, eating, and grooming. In occupational therapy, we help individuals build the skills and confidence needed to complete these tasks as independently as possible. Supporting ADLs means supporting dignity, participation, and success in daily life.
Why OT Olympics Works
The OT Olympics approach combines movement, play, and structure—which is exactly how kids learn best. By turning therapy goals into games, children are more engaged, more motivated, and more likely to carry these skills into everyday life.
Bringing OT Into Your Home
You don’t need special equipment to support your child’s development. Many of these activities can be recreated with simple household items and a little creativity.
The key is consistency, playfulness, and meeting your child where they are.
Ready to Learn More?
If you’re noticing your child struggling with coordination, regulation, or everyday tasks, occupational therapy can help.
At Medical Support Services, our team supports children and families every step of the way.
