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• sale top rated Hole in my Heart $ 1.00 $2.49 15 Add to cart
• top rated trending Despondent $ 9.99 16 Add to cart
• Sandtastik Coarse Therapy Sand - White - 25lb Box $ 35.99 54 Add to cart
• top rated trending Pretend Play Multicultural Families- 32 Piece $ 79.99 $99.96 32 Add to cart
• trending Empty Inside $ 3.99 6 Add to cart
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• top rated CBT 123: The Hilariously Fun Game that Empowers Kids and Teens to Take Charge of Their Thoughts, Actions, and Emotions $ 16.99 $18.99 38 Add to cart
• top rated Basic Wooden Sand Tray with Rolling Cart Combo $ 369.99 $409.98 31 Add to cart
• sale top rated Erupting Volcano Motion Bubbler $ 5.99 $6.99 8 Add to cart
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• Adopted and Wondering: Drawing Out Feelings $ 8.99 $9.95 1 Add to cart
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• F is for Feelings (paperback) $ 9.99 $11.99 Add to cart
• Distracted $ 9.99 5 Add to cart
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• Anger Management Toolkit $ 9.99 Add to cart
• Dragon Worriers: Stories, Worksheets & Therapeutic Tools to Overcome Childhood Anxiety $ 21.99 $24.99 Add to cart
• Doggone Grief Board Game $ 59.99 $69.99 2 Add to cart
• Healing Hearts: A Game for Children about the Journey through Grief $ 49.99 3 Add to cart
• Squishable Squishamals $ 2.79 $3.00 1 Add to cart
• Chewberz Chewable Pencil Toppers - 3 pack $ 7.99 Add to cart
• new Sand Therapy for Out of Control Sexual Behavior, Shame, and Trauma $ 32.99 $39.95 Add to cart
• new Where Soul Meets Matter: Clinical and Social Applications of Jungian Sandplay Therapy $ 25.99 $27.00 Add to cart
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• closeout new Rainbow Building Blocks $ 35.97 $72.97 Add to cart
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• new Abby & Emma Magnetic Pretend Play Dress Up Set $ 21.99 $24.99 Add to cart
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• Sandtray Applications to Trauma Therapy: A Model Towards Relational Harmony $ 29.99 $32.95 Add to cart
• sale Mechanical Fidget Cube - Clicky - Pastel Red $ 11.99 $14.99 Add to cart
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• A-Z Mindful Affirmation Cards $ 24.99 $29.00 Add to cart
• Switchsphere Mechanical Stress Ball - Pastel Blue $ 12.99 $16.95 Add to cart
• sale Switchsphere Mechanical Stress Ball - Mint Green $ 9.99 $16.95 Add to cart
• Blank Flipbooks (3-pack) $ 4.99 $5.99 Add to cart
• Small Sand Timers Combo 8-Pack $ 9.99 $11.99 Add to cart
• The Night Dad Went to Jail: What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Jail (Paperback) $ 7.99 $8.99 Add to cart
• trending Tiny Rainbow $ 1.00 4 Add to cart
• trending Gaming Controller $ 1.00 3 Add to cart
• trending Plastic Jail $ 14.99 5 Add to cart
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• top rated trending Desktop Zen Sand Tray: Aroma Essence $ 19.99 9 Add to cart
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• top rated trending Totika with Six Card Decks $ 69.99 $94.74 12 Add to cart
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• trending Teen Therapy Game Package $ 119.99 $170.81 5 Add to cart
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• top rated trending Friends with Diverse Abilities $ 27.99 $29.99 15 Add to cart
• trending The Coping Skills Board Game $ 59.95 5 Add to cart
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PORTABLE AND MOBILE KITS

Mobile play therapy toys kit with rolling duffle.

This kit is a terrific value! This set is ideal for the traveling therapist, or the therapist with multiple offices. The Deluxe Rolling Play Therap...

Beginning Mobile Play Therapy Toys Set

A great set for the beginning play therapist who is on the go! Our Beginning Mobile Play Therapy Set has everything you need to get started with pl...

Build Your Own Mobile Kit (Starter Set)

We know what we like in our kits, but maybe you'd like to build your own mobile kit! This set provides a nice base for practitioners of filial ther...

Extra Large 17 Liter Portable Sand Tray & 10 lbs White Shape-It (Moon) Sand

Our Portable Sand Tray comes with a locking lid and features clear, heavy-duty plastic with a blue tint. This tray is perfect for therapists on the...

Extra Large 17 Liter Portable Sand Tray & 20 lbs Kinetic Sand

Sand play starter set with inflatable tray & 5.5 lb kinetic sand.

This starter set is everything you need to practice sand play therapy on the go! Our inflatable tray is portable, easy to use, and has velcro closu...

Small 4 liter Portable Sand Tray & 2 lbs White Sand

Filial basic play therapy toys kit 2020.

This kit is a great value for practitioners of filial therapy, play therapy, and child therapy. It is also ideal for therapists who want to expand ...

Rolling Filial Play Therapy Toys Kit 2020

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How to Organize a Portable Play Therapy Kit

In This Article:

Choosing the container, picking a list, the finished project, links to buy, starting out.

Collecting toys for play therapy can be an expensive process. You could save money by accumulating items from thrift stores, dollar stores, or creating things yourself. As you will see, most items can be found at Walmart, Target, Amazon, and party stores. Of course, you can always save time and purchase a preassembled play therapy kit like this one .

Or this one below for  using sand tray.

Since I recently needed to put together a portable play therapy cart for an intern, I decided to share the way I decided to do it, and some links to hopefully help you with the process as well!

Follow these easy 3 steps to design your own portable play therapy kit!

1. Choosing The Container

Before you begin deciding which toys you’ll use, take into account your situation. Are you traveling to a school setting? Are you just going down the hall to use a room?

Depending on your mode of travel (walking down the hall vs. needing to drive in your car) will determine what you use to carry your items and how  portable that item needs to be. For example, in my situation, I need something I can push down the hall. So, I’ll be choosing a rolling cart. If you have a job that requires travel, you will need something much more portable, such as a duffle bag.

Determining your container will also determine how much you are able to carry (maybe just the essentials) and how much you are able to fit into the bag.

Here’s what I’ll be using:

Rolling carts can be found on  Amazon  for a variety of sizes and prices. More portable options can include duffel bags ( Walmart also has rolling duffel bags) and mesh bags . A great suggestion is to keep insulated lunch bags for perishable items such as crayons and paint if your bag will be stored in a car or a warm place.

For containment and organization on the cart, I found awesome storage bins at Walmart .

All of my art supplies:

2. Picking A List

For those more unfamiliar with assembling a portable play therapy kit, you may choose to use a pre-made list of essential play therapy items.

It’s important to choose purposeful items that allow the child to express a wide range of emotions, life roles, expression of self, and exploration of reality testing and limit setting. Toys should also be durable and fun!

Check out this blog on Sandtray Miniatures to get a good idea of the importance of various symbols.

The Center for Play Therapy recommends 3 categories of toys: real life and nurturing (doll houses, medical kit, phones), acting out and aggressive (plastic swords, dart gun, angry/aggressive animals) and creative and emotional release such as art mediums/materials, puppets, sand, and magic wands.

Here is an example of a list you could use to set up an entire play therapy room. This list came from the Center of Play Therapy.

In Garry Landreth’s book, The Art of the Relationship, on page 125 you’ll find a shorter list of essential play therapy items. Find it on  Amazon  if you don’t already have it! It’s an essential resource to have!

Another great book especially if you’re interested in Sandplay is Sandplay: A Sourcebook for Play Therapists by Susan Perkins McNally. Here it is on Amazon .

To make it easier for you, here is the list I made:

Real Life & Nurturing:

Doll house (If you’re really pressed for space, here’s a folding doll house. We will be using a regular sized doll house)

Dolls for doll house and furniture if able (family set on Amazon )

Medical kit

Baby dolls and bottles

Fake food and utensils

Fake money and jewelry

Mailbox (optional)

Blocks or Legos

Roll up road rug and cars

Jail and Police car

Acting Out and Aggressive:

Fake weapons

Aggressive animals and puppets

Destroyable items (such as phone book or egg cartons)

Creative and Emotional Release:

Various art supplies and construction paper

Play Dough and Tools

Dress up items and magic wand

Other Puppets

Heroic/Villain figures

Therapeutic games

Kinetic Sand

Here are some pictures and links for where to buy with space-saver suggestions!

3. Assemble!

Here are some pictures of items I assembled from the list above.

I’ve included paper, markers, colored pencils, popsicle sticks, glue, paintbrushes, and primary acrylic paint colors. Don’t forget some blunted scissors!

Play Dough:

You can find play dough in most toy stores and dollar stores. I bought this play dough tool kit from Amazon. I also included some miniature cooking utensils .

What I love about this block set is it allows for a lot of creative building in a small space. Blocks include walls, windows, recognizable buildings, trees, and vehicles!

Kinetic Sand:

I’ve had a lot of kids gravitate towards the kinetic sand. I bought a bag at Walmart and put it in a small, shallow plastic tupperware bin.

Dolls and Dollhouses:

Walmart usually has multicultural dolls. While these are not the same as the ones above, I use them in another play therapy room. Currently, the multicultural dolls are out of stock at Walmart. With the dolls, I also included little blankets, the medical kit , and the baby bottles.

As I mentioned earlier, you can use a small doll house like this one, or find a foldable doll house if you are tight on space.

If you have the room, I found this small jail set at my local dollar store. It has been a very popular item. I’ve had kids use this to rule out the “good” guys from the “bad guys”, act out situations and experiences, and sometimes play themes of justice and mastery. You could also save money and easy make one with a wooden box with a hinge door and some toothpick bars!

Roll Up Road Rug and Cars:

Confession: I used this rug as a kid! My grandmother was recently going to donate it, but I snagged it for use in the play room! I roll it out for smaller clients, or I roll it up when I’ve got teens. Here is a similar one. It’s a great space-saver!

 I’ve had kids practice rule-following or patience (at a pretend red light) or break the rules and race or the occasional dragon-takes-over-the-town scenario! You never know!

Imaginary Play:

Include easy to find dress up items such as hats, scarves, badges , cap es , and sunglasses. I also included fake jewelry and fake money. For the sake of space, this is also where I stored puppets such as sharks, dolls, a turtle, and a dinosaur. Again, if you’re short on space, try some finger puppets .

I’ve also included binoculars (look at things close-up or far away), two phones , and a fake knife and gun for imaginary play. (Some people choose to not include weapons in their kits).

Here’s an awesome tool kit I found that kids love to use. It’s great for exploratory and mastery play.

I use these 3 games the most. I numbered my Jenga from 1–45 and used lists with questions for each numbered block. The blank blocks serve as open-ended questions. I use a list for building rapport, self esteem, and for teens. The Ungame also has expansion packs for working with teens. Life Stories is a great game to get to know your client! If I had to choose just one game to include, I would pick Jenga for its versatility. If you’re pressed for space, check out this mini Jenga game !

The Finished Project:

Whoever uses the cart will be able to take relevant toys from the cart and quickly display them in the empty room. Art and games on top, mastery and nurturing toys in the middle, aggressive and imaginary toys at the bottom.

I hope you enjoyed, and happy hunting!

(Listed in alphabetic order, links other than Amazon active since 7/22/17. Amazon links updated 6/19/2018.)

Acrylic Paint: https://amzn.to/2MBkE74

Baby Doll with bottle: https://amzn.to/2lgBlZ4

Badges: https://amzn.to/2ta4klz

Binoculars:   https://amzn.to/2tliW10

Block Set: https://amzn.to/2I4KUmP

Costume Jewelry: https://amzn.to/2lkWW2o

Duffel bags: https://www.walmart.com/browse/home/travel-duffel-bags/4044_444253_651266

Family Miniature Set:  https://amzn.to/2tk00zv

Finger Puppets:   https://amzn.to/2K38Gow

Folding doll house:  https://amzn.to/2ljAw1N

Jail:   https://amzn.to/2JReXEv

Jenga Classic:   https://amzn.to/2th60sI

Jenga Mini:   https://amzn.to/2yuFYbg

Kinetic Sand: https://amzn.to/2JT87OD

Lifestories Game:  https://amzn.to/2tllTyv

Medical Kit:   https://amzn.to/2ynFpQF

Miniature Cooking Utensils:   https://amzn.to/2yqVeGk

Play dough Tool kit: https://www.amazon.com/Dough-Tools-5-Piece-Assortment/dp/B0008GMGZ8/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1500834403&sr=1-1&keywords=play+doh+tools

Power Tool kit:   https://amzn.to/2t73u9w

Road Rug:   https://amzn.to/2JQhTkv

Rolling carts:  https://amzn.to/2I1sG5V

Storage bins: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-EZ-Carry-Large-Show-Offs-Storage-Container-Clear/48194361

The Ungame:   https://amzn.to/2tb5rS9

The Ungame Expansion Pack for Teens:  https://amzn.to/2M6j0JD

Updated: 6/19/2018. Please note all Amazon links have been updated and are affiliate links. All other links are not affiliate links.

Getting Started in Play Therapy Literature

This post has 2 comments.

Pingback: Color your Feelings Activity | ThePlayTherapist.com

Just the fact that a resource like this site exists is a godsend, much less all the wonderful information contained therein! I have practiced as a psychiatrist for over 10 years, and decided about 2 years ago to return to graduate school to work towards an MFT and a PsyD because of my love for psychotherapy. This information will undoubtedly help me with a project for my Parent-Child Therapy course, in which I am to design a play kit with a minimum of 10 items, explaining the purpose of each item in the kit. Thank you kindly!!

Comments are closed.

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What are the "Must Have" Toys for a New Play Therapist?

Questions about “must have” toys get asked so many times by clinicians new to the field of play therapy.  And, the answers can vary widely.  I’ve given parents some of my favorite toys in the past.

Landreth’s “Must Have” Toy Categories:

The foundation for play therapy training for a lot of clinicians is Dr. Garry Landreth and Chid Centered Play Therapy.  He advises that play therapists include several toys from each of three categories.  Note that this list does not include everything that would fit into each category (they are just examples) and also that you do need everything on any list

• Play kitchens and play food
• Doctor kits and band-aids
• Dolls and Dollhouses
• Animals, Cars, Trucks, People
• Cash Register and Play Money

Expressive/Creative

• Art supplies
• Puppets and Puppet Theater

Aggressive/Emotional Release

• Foam swords
• Rubber knives
• Aggressive puppets or figures (sharks, dinosaur, alligator, etc)

Directive Play Therapists “Must Have” Toys

When doing  more structured or directive play therapy interventions, you usually need things like:

• Therapuetic games
• Traditional board games
• Playing cards
• Cooperative Board Games

“Must Have” Elements of a Play Therapy Space

It can be quite easy to find excellent toys everywhere you go.  And Dr. Landreth reminds us all to beware of the urge to get everything.  He says in his book, The Art of the Relationship, “Toys should be selected, not collected.”  

And I created this infographic to summarize my thoughts on creating the perfect play therapy space that you might find helpful.

Reframing The Question

But, I just recently heard it explained in a wonderful way by a colleague, Dr. Jessica Stone, who responded to this very question during a discussion board about the Play Therapy Summit.   She gave me permission to share it with you:

Hi all, I like to take an approach of collecting gems along my way in this field. I am not sure I could identify the one thing my office couldn’t live without. It is complex. Is that my personal favorite thing? Or my client’s? Or the majority of my clients? What comprises a favorite thing? I believe what we have in our offices needs to be a balance of 1) what is congruent with who we are, what we believe, what our theoretical foundation is, what our space allows comfortably, etc. and 2) what speaks our client’s language, what helps our clients speak, what speaks to our clients, what allows them to experience feeling heard, seen, important, and understood. I like to take a gem from Maria Montessori and think of the tools in my office as a way of scaffolding within the office. There are items that fit where they are in this moment, items that help them move forward, and items that work when they need to regress a bit. Sometimes these tools aren’t our preferred or favorite. Sometimes they are. As I look around my office in response to your question I think about the clients who use the majority of the tools in my office on any given day but I also think about that one client, the one who found the tool that meant the most to them and they used it in the most amazing way – whatever that meant for them – Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S”

As I was packing up my office to move out of the state this week, I found Dr Stone’s words especially helpful.  I usually play loud music when doing tasks like this, but this time, I held each of the toys and remembered the children that used them and how they used them.  It was a mix of joy and sadness as I reflected on all of those shared moments in this specific playroom.

Final Thoughts:

In the end, I would recommend selecting a few items from each of Dr. Landreth’s categories and then considering Dr. Stone’s advice about seeing the value of all the different toys in the playroom. But, know that whatever you have is enough.  As long as you are in the room,  focusing on the relationship with the child and responding in an authentic manner.

About the Author

Jen Taylor, LCSW-C, RPT-S is an EMDR Approved Consultant and Certified Journal to the Self Instructor.  She is a therapist specializing in complex trauma, an international play therapy teacher and a published writer of multiple play therapy chapters.  Jen is the creator of the original 2017 Play Therapy Summit and many other innovative programs for mental health professionals.  Jen uses writing therapy, play therapy and expressive arts for her clients and for other mental health professionals so they can lead more joyful and meaningful lives.  Jen encourages people to try new things and create daily habits that allow for incremental progress towards previously unimaginable results.   Jen is a travel enthusiast, an avid reader, and a girl who lifts weights and runs for fun.  

This was such a timely (…& encouraging) post for me, as I have recently opened my private play therapy practice this past month. Coming from a history of working in fully stocked play rooms, I sometimes get discouraged at my growing, but small, collection of toys. I completely agree with you that the therapist is the most important tool in the room! I want to add that children use whatever you have available to them to create whatever it is they need for their play that may not be present in your new therapy room just yet. 😊

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Recommended toy list, create a therapeutic environment: a well-planned and organized space is very important especially for distressed and traumatized children.

• Orderly and Predictable
• Allow for Messiness & Ease of Clean Up

Criteria for Selecting Toys and Materials

Toys should:

Allow for exploration of real-life experiences, including cultural values, traditions, and roles

Facilitate contact with the child by gaining the child's interest and attention

Permit reality testing/limit setting

Provide the opportunity for development of self-control

Facilitate exploration of the self and others

Allow children to express their needs symbolically (without any need for verbalization)

Provide for expression of a wide range of feelings

Provide opportunities for insight/self-understanding

Allow for creative expression

Toys should also be durable, simple, and easy to operate, allow for success & are fun

Reminder: Toys should be selected, not collected

Categories of Toys

Real-life and Nurturing Doll family, doll house, baby bottle, variety of puppets, animal families, cars, money, cash, register, kitchen food, medical kit, phone, etc.

Acting-out, Aggressive, Scary Toys (or not?) Bop bag, toy soldiers, guns (colored plastic-not real looking!), scary/aggressive puppets and animals (alligator, shark, etc), rubber knife, foam sword, handcuffs, etc.

Creative expression and emotional release: Sand, water, paints, craft materials, clay, musical instruments, magic wand, dress-up clothes, etc.

Toys and Materials For Play Therapy

Fully Equipped Playroom

Best travel toys, according to Lovevery families

Keep your child happily occupied on a long flight or road trip to the beach? While it may sound daunting, having some versatile playthings and unique activity ideas can make the time pass more smoothly. At times, traveling can even present opportunities for learning and bonding through stretches of focused playtime together.

To help make your vacation a little easier (and brainier 🤓), we asked Lovevery families for their favorite toys and activities when traveling with babies , toddlers , and 3-year-olds .

Best travel toys for babies 

Photo holder with black-and-white images or familiar faces.

Few things fascinate new babies more than high-contrast black-and-white images. Tuck several into a small photo album to flip for your baby or use the Standing Card Holder . 

See inside The Looker Play Kit

The Looker Play Kit

The Looker Play Kit welcomes your newborn with tools to help them process the world around them and build brand new brain connections with high-contrast and black-and-white Playthings.

As your child grows and their vision improves, swap the images for printed photos of special people (maybe even those you’re going to visit 😊) Research shows babies focus on faces long before they begin recognizing objects.

Cups for previewing nesting and stacking

Your baby can explore the Nesting Stacking Dripdrop Cups on an airplane table tray and in the bath or pool once you reach your destination. To keep the cups nestled together, tie them up in a colorful scarf that can be used for a lesson in object permanence: hide the cups under the scarf and then reveal them. Warning—your baby may want you to do this again and again 🙃

The Explorer Play Kit

The Explorer Play Kit engages your 9-10 month old baby’s senses as they explore object permanence, shape changing, feelings, and basic concepts which help build their coordination and concentration.

The Inspector Play Kit

The Inspector Play Kit exposes your 7 – 8 month old to the world with detailed sensory experiences by exploring texture, practicing nesting and stacking, and learning about object permanence.

Nesting and stacking skills may emerge as early as 12 to 13 months. Count aloud or provide explanations with phrases such as, “Mama’s putting the small cup into the large cup” or “Dada stacks the small cup on top of the large cup.” Your baby will likely want to reach out to give it a try, and you’ll be right there to help guide them.

Soft books and board books

Even newborns make brain connections through books and reading. Some Lovevery family travel favorites include: the Soft Book with its many textures ( The Charmer ), “How I Feel” Board Book with interesting photos of emotions ( The Explorer ), “Animals I See” Mini Book for small hands ( The Thinker ), “I Love You All the Time” Board Book with rhyming text and baby faces ( The Inspector Book Bundle ), and “Plant a Seed, Watch it Grow” Fabric Book with flaps ( The Explorer Book Bundle ). 

Rattle to practice sound tracking

A small wooden rattle is easy to slip into your diaper bag and can be used for sound tracking and mouthing play. Shake the rattle near your baby’s face until they notice and start following the sound with their eyes. You might also shake it in a rhythm such as shake , shake , pause; shake , shake , pause. This helps your baby recognize patterns, a foundational math skill.

Baby-safe keys for feeling like a grown-up

Keys are magical to babies—they open mailboxes and literally open doors. Having a baby-safe set on hand, such as the Stainless Steel Jingle Keys , will keep your baby occupied for a while thanks to the easy-to-grip metal ring that also feels good on gums, plus the rounded keys with their bright jingle.

Don’t be surprised if your baby is even more excited when they see you with your keys, too. Ask, “Where are [Liam’s] keys?” as you two jingle your keys together to hear the different sounds.

Best travel toys for toddlers

Practicing bilateral coordination with buckles.

Buckling up is probably not your toddler’s favorite part of going on a trip, but playing with the no-pinch Buckle Barre l might be. A hands-down favorite travel item for Lovevery families, it works many skills at once—“bilateral coordination” (using both hands together), hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, and pincer grasping. It also doubles as a (slightly bumpy) child-size travel pillow.

See inside The Companion Play Kit

The Companion Play Kit

The Companion Play Kit is a celebration of the things your child can do, and some things they’re just starting to explore: coloring, matching, comparing, categorizing, stacking, sorting, and more.

To start, unbuckle the buckles and show your toddler how they fit together. Then unbuckle everything again and encourage them to give it a try or take turns. As your child’s fine motor strength develops, they’ll eventually do the unbuckling themselves.

A custom snack box to practice pincer grasp 

Practicing the pincer grasp isn’t just for babies. Toddlers also need time to work on this crucial fine motor skill, which they need for eating with utensils and learning to write. Try filling a bento box or pill container with snacks and encourage your toddler to use child-friendly tweezers to eat their snacks and transfer items from one compartment to another. 

Set a goal, such as transferring a total of five to 10 pieces before taking a bite. Count aloud each time your child drops a piece of food into a compartment.

Container with lid for building finger strength and dexterity

Opening and closing containers with lids takes coordination, and it’s especially fun when something is inside. The Fuzzy Bug Shrub has peel-and-stick bugs to motivate your toddler to build bilateral hand coordination and finger strength.

Explore The Adventurer Play Kit

The Adventurer Play Kit

The Adventurer Play Kit is designed with months 16, 17, and 18 in mind and will help build many skills including emotion awareness, problem solving, language skills, and motor skills.

If your child isn’t ready to hold the canister with one hand and open the lid with the other, start by opening it for them and having them practice closing the top. They can turn the open canister upside-down to dump out the Velcro critters. Next, take turns naming the bugs and sticking them on the bush. Sing a clean up song when it’s time to put the bugs back in the canister.

Stringing beads for working with two hands

Challenge your toddler to practice using both hands with this fine motor activity. Threading beads takes concentration, requiring your child to focus on sliding the bead onto the string one at a time. Long road trips and layovers give plenty of uninterrupted time to work on this skill. 

The chunky beads in the Threadable Bead Kit do double duty as play pieces that can be used for matching and sorting by shape and color, or creating patterns. Once the beads are in order, slowly demonstrate how to thread the beads on the string. Then let your toddler practice with the thin rings first, which are easier to thread than the thicker, rounder pieces.  

Matching games to begin classifying

As your toddler approaches 2, they may be ready to start connecting the 2-dimensional world to the 3-dimensional by matching pictures to animal figurines. They may also be able to make animal sounds, line up the toys in a row, identify them by touch when hidden in a bag, and more. The take-along Montessori Animal Match & Drawstring Bag includes six tiles and six matching figurines for lots of matching fun. 

With lots of time to practice, your toddler will begin to pick up on the similarities and differences needed to classify, or organize objects into groups. Start by giving your child two tiles and then present them with one matching animal figurine. Ask them which one looks like a match and then give them a new tile and one matching figurine for the next round. Gradually increase the number of tiles and animals as their skills grow.

Board books for transitions or any time

Traveling in close quarters offers many chances for children to read books with you and on their own. Pack some lightweight favorites to bring familiarity to bedtime and diaper changes in a new place and one or two new ones to whip out when a surprise is needed.

Some favorite Lovevery books for toddlers include: “Bedtime for Zoe” ( The Babbler ), “Max and Nana Go to the Park” ( The Adventurer ), “Bea Gets a Checkup” ( The Realist ), “Making Muffins” ( The Helper ), “Ready to Go Pee” ( The Realist Book Bundle ), “A Visit with Captain Shelby” ( The Enthusiast Book Bundle ), and “A Day at the Beach” ( The Free Spirit Book Bundle ). The books feature photography instead of illustrations because research suggests that babies and toddlers learn the most from books with photos as they’re fascinated by the real world. 

Washable paintsticks for practicing fine motor skills

Crayons and paper are a classic travel pastime that encourages self-expression and builds hand strength needed for writing. For toddlers, paintsticks are ideal as they easily make a mark. 

Lovevery’s Anywhere Art Kit comes with five non-toxic paintsticks and color-coordinated pockets to practice matching. When not coloring, the kit offers a range of practice with fine motor skills: clicking the caps onto the paintsticks, sliding them into the pockets and zipping and unzipping the case (with your help).

Explore The Helper Play Kit

The Helper Play Kit

The Helper Play Kit was designed, tested, and perfected so you and your family can explore counting, separating, understanding routines, planning ahead, rhyming, building spatial awareness, and more.

Play dough busy box for when they want to make a scene

Open-ended crafting on the road may be easier than it sounds with a simple craft supply box and some odds and ends. Plus, it’s a fun way to encourage creativity, help your child develop their fine motor skills, and broaden their understanding of spatial relations through trial and error as they figure out what fits where. 

Fill a craft supply box with goodies that are easily replenished or that you (mostly) don’t mind losing, such as mini containers of play dough, figurines, stickers, scraps of construction or wrapping paper, pipe cleaners, stick-on googly eyes, and the like. You can create themed kits, such as vet clinic or under the sea, or go with an open-ended busy box.

Matching and sorting for cognitive development

Memory and matching games are a perfect way for 2-year-olds to practice early math skills. Both the Things That Move Memory Game and the Reach for the Stars Matching Cards come in small square boxes for easy travel, too.

At first, your toddler can practice matching identical images with the Things That Move cards. Next, they might be ready for more complex sorting and matching by multiple attributes like shape and color.

During your travels, encourage your child to go on a shape scavenger hunt. Model identifying circles, squares, and triangles you see on your adventures. You might even mention more complex shapes, such as an octagon (STOP signs) knowing that anything beyond the most common shapes may be a challenge for your child.

Best travel toys for 3-year-olds

Measuring tape for comparing big and small items.

Need a few minutes to manage some travel logistics? Ask your child to measure each piece of luggage with the Size It Up Measuring Tape . It functions like a standard measuring tape with centimeters, inches, and a button to retract but also has a soft pull tab and colorful tape.

Explore The Problem Solver Play Kit

The Problem Solver Play Kit

Your 3-year-old is naturally curious and wants to experiment with everything. The Problem Solver focuses on collaboration and STEM activities, measurement, color mixing, categorizing, and more.

To practice math concepts, point out the numbers and compare measurements of items. For example, ask your toddler to measure their hand and then measure yours. Which one is bigger? Which one is smaller?

Playing with cars to develop coordination and language skills

The best toys for travel can sometimes involve a toy car full of people. The Two-Seater Speedster with its adult and baby peg people lends itself to long stretches of imaginative play, where the back of car seats, airport handrails, and placemats serve as roads and family members’ arms make good ramps. 

Toy cars can also be vehicles for practicing speech, so be sure to ask your 3-year-old questions that encourage storytelling, such as “Who’s in the car?” and “Where are they going?” Or do your own rendition of “Wheels on the Bus” by singing it as “Wheels on the Car” and making up your own lyrics based on what riders in the car are doing. 

Easy sewing for confidence

Children love it when toys are as close to the real thing as possible. Indulge your child by bringing along their First Sewing Kit , a Montessori-inspired activity for building fine motor skills and concentration.

Explore The Analyst Play Kit

The Analyst Play Kit

At almost 4, your child is ready to take on advanced concepts. The Analyst Play Kit includes more challenging hands-on activities to build fine-motor skills, like puzzles and sensory exploration.

First demonstrate how to use the realistic, child-safe needle by threading string through the large eye. The needle is blunted and can be easily passed through the pre-perforated holes for sewing, helping your 3-year-old feel confident about trying this new skill.  

Finger puppets for storytelling, math, and fine motor coordination

Lovevery families like to travel with some of the Number Sense Nature Counters since they take up little space and are sure bets for busting boredom. Here are a few ways to play: slide some on for a fresh take on thumb wrestling or singing “Where Is Thumbkin?”; encourage your child to see how high they can stack the Counters, noticing which shapes stack more easily and why; make up stories using the Counters as characters (try using a range of voices and emotions for each); practice adding and subtracting—”The foxes ate a mushroom, how many are left?”

Explore The Play Kits

The Play Kits

Give your baby what they’re hungry to learn. The Play Kits are designed to support each stage of development—from birth to age 5.

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Posted in: 13 - 15 Months , 16 - 18 Months , 18 - 48 Months+ , 0 - 12 Months , Fine Motor , Stacking , Matching , Arts & Crafts , Reading , Travel , Playthings , Play & Activities , Playtime & Activities

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Helping therapists find adventure and freedom through travel jobs

Helping therapists find adventure, freedom, and earn more money through travel therapy assignments.

Imagine you're a successful travel therapist

Instead of waiting to travel until you retire you can adventure the country as a traveling therapist

Your days off are not limited to your paid time off. You have the freedom to take extended time off  during the year

You no longer have to stress about money because your income may potentially double (or more!) as a traveling therapist

Rather than feeling stagnant in your professional growth or bored with working in the same environment, you get to learn new professional skills and grow interpersonally

Plus, you have less stress from dealing with office politics and drama that drive you crazy

However, travel therapy is challenging. You could...

• Miss the chance to land your dream assignment because your resume or interview skills were not updated for the travel industry
• Lose money because you didn't know how to compare pay packages and work with multiple recruiters to negotiate a higher rate
• Get scammed out of money on housing
• Feel frustration and like you are being lied to by recruiters because you don't understand how the industry works and how to advocate for yourself
• Be confused reading all of the conflicting information about travel therapy on Facebook forums

Hi I'm your guide to travel therapy

Welcome! My name is Julia and I am the leading expert on how to travel as a therapist. I’m a speech-language pathologist who began travel therapy in 2010. I have over 13 years of experience in this field and have mentored thousands of traveling therapists.

I’m here to teach you how to be a successful traveling therapist who loves the life that you have created for yourself.

Traveling is an amazing career opportunity that can create freedom, personal growth, clinical growth, and gains that you could never achieve otherwise.

While taking travel SLP contracts, I got to work across the United States from Boston to Hawai’i. In the times that I don’t work, I use the freedom from travel to explore the world. I’m only in my thirties and traveled to some ultimate bucket list destinations like Bali, Jordan, Peru, Costa Rica, Thailand, and Tahiti. 

Join me to have a prosperous career as a traveling speech pathologist, physical therapist, or occupational therapist.

I'm here to help you

• Land your dream assignments
• Earn the big bucks to give you freedom and comfort
• Understand the travel industry and avoid frustration
• Be an expert at finding housing and avoiding scams
• Work with multiple recruiters and negotiate for the best pay package
• Live your dream life without the drama or stress of going at it alone
• Be confident in your job search and negotiations to know you're getting the best assignment and deal for you

I know you can do this!

At The Traveling Traveler I know that you want to get out your rut and take a travel therapy assignment. You want to make more money, live comfortably, see the country, expand your clinical skills, and maybe pay off those dreaded student loans. 

In order to accomplish those goals with ease, you need some help. Travel therapy sounds thrilling and exciting, but it also sounds scary and frustrating. 

This isn’t how it has to be. I understand the frustration of being a travel therapist. When I took my first travel SLP job over 10 years ago, there wasn’t even a blog online to help me out. I had to figure out how to do it all on my own. That’s why I started The Traveling Traveler. To help therapists like you leave a job that isn’t suiting you, become a traveling therapist, and elevate your life. 

I created these resources and mentorship for you so you can stop overthinking or worrying and start adventuring and creating a life you love.

You can be a SUCCESSFUL traveling therapist

Here at The Traveling Traveler, we help therapists become a traveling traveler of their own. You can travel the country as a SLP, OT, or PT, earn more money than you ever imagined in the field. You can pay off your debt, take time off, and chase your dreams.

Start by downloading the e-book to get started. Next, join The Guide to Travel Therapy Course. And finally, TRAVEL!

Get CEUs where ever you are

I've partnered with MedBridge Education to bring you high quality CEUs starting at $120/year for SLPs. Click here or use code "TravelTherapy" to save.

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Joystick-Operated Ride-On Toy Navigation Training for Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study

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Sudha Srinivasan , Nidhi Amonkar , Patrick D. Kumavor , Deborah Bubela , Kristin Morgan; Joystick-Operated Ride-On Toy Navigation Training for Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Study. Am J Occup Ther July/August 2024, Vol. 78(4), 7804185070. doi: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2024.050589

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Importance: Children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) require intensive task-oriented training to make meaningful gains in affected upper extremity (UE) motor function.

Objective: To evaluate the acceptability and utility of single joystick-operated ride-on toy (ROT) navigation training incorporated into a modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) camp for children with HCP.

Design: Single group pretest–posttest design.

Setting: Three-wk structured CIMT camp.

Participants: Eleven children with HCP between ages 3 and 14 yr.

Intervention: Children received group-based CIMT for 6 hr/day, 5 days/wk, for 3 wk. As part of camp activities, children also received ROT navigation training for 20 to 30 min/day, 5 days/wk, for 3 wk.

Outcomes and Measures: We assessed children’s acceptance of ROT training by monitoring adherence and evaluating child engagement (affect and attention) during training sessions. The effects of ROT training combined with other camp activities on children’s affected UE motor function were also assessed with the standardized Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test (QUEST) and training-specific measures of ROT maneuvering accuracy.

Results: Children demonstrated high levels of training adherence, positive affect, and task-appropriate attention across weeks. Positive engagement during ROT sessions was correlated with independent navigation. We also found medium- to large-sized improvements in QUEST scores and toy-maneuvering capabilities after the combined program.

Conclusions and Relevance: Our pilot data support the use of joystick-operated ROTs as child-friendly therapy adjuncts that can be incorporated into intensive UE training programs to improve adherence and motivation in therapy programs, boost treatment dosing, and promote affected UE motor function in children with HCP.

Plain-Language Summary: This pilot study offers promising evidence that supports the use of modified single joystick–operated ride-on toys (ROTs) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). The study used ROTs as one of several interventions that were part of a constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) camp program for children with HCP. The ROTs boosted children’s motivation, their engagement with and adherence to training, and their practice in using their affected upper extremity (UE) for goal-directed activities in their natural settings. ROTs are accessible, age-appropriate, and easy-to-use devices for both occupational therapy clinicians and families to encourage children to use their affected UEs by challenging their perceptual, motor-planning, problem-solving, and movement-control skills in an enjoyable and engaging way. ROTs can be used within and outside conventional rehabilitation settings.

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Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Altitude, Area, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

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40 Facts About Elektrostal

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 01 Jun 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy , materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes , offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development .

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy , with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

Elektrostal's fascinating history, vibrant culture, and promising future make it a city worth exploring. For more captivating facts about cities around the world, discover the unique characteristics that define each city . Uncover the hidden gems of Moscow Oblast through our in-depth look at Kolomna. Lastly, dive into the rich industrial heritage of Teesside, a thriving industrial center with its own story to tell.

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Our commitment to delivering trustworthy and engaging content is at the heart of what we do. Each fact on our site is contributed by real users like you, bringing a wealth of diverse insights and information. To ensure the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, our dedicated editors meticulously review each submission. This process guarantees that the facts we share are not only fascinating but also credible. Trust in our commitment to quality and authenticity as you explore and learn with us.

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Ontario provincial park comes with beautiful beaches and a forest therapy trail

Latest Videos

MacGregor Point Provincial Park recently caught my eye while researching for an upcoming trip , and I want to tell you all about it because maybe you're like me and looking for your next great outdoor adventure .

Just three hours from Toronto , MacGregor Point is one of the most ecologically diverse natural places along the Lake Huron shoreline. This all-season park unfolds on a seven-kilometre stretch of coast just south of Port Elgin . 

I'm always looking for ways to enjoy the outdoors solo or with our little kids, so learning that MacGregor Point Provincial Park is home to Ontario Parks' first forest therapy trail made this spot even more attractive for planning our camping trip .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by l a u r e n ☼ (@laurensudds)

One highlight is the Tower Trail, a 3.5 km loop with several mindfulness prompts to help you connect with yourself and nature. The trail is pretty flat and easy, making it more accessible and perfect for families like us with young children.

This trail features a tower that overlooks a wetland, a few boardwalk trails , and a bird blind for discreetly viewing the birds that call the wetland home.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Julia Clark (@julia_takes_a_hike)

If you're looking for something more guided, park interpreters offer a full summer program of activities. These include guided walks by the shore and through silver maple swamps, cattail marshes, ponds, and bogs, which reveal unusual inhabitants. 

Keep an eye out for signs of other local wildlife, from playful beavers and elusive foxes to friendly little snakes and maybe even the occasional bear print!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ontario Parks (@ontarioparks)

You can learn about the carnivorous plants that make this area their home, and in the spring, you might spot the rare Dwarf Lake Iris and the elusive Spotted Turtle.

One of the highlights of visiting MacGregor Point is the opportunity to explore nearby destinations like Chantry Island. This small island, surrounded by shipwrecks , offers two main attractions: the historic lighthouse and the meticulously restored lighthouse keeper's home. 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jen (@because.i.likeit)

Beyond its historical significance, Chantry Island is also a protected sanctuary, designated as one of Ontario's nine Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, making it a must-visit if you love birds and hiking!

If you're like us and have a four-legged friend who loves adventures as much (or probably more) than you do, MacGregor Point welcomes furry friends with open arms . The park features a dog beach and exercise areas, so your pup can enjoy the outdoors just as much as you will.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kat Teeple (@ourwildestories)

This provincial park might offer some of the best sunset views in Ontario. Watching the beautiful colours from the shoreline as the sun disappears behind Lake Huron looks like a breathtaking experience that I'm eager to immerse myself in.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by TravelBugs Destination Events (@travelbugsevents)

All around, MacGregor Point seems like an incredible destination for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.

From exploring the forest therapy trail to simply relaxing by the beach with our dog Tuli, MacGregor Point Provincial Park is definitely in our family's future.

Ontario Parks

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Quieting your mind to meditate can be hard. Here’s how sound can help.

Studies show that when it comes to silencing your mind, sound may be the most effective tool.

Despite its outward simplicity, meditation can be challenging. But recent studies suggest that there’s something that can help usher us into a meditative state: sound.  

Whether you’re vibing to your favorite tune or immersing yourself in a soothing sound bath surrounded by singing bowls, gongs, and chimes, sound not only helps us achieve meditation but can also amplify its benefits.  

What does sound therapy do to the body?

Hilary Curtis, a licensed mental health counselor and executive director of Recovery Unplugged , a national addiction treatment program that uses music as medicine, says that pleasing sounds can positively impact our physiology.  

“We react to music in physiological and emotional terms, as the auditory system is a portal, or doorway, to the vagus complex, the part of the brain and nervous system that controls our overall physiological and emotional regulation,” says Curtis. This nerve plays a crucial role in regulating heart rate, digestion, and stress responses. Activation of the vagus nerve triggers the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter known for its calming effects on the body.  

“Think of elevator music that calms us in a small space with strangers, lullabies for our children, and how playing songs at gatherings heightens our emotional safety and connection to others,” says Curtis.

( Relax with 4+ hours of ASMR on Nat Geo’s “Vibe Check.” )

This response holds significant health implications. Recent studies propose that sound could be a potent tool for reducing chronic stress, a trigger that negatively affects all areas of the body. A 2022 clinical study found that participants exposed to singing bowl sounds during a sound bath reported substantial reductions in depression and tension, as well as an enhanced feeling of well-being.  

What are the benefits of sound in meditation?

You might have noticed that AI-powered watches now offer algorithmic music and soundscapes for stress reduction or that the practitioners who help you manage your health are now incorporating sound therapy into your wellness routine.

Elena Bradford , a yoga teacher certified in sound healing, says that most people live in a state of overactive thinking, overdoing, and stress, making meditation difficult. “Studies have shown, however, that you can go from beta (our everyday, analytical chatter of the mind) to theta (a deep meditative state) within as little as 30 seconds when you incorporate sound into your practice,” Bradford says.  

( What is serotonin—and can you really boost it? )

When that happens, Bradford says the effects are overwhelmingly positive. Clients report relief from pain, decreased stress, feelings of relaxation and calm, a release of repressed emotions, and greater positivity.  

Her observations align with the research. Studies have shown that certain sound frequencies can entrain brainwave patterns, guiding the mind into deep relaxation and meditation. For example, binaural beats , which involve playing two slightly different frequencies in each ear, have been found to synchronize brainwaves and induce states of calmness and focus.  

Moreover, sound therapy has been linked to the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which are associated with feelings of pleasure and well-being. This neurochemical response may contribute to the profound sense of relaxation and positivity reported by individuals after engaging in sound-based practices.  

In a 2020 clinical study , an emWave Pro device was used to measure mood, stress index, and heart rate variability before and after a sound therapy session. Results showed a noticeable improvement in all areas, including reduced tension, anger, fatigue, depression, and confusion.  

( You’ve heard of forest bathing. Now try forest therapy .)

A 2022 study revealed that sound-based interventions, including music therapy and sound baths, effectively reduced pain intensity and improved pain-related quality of life for individuals with chronic pain conditions.  

Another clinical study compared the effects of a 30-minute silent meditation to those of a 30-minute sound meditation. Sound meditators reported significantly less stress, tiredness, and negativity than those who meditated in silence.  

How long do the benefits of sound therapy last ?

As with any wellness program, benefits vary per individual, but practitioners report a direct correlation between consistent practice and the resulting benefits. Bethann Schacht, director of Aurora Counseling Associates , says, “If sound therapy becomes part of your lifestyle—similar to healthy eating and exercise— you should see consistent results.”  

Several experts state that even 10 minutes a day of mindful meditation can profoundly impact stress levels and feelings of overall well-being. So using sound to help you reach that point may “be your biggest return on investment” regarding your emotional and physical health, says Lisette Cifaldi , a master clinical social worker.

(“ Urgency culture” might lead you to burnout. How can you combat it ?)

While sound baths and therapy are increasingly easy to find, Schacht says you can practice using an app like Insight Timer in your home. The free app serves as a meditation timer with ambient sound options, and an upgraded paid subscription includes courses on sound healing.

“Incorporating sound into your meditation practice helps focus your attention inward,” says Schacht. “Thoughts can be tyrants, but sound meditation teaches you to be fascinated by them, to tame your thoughts so they don’t control you.”  

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