Bouncing Putty

This bouncing putty provides a multi-faceted sensory and fine motor activity with a range of therapeutic benefits. Its unique viscoelastic properties, combining a soft yet firm texture with resilient bounce, make it an engaging manipulative for individuals across developmental stages. The act of shaping the putty into a ball and engaging in throwing and catching activities promotes the development of hand-eye coordination, timing, and gross motor control. The tactile input derived from the putty's texture, coupled with the proprioceptive feedback elicited from bouncing and manipulating it, can have a calming and focusing effect, making it a valuable tool for self-regulation and attention modulation. Furthermore, the putty's pliable nature facilitates creative expression, allowing individuals to mold, roll, pinch, and sculpt it into diverse forms, thus fostering fine motor skills, hand strength, and dexterity. ²  The putty's tendency to firm up upon exposure to air can be incorporated into therapeutic interventions, providing a natural consequence and promoting understanding of cause and effect, as well as encouraging planning and sequencing skills. While the novelty of its bouncy nature may be a primary motivator, the putty's therapeutic potential extends beyond simple play, offering a rich medium for skill development, sensory exploration, and creative expression within occupational therapy interventions.