Great Gift Ideas for Children with Cerebral Palsy

When it comes to gift-giving for children with cerebral palsy, you want to find items that are fun, practical, and appropriate for the recipient.  This task can be more difficult than most people realize.  Every child is different, and cerebral palsy symptoms vary.  Gifts that work for one child may not be appropriate for another. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be a great gift-giver, however. All you need is a little guidance and support – and a little creativity.

That’s where Birth Injury Guide comes in. We have compiled a list of great gifts that may be appropriate for children who have cerebral palsy. Take a look to get some inspiration.

Great Gifts for Children Who Have Cerebral Palsy

To help you find the perfect gift for your child or loved one, we have compiled a list of some of the best gift ideas for children who have cerebral palsy.

LEGO DUPLO Blocks

Children with involuntary or spastic movements may find it easier to manipulate larger items.  LEGO’s DUPLO blocks are a great alternative to traditional building blocks.  DUPLO blocks are twice the size of normal LEGO’s and can be purchased in a variety of themes, boxes, or sets.

Weplay Infinite Loop

The Weplay Infinite Loop helps build motor function and upper-body dexterity.  The looped tracks must be opened and closed to help a ball reach the other side.  Each side of the loop offers a different difficulty level and is a great enhancement to cerebral palsy therapy.

Smart Puppy Robotic Pet

Smart Puppy operates via remote and mobile app.  Using the app, children can easily make the puppy bark, do tricks, or wag his tail.  The Smart Puppy can also play music via Bluetooth and will dance.  Puppy size is small enough for most spaces but large enough for children with various types of cerebral palsy to handle safely.

Magformers Magnetic Toys

Children with cerebral palsy often have a difficult time grasping small items and manipulating them.  This can lead to a great deal of frustration for the child.  With Magformers Magnetic Toys, children can build almost anything they want without having to worry about grip or maneuvering linking parts.  Magformers click together with magnetic links and joints so building is easy and less frustrating.  There are many options for Magformers, including building sets and themed sets, which will appeal to children of all ages.

LeapFrog My Own Leaptop

In today’s heavily tech-driven world, even little kids want to be involved and have their own technology.  LeapFrog’s My Own Leaptop is a great option for children.  The Leaptop comes loaded with games, music, animations, interactive activities.  The buttons and screen are larger than most, making this a great option for children with physical disabilities.

Learning Resources Gears

Learning Resources offers a product called “Gears! Gears! Gears!”.  These toys are sets of gears that can be made into all sorts of fun objects.  Some gear sets are motorized, allowing children to build something amazing and then watch it work.  From cars to robots, castles to light-up sets, there are endless building opportunities with Gears.  Gears click together easily, which is a great option for children with dexterity issues.  Gears projects can be large or small, making them a suitable option for solo or group play, and could easily be worked into your child’s play therapy routine.

Card Holders

Children and adults of all ages love to play card and board games.  Individuals with physical disabilities, however, may have a difficult time holding onto sets of cards.  That is why card holders are a perfect gift for individuals with cerebral palsy.  Card holders are most often made of lightweight plastic and are designed in an easy-to-use disc shape.  Cards are easily gripped and help firm throughout game play.

Kinetic Sand

Kinetic sand has been made wildly popular on sites like Youtube, but it has a lot of practical uses for children with physical and cognitive disabilities.  You may also find it interesting to know that kinetic sand is often used in schools and in therapy as a way to help children relax and focus, and improve sensory stimulation. No matter what age your child is, this is a great option for fun with less mess than dough or clay.

Multi-Functional Balls

Many children with cerebral palsy have a hard time develop hand-eye coordination skills.  Multi-functional balls are a great way to improve coordination and range of motion.  Available in a variety of sizes and shapes – from palm-size to so large your child can ride on it – multi-functional balls help your child grip, balance, strengthen core muscles, and improve coordination. This is important if your child has hypotonic or hypertonic muscles affecting balance and mobility.

Wheel Guards

If your child uses a wheelchair, then why not add some personalized touches? Wheel guards are a popular way to let your child express himself or herself.  There are several online medical supply companies that offer wheel guards, with designs ranging from sports and automobiles to your child’s favorite superheroes.

Ride-On Toys

Ride-on toys are a great way to help your child enjoy stretching, exercise, and therapy.  There are many options for ride-on toys that may be appropriate for your child and his or her ability, age, and size.  A few favorites include:

• The Inchworm by Radio Flyer
• Inflatable Hopper Balls
• Little Tykes “Cozy Coupe”
• Wonderland Rocking Caterpillar
• EzyRoller Classic Ride-on Scooter

Talk with your child’s therapist to find out what ride-on options may be best for his or her overall health and mobility goals.

More Information about Cerebral Palsy

There is no cure for cerebral palsy. However, treatment options like physical therapy can help tremendously. Incorporating play into therapy routines is a great way to interact with your child and encourage skill-building. Individuals with cerebral palsy work on a variety of things during physical therapy, including building strength and endurance, stretching and mobilization, and balance and coordination.

Individuals with cerebral palsy also often benefit from occupational therapy. Occupational therapy involves helping individuals function in everyday life. That includes learning skills like eating, dressing and learning to interact with others. With your child’s brain developing, the more hands-on experiences the better! Play is often a component of occupational therapy for children with neurological disorders like cerebral palsy. Engaging children through play is a great way to encourage social skills and independence. Talk to your child’s doctor to learn more about occupational and physical therapy options for cerebral palsy.

Have Questions about Finding Cerebral Palsy Support?

Living with cerebral palsy may require some unusual or creative planning, but it doesn’t have to be difficult.  At Birth Injury Guide, we are more than birth injury lawyers.  We are a caring team of people who want what is best for you and your family.  If you have questions about finding cerebral palsy support or need legal guidance, contact our office.  You can call us toll-free at 877-415-6603, or fill out our online form. Your child’s life doesn’t have to lack quality and fulfillment because of cerebral palsy.

Written By Sam Uribe

Sam Uribe is a researcher and writer. She lends her expertise to the team at Birth Injury Guide to provide up-to-date and relevant content that clients can count on.