Resources & Recommendations

Every product here is personally chosen by Kendra, an Occupational Therapist and Ali, a

Speech-Language Pathologist— two moms and two clinicians who only share what

they truly believe in.

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase — at no extra cost to

you. Those commissions help us keep our blogs and resources free for families. We would never

recommend something we wouldn’t use ourselves.

Ready to shop? Browse all our picks in one place on our Amazon storefront.

Or browse by topic below to see why we recommend each product →

Infant Toys & Play

Breastfeeding, Bottles & Baby Feeding

Tummy Time & Movement Basics

OT + SLP Picks

Rattles, teethers, infant toys, and cause-and-effect tools chosen for brain development from birth.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Breastfeeding supplies, bottles, nipples, and feeding tools that support healthy oral development from day one.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Mats, props, mirrors, and positioning tools that build the foundation for crawling and walking.

See Why We Recommend

Gross Motor & Active Play Toys

Outdoor & Nature Play

Fine Motor & Hands-On Toys

OT + SLP Picks

Balance, climbing, jumping, and coordination toys that build strong bodies and burn energy — broken down by age.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Sand and water tables, nature kits, and outdoor tools that build strong bodies and regulated nervous systems.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Scissors, tweezers, lacing cards, and toys that build hand strength and writing readiness.

See Why We Recommend

Communication & Language Toys

Mealtime & Self-Feeding

OT + SLP Picks

Ali's top picks for toys that build vocabulary, imitation, turn-taking, and early communication skills.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Cups, utensils, bowls, and divided plates that support the developmental skill of independent eating.

See Why We Recommend

Visual Schedules & Routine Tools

Connection, Bonding & Feelings

Picky Eater Support

OT + SLP Picks

Schedule cards, first-then boards, timers, and tools that reduce transition struggles and build independence.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Feeling cards, emotion dolls, bonding kits, and tools that build empathy, connection, and emotional vocabulary.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Food exploration kits, texture tools, and resources that make expanding a picky eater's diet less stressful.

See Why We Recommend

Life Skills & Independence

Books for Kids

Books and Resources for Parents

OT + SLP Picks

Child-size cleaning tools, dressing aids, toothbrushing tools, and chore charts that build real-life capability.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Social stories and picture books that build emotional vocabulary, empathy, and self-regulation through storytelling.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

The brain-based parenting books Kendra and Ali actually read — sensory, self-regulation, positive parenting, and picky eating.

See Why We Recommend

Self-Regulation & Calming Tools

Sensory Play Supplies

Sleep & Bedtime Tools

OT + SLP Picks

Breathing boards, calm-down corner supplies, body socks, and weighted blankets to help kids return to calm.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

Sensory bins, kinetic sand, fidgets, and tactile materials that build and organize the nervous system through play.

See Why We Recommend
OT + SLP Picks

White noise machines, OK-to-wake clocks, weighted sleep products, and tools for a calm sleep environment.

See Why We Recommend

NEW HERE? WELCOME.

We're two pediatric therapists — and two moms — who believe every family deserves a strong start.

Skidamarink Kids exists because we were tired of only helping families after struggles started. We created this space to give parents brain-based tools from the very beginning — covering everything from feeding and movement to communication, sensory processing, self-regulation, and connection.

All of our blogs are free. Our goal is to walk alongside you with both clinical expertise and the honesty of moms who didn’t get everything right either.

© 2025 Skidamarink Kids. All rights reserved.