Helpful Apps for Improving Fine Motor Skills & Spatial Awareness

As society progresses toward a more technological world, so does occupational therapy. Technological advancements like the iPad not only provide cutting edge visual aids, but they're also extremely effective at addressing a wide range of occupational challenges. These gadgets offer limitless opportunities for clients to develop new skills and connect with the world around them. 

Today, I would like to highlight some top apps that are great for developing Fine Motor Skills & Spatial Awareness. 

Dexteria VMI: Helps individuals practice their fine motor, visual tracking, and visual perceptual skills through the completion of varying aesthetically pleasing activities. ($5.49) 

Busy Shapes: Helps the user to improve their ability to identify and manipulate simple objects through a series of puzzles. Although geared to a younger age group (ages 2-5) Busy Shapes helps individuals improve basic orientation and spatial awareness skills. ($3.99)

POV:  This App teaches spatial reasoning and left and right discrimination skills through repeatable and engaging activities. ($5.49)

Cut the Buttons: This App helps to improve finger dexterity and accuracy by using virtual scissors to cut buttons off of pieces of fabric. The user must manipulate their index finger and thumb to open and close the scissors. ($2.79)

Fruit Ninja: Although this App has been around for a while, it remains one of my favourites! Users must slice through virtual fruit with the swipe of their finger. Not only is this game highly addictive, but it is fantastic for working on visual tracking and improving reaction time. (Free) 

Pinch Peeps: This cute and engaging App helps develop fine motor skills (pinching and dragging) as well as hand-eye coordination using basic matching. (Free) 

These are just a few of the many Apps out their that can be utilized by therapists and families to help children these skills!  

Please contact me if you'd like more recommendations!