Build a Back to School Backpack

Children “pack their backpack” with themed school or late-summer items to prepare for an “adventure day.” The printable cards serve as prompts for movement, speech, and sequencing tasks.

How to Play:

Set Up:

• Print and cut out the backpack and item cards.

• Scatter the item cards around the play area (tabletop, room, or outdoor space).

Choose a Game Mode:

• OT Focus: Kids “pack their backpack” in the correct order by using a checklist. Have them pinch, grasp, and place each item in their paper or pretend backpack.

• PT Focus: Place cards across the room and have children hop, skip, crawl, or balance to retrieve them. Adjust movement based on ability level (e.g., bear walks, balance beam).

• SLP Focus: Each time a child picks up a card, prompt them to say the item name, describe it (color, shape, use), or answer a language-based question like, “What do we use this for at school?”

Adventure Wrap-Up:

• Once all items are collected, kids can “unpack” their backpacks and retell the steps in order.

• Encourage story-building: “Today I packed my backpack with a pencil, a lunchbox, and a jump rope because…”