#274 - Our 5 Favorite Scooter Board Activities

by Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC September 20, 2023

#274 - Our 5 Favorite Scooter Board Activities

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Our 5 Favorite Scooter Board Activities

The scooter board is a common therapeutic tool used in just about every clinic and school. It’s a simple, effective tool that targets a ton of underlying skills. Because it’s one of our favorite pieces of equipment to use in a treatment session, we decided to dedicate an entire episode to it!

We are giving you 5 fun, therapeutic activities using a scooter board that you should try including into your next treatment session! Be sure to modify as needed to meet your client’s needs!

Parents! This episode is also great for YOU! Try some of these activities with your child and add them into the daily sensory diet routine!

Scooter Board (Amazon)

Gross Motor Skills Activity Course

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Our 5 Favorite Scooter Board Activities

The scooter board is undeniably one of the key therapeutic tools in occupational therapy. It holds a prominent position in the weekly activities of many therapists, offering a wide range of engaging experiences and playing a vital role in facilitating therapy sessions.

What's A Scooter Board? 

A scooter board is a flat plastic board with four wheels on the bottom, sometimes equipped with handles. Unlike the standing scooters with two or three wheels, these rectangular ones allow sitting or lying on them. 

They are commonly used in occupational therapy to enhance balance, coordination, strength, and motor planning skills. These boards also come in various sizes and colors, catering to the unique needs of each individual. 

How To Use The Scooter Board 

Operating a scooter board is straightforward but requires specific techniques to ensure safety and optimal performance. First and foremost, confirm that the wheels are not locked and that the rolling surface is suitable.

To move the board, utilize either your feet or hands, propelling it in various directions - forward, backward, or side-to-side. Maintaining a solid core and good posture while using the board is crucial.

Maximize Benefits Of Using A Scooter Board

Integrating a scooter board into various functional settings offers tremendous benefits. Its versatility opens up countless possibilities during therapy sessions, making it an indispensable tool. 

Here are five ways to enhance progress in your next session by incorporating a scooter board:

  • Focus on synchronizing the movements of your limbs: Propel yourself forward or backward by using one arm at a time, and alternate between legs to promote bilateral coordination when seated.
  • Promote an open hand posture when propelling forward using your fingertips: Envision having agile fingers, like those of a frog or a monkey, securely grasping the ground to drive yourself ahead.
  • Target core and neck strength during supine activities: Place a beanbag or a small stuffed animal under the child's chin to support and encourage proper muscle engagement.
  • Prioritize the child's comfort and sense of control: Demonstrate the required force and strength to the child first to help them understand and visualize the proper execution.
  • Participating alongside the child: Using a second scooter board can foster a stronger connection and build trust between the child and adult. It also promotes imitation and social skills.

5 Top Activities With A Scooter Board

These activities are suitable for toddlers, teens, and adults of all ages and can be customized to offer a stimulating experience for every child.

The Supine Wall Push

  • Begin by lying on your back (supine) on the scooter board, gently flexing your neck by tucking your chin towards your chest, and lifting your head off the ground. 
  • Find a comfortable hand position, either by holding onto the sides of the scooter or crossing your hands over your chest. 
  • Place both feet on the wall at a 90-degree level, then push your feet off the wall, moving the scooter board and yourself backward. 

Scooter Board As An Ab Roller

You can choose between two hand placements on the scooter board for this activity. Such as:

Place your hands on the scooter board handles

  • Start by positioning your knees on the carpet, then roll the scooter board forward while extending your arms straight out.
  • To complete the motion, gently retract the scooter board towards you, alternating between outward and inward movements.

Place your hands flat on the surface of the scooter board.

  • Place your hands flat on the ground and your feet on the scooter board.
  • Draw your feet inwards towards your chest, extending them straight as if preparing for a push-up, and then pull them back towards your chest. 

Propelling Yourself With Your Feet While Seated

  • While seated on the scooter, tightly grasp the handles and push yourself around the room using your heels. 
  • Encourage the child to move their legs in a reciprocating manner, similar to when they walk with one foot at a time. 

Prone On The Scooter Board While Reading A Visual Chart

  • Lie on your stomach (prone) on the scooter board using your arms to propel yourself forward and backward. 
  • As you come forward, read the visual chart and then push yourself back, continuing to read the chart. 

Supine Scootering While Putting Rings On A Cone 

  • Lie on your back (supine) and skillfully position rings onto cones or delicately balance balls atop cones.

  • Ensure that you turn your head from left to right while placing the item, ensuring proper placement and positioning.

  • You can use a ball or a stuffed animal to encourage tucking the chin towards the chest.

Remember, Make Activities Functional

Maximizing the effectiveness of scooter board activities requires engaging and meaningful tasks. Simply propelling oneself down the ramp in a superman extension and repeatedly pulling oneself back up falls short of meeting this criteria.

Incorporating pretend play scenarios can engage a child's imagination and provide a fun and functional way to practice motor skills. This interactive approach not only sparks creativity but also enhances their physical development.

It is essential to customize activities based on a child's abilities and interests while ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience that targets specific areas of development. With the proper techniques and activities, a scooter board can be a valuable addition to any therapy session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS

While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.

Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.


This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.

Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC
Jessica Hill, COTA/L & Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, AC

Rachel Harrington, COTA/l, AC, CPRCS, and Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS are Harkla's in-house Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTA) and Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists. They have been working with children for over 6 years in outpatient settings. They specialize in creating easy-to-digest, actionable content that families can use to help their child's progress at home. Jessica and Rachel are the in-house experts, content creators, and podcast hosts at Harkla! To learn more about Jessica and Rachel, visit the Harkla About Us Page. Make sure to listen to their weekly podcast, All Things Sensory by Harkla for actionable, fun advice on child development.


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