Toy Highlight: Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Piggy Bank

Piggybank toys are fan favorites during physical therapy sessions for children as young as six months through early childhood. Not only does a toy piggy bank act as a great way for babies to learn cause and effect, but–like most toys with pieces–it can also be surprisingly adaptable to games for older children. See below for some of our favorite ways to play! 

• Sitting Practice 
  For babies learning to balance, a piggy bank positioned in front of your child can help them learn to keep their weight forward. As they grow more stable, have your child stretch to reach new coins, testing the limits of their sitting balance. 
  
  
• Tip Toes
  With coins held or taped above arm’s reach, have your child rise onto tiptoes to build foot and ankle strength. 
  
  
• Squats or Sit to Stands 
  Split up the coins and the piggybank so that one is positioned at eye level on a surface, and one is on the floor. Help your child build leg strength as they transition between standing and sitting or squatting to grab and put away coins! 
  
  
• Obstacle Courses
  Place coins at one end of a mobility challenge (you can use pillows, step stools, and painters tape to create simple home obstacle courses!) and place the piggybank at the other. Retrieve coins one at a time, practicing mobility skills as they navigate the course. You can also simultaneously practice colors, counting, or animal sounds while discussing the pictures on each coin! 
  
  
• Single Leg Balance 
  With your child standing in front of the piggybank, gently place a coin in the slot and have your child push it down with their foot.
  
  
• Scavenger Hunts
  Hide coins throughout a room, and practice animal walks while hunting to find them! Bear, penguin, crab, frog, and duck are all great animal walks to try! 

Looking for more ways to maximize PLAY? Check out our other blogs for at home activities!