Naz's
Fun & Games Tips

Wheelchair Tray Toy Holder: I've received several good suggestions to keep toys on a wheelchair tray or table top:

Cover for tray ~ Sew a cover for the tray with various snaps, ribbons, keychains and sew on patches of non-adhesive Velcro strips and then attach her toys ~ {Liz K}

Velcro ~ attach to the toy and to the tray or table - also you can use blue tac ~ {Flo^} Non-latex adhesive would work for those with a latex allergy, but make sure to call the manufacturer first to be certain. ~ {Liz K}

Shoe Strings ~ Make an attachment loop or hole in the tray and tie toys on using shoestrings, yarn, etc. ~ {Marion} or hot glue leather shoe strings to the tray and either tie or hot glue to the toys {Carol}

Webbing ~ find an oblong piece of webbing or netting and attach one loop from each end on the "legs" on top of the tray and under the tray before putting the tray on. Then tie toys on to the webbing. ~ {Marion}

Dycem ~ a sticky substance which is made especially for this kind of application (Sammons Preston Enrichments Catalog) or try Easy Liner by Manco (found in the shelf paper section at Wal-Mart). Both products are latex-free. {Our-Kids List Members}

C Clamps ~ found at a hardware or department store can be used to attach switches, busy boxes, tape recorders, or electronic keyboards, or to tie the shoe strings to! {Marny} (Note from Naz: please be careful of hardware beneath the tray, as it's unseen and could cause injury.)

Suction Cups ~ attach suction cups (hot glue?) to toys and then attach to tray. This won't work if the tray is textured. {Jenn}

Matching game: Using a desktop publishing program & my colour printer, I printed out 2 identical grids with 6 squares with animals etc. I then cut apart one grid. I took these grids to my local copy shop & had them laminate the cards individually & other sheet as an entire sheet. (I got this idea after buying a match game of colours that was made this way) ~ {Anne MacLellan}

Magi Shepley, a Spec. Ed. teacher, suggests adding Velcro or magnets to the cards for kids with fine-motor problems. She has also used this method with Mayer-Johnson symbols and/or simple words.

"Water toys": My son gets restless waiting (i.e. for doctor). I purchased "water toys" (toys with dripping coloured oil) from a game store...they're silent. You can also get them at educational science stores or an "executive toy store". They keep kids amused quietly and can be tucked in your purse. They are also very calming and a basic sensory toy useful for autistic children who may not play with any other toys. For a long time, they were the only toy my autistic would play with. Although he now plays with toy trucks and figurines, he still finds these "water toys" very soothing when he is anxious. They are cheapest before Christmas. I also bought a "tornado tube" joint from a child's toy store, added 2 large clear pop bottles filled with water & sparkles (this is too large to take into the community). ~ {Anne MacLellan}

Playing card holder: Take two rigid butter tub lids and staple them together top sides facing each other, with two staples close to each other right in the middle. Place cards in holder and fan them out. ~ {Stacey Shuman}

Morning Entertainment: For a child who can't get out of bed by themselves, hang interesting pictures on the ceiling so they're not bored while waiting for Mom or Dad to come get them in the morning ~ {Flo^}

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