It's time for our annual list of fun and festive holiday gifts for people with writing difficulties. No matter what holiday you celebrate, all of our suggestions are items that that could help someone out while they are having so much fun, they don't even realize it!
Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad - Fun with technology and art but actually helping writing, drawing and fine motor skills! Multiple versions for different ages including a Trolls version for younger kids. For preschoolers, we recommend magnetic versions like this one from V-Tech.
Holiday Putty is longtime favorite of ours and makes
the list every year! We love putty for increasing hand strength, kids love its resemblance to slime and there are many colors and types available to match everyone's favorite things. (Drama Queen putty makes a good work white elephant too!) Check out some of the latest twists including an awesome thinking game where you have to use molded putty and a science lab kit for making putty and slime.
SHASHIBO Shape Shifting Box - A bestselling fidget toy, Shashibo expands to make over 70 shapes (more with multiple boxes). Good for kids, teens, and adults - let their creativity run wild while occupying their hands.
Find some new books to inspire from members of our community:
Veera Hiranandani's new book, How to Find What you Are Not Looking For, stars a girl who has dysgraphia (ages 9 - adult).
A new children's book for grades 2-6, The Day Frankie Left His Frontal Lobes At Home, explains self-regulation and executive functions in a kid-friendly way with a number of fun monsters thrown in.
Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set - For teens and adults, those fancy Moleskine notebooks now can transcribe and digitize everything that you write. Make your life easier by automatically having digital versions of notes and drawings.
Warmies Sloth - Tough day? This adorable sloth can be heated up in the microwave and when he is warm and cuddly, he gives off a lavender scent. He calms down kids and adults alike. We are also adding the puppy and the bear, and the holiday hamster to our wishlist.
Many classic games are great for motor skills - check out these suggestions!
Operation - Check out all the latest versions of the classic game. All of them develop hand strength and fine motor skills while using tweezers and they now come in themes everyone will love. Now you can get Minions: The Rise of Gru (ahead of the movie release), Star Wars, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, or the the classic version.
Jenga - Classic fun for the whole family while improving motor skills and coordination. Writing on the blocks is completely optional. There are also Super Mario and Harry Potter editions!
More retro fun, Lite-Brite is a classic motor skills toy with putting pegs onto the light board. Be sure to get some fun refill patterns too for hours of entertainment.
Scratch Art - Practice drawing and writing in a fun, no-pressure way with colors and holograms. Available as a deluxe art set, a doodle pad, or even mini-notes.
Audible Gift Membership - Listening to books improves vocabulary and comprehension without any stress about reading and writing. Gift access to new audiobooks every month with an audible membership.
In the worst case, you can always send a gift card so your loved one can buy writing activities!
The Dysgraphia Life team is wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season.
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