The Power of Play: How Play-Based Occupational Therapy Builds Strong Foundations

Walk into any pediatric occupational therapy session and you’ll probably see something that looks a lot like… play. Kids are climbing, swinging, stacking, pretending, or giggling through obstacle courses. And while it may look simple or spontaneous, play-based OT is backed by decades of research and a deep understanding of child development.

Play is not just fun—it’s a child’s primary job. Through play, children learn to regulate their bodies, process sensory information, build motor skills, and connect with others. In occupational therapy, play is the tool, the motivation, and often the goal.

Let’s explore why play is so powerful, how therapists carefully choose activities, and how playful sessions (like our Wobblers and ExerSHINE-style groups) strengthen essential developmental foundations.

Why Play Matters in OT

Children learn best when they’re engaged, regulated, and motivated—and play naturally supports all three. In OT, play helps build skills across four major areas:

1. Regulation & Attention

Before a child can learn, follow directions, or participate in daily routines, their body and brain must feel organized. Play gives kids chances to:

• Move their bodies in ways that calm or activate their sensory systems

• Explore deep pressure, movement, and tactile input

• Build stamina for paying attention during structured tasks

Activities like swinging, climbing, or pushing weighted objects help kids find their “just right” arousal level so they can focus and participate.

2. Motor Skills

Play strengthens both gross motor skills (balance, strength, coordination) and fine motor skills (grasp, dexterity, hand strength). Through play, children practice:

• Crossing midline

• Bilateral coordination (using both sides of the body together)

• Hand-eye coordination

• Balance and core control

When kids crawl through tunnels, build block towers, or carry heavy items, they’re developing foundational motor skills that later support handwriting, self-care, and classroom participation.

3. Social & Emotional Development

Play is one of the most natural ways children learn:

• Turn-taking

• Problem-solving

• Flexibility

• Emotional expression

• Coping skills

A playful environment lowers stress, enhances connection, and makes therapy feel joyful rather than intimidating.

4. Sensory Processing

Play gives the nervous system rich information about movement, touch, pressure, and body awareness. This helps kids learn how to:

• Interpret sensations

• Stay calm in busy environments

• Navigate playgrounds or classrooms

• Feel confident in their bodies

How Occupational Therapists Choose Play Activities

While a session may look spontaneous, therapists are always thinking clinically. Each game, toy, or obstacle course is selected based on several questions:

1. What skills does the child need to develop?

If a child struggles with:

• Core strength → the OT may choose scooter boards, animal walks, or climbing.

• Fine motor precision → they may use tongs, Play-Doh, or sticker tasks.

• Sensory modulation → they may incorporate swinging, deep pressure play, or heavy work.

2. What motivates this child?

Play works because it’s meaningful. Therapists build sessions around:

• A child’s interests (dinosaurs, cars, cooking, superheroes)

• Preferred sensory experiences

• Games that promote confidence and success

3. How can the activity be graded?

OTs adjust play to make it easier or more challenging:

• Changing the size or weight of materials

• Adjusting speed or repetition

• Adding steps to a game

• Shifting from pretend play to real-world skill practice

4. How can the activity support functional goals?

Every activity links back to functional participation, such as:

• Dressing

• Feeding

• Writing

• Following routines

• Emotional regulation

Play is simply the pathway to get there.

What Play-Based OT Looks Like: Examples from Wobblers & ExerSHINE-Style Activities

Our clinic’s play groups (like Wobblers or ExerSHINE-inspired sessions) are perfect examples of purposeful, development-rich play. Here are some common activities and the skills they support. Reach out to our office to learn more!

Play Isn’t Extra—It’s Essential

When children play, they’re working on skills that build the foundation for everything else: learning, emotional regulation, independence, and confidence.

In play-based OT:

• Movement teaches body awareness.

• Creativity builds problem-solving.

• Joy fosters connection.

• And meaningful experiences pave the way for real-world success.

What looks like fun is actually a carefully tailored, child-led therapeutic process that helps kids thrive.