Evidence‑Based Guide for Schools, Therapists, Rehabilitation and Home Use
In classrooms, therapy clinics and rehabilitation settings, therapy putty has become an increasingly common tool used to support children’s development. Once limited to clinical rehabilitation, it is now widely used by occupational therapists, physiotherapists and educators to strengthen hands, provide sensory input and help children remain engaged during learning activities.
Movement and sensory feedback play an important role in how children focus, learn and perform everyday tasks. Therapy putty combines resistance exercise with tactile stimulation, helping develop grip strength, finger coordination and hand control while also promoting calm, organised attention. This dual physical and sensory benefit makes it suitable for both therapeutic programmes and everyday classroom use.
Strong hand function underpins many essential childhood skills, from handwriting and tool use to dressing, eating independently and participating confidently in play and sport. With increasing screen use and fewer hands-on activities, therapists are observing reduced hand strength in many children, making structured hand exercises more important than ever.
At Meglio, we work closely with therapists and rehabilitation professionals across the UK and Europe, where practical clinical experience continues to demonstrate that simple, progressive hand exercises using graded resistance tools can significantly improve engagement, confidence and functional outcomes for both children and adults.
What Is Therapy Putty? (Clinical and Educational Perspective)
Therapy putty is a specialised hand-exercise material designed to improve strength, coordination and sensory awareness. It can be stretched, squeezed, rolled and manipulated to train the small muscles of the hands that are essential for writing, dressing, sports participation and everyday independence.
Therapy Putty vs Playdough, Slime and Other Sensory Materials
Many families already use playdough, slime or similar materials at home. While all provide sensory experiences, therapy putty differs because it is designed with therapeutic purpose in mind.
Playdough is excellent for creative modelling but tends to dry out and offers limited strengthening resistance. Slime provides tactile stimulation but little structured muscle activation. Silly-putty style toys stretch well but are not manufactured with progressive resistance levels.
Therapy putty, by contrast, is developed specifically for rehabilitation and strengthening, allowing children and patients to gradually increase difficulty as strength improves.
Therapy Putty Exercises for Children (Therapist‑Inspired Activities)
Before starting exercises:
• Use therapy putty at a table or stable surface.
• Sessions of 5–10 minutes are usually sufficient.
• Choose a resistance level appropriate to the child’s strength.
• Exercises should feel challenging but never painful.
Foundational Hand Strengthening Exercises Used in Therapy
Finger Squeeze
Place the putty in the palm and slowly squeeze using all fingers. Hold briefly before releasing. Supports: overall grip strength and endurance.
Thumb Press
Flatten the putty and repeatedly press the thumb into it while stabilising with the other hand. Supports: Pencil grip and thumb control.
Pinch Builder
Pinch small pieces of putty using thumb and fingertips, alternating between fingers. Supports: precision and fine motor coordination.
Putty Roll
Roll the putty into a long shape using both hands on a table. Supports: bilateral coordination and wrist stability.
Finger Stretch
Wrap a thin strip of putty around the fingers and gently open the hand against resistance. Supports: finger extension balance.
Twist and Turn
Hold both ends of the putty and twist slowly in opposite directions. Supports: forearm strength and coordination.
Thumb Lift
Loop putty around the thumb and gently lift upward against resistance. Supports: thumb stability essential for writing tasks.
Pull Apart
Stretch and separate sections repeatedly as if tearing soft bread. Supports: endurance and muscle activation.
Fingertip Press
Place putty on the table and press into it using fingertips only. Supports: finger isolation and control.
Play‑Based Therapy Putty Activities for Focus, Learning and Sensory Regulation
Treasure Hunt
Hide small safe objects inside the putty and encourage children to find them using only their fingers.
Alphabet or Number Search
Hide letters or numbers and ask children to identify them by touch before looking.
Shape Maker
Roll and form animals, letters or geometric shapes.
Stamp & Pattern Play
Flatten putty and press stamps or household objects to create textures and designs.
Container Challenge
Spread putty to fill lids or containers of different shapes.
Colour Mixer
Combine two colours to create a new shade while strengthening hands.
Mystery Object Game
One person presses an object into the putty while another guesses what created the impression.
Quiet Classroom Fidget
Allow gentle squeezing during reading or listening tasks to support sustained attention.
Creative Free Play
Encourage children to invent their own games and imaginative uses for therapy putty.
Choosing the Correct Therapy Putty Resistance Level
Therapy putty typically comes in progressive resistance levels ranging from extra soft to extra firm. Beginners or younger children generally start with softer putty, while stronger users or rehabilitation progression may require firmer resistance.
Progression should be gradual, increasing resistance only when exercises become easy to perform.
Why Therapy Putty Works: Clinical Reasoning and Sensory Science
Therapy putty works because it combines strengthening, sensory input and active movement. Resistance builds muscle capacity, tactile feedback supports nervous system regulation, and repetitive motion helps organise attention and concentration.
Few tools successfully bridge rehabilitation, education and wellbeing in such a simple format.
Final Thoughts: A Simple Tool with Clinical, Educational and Everyday Benefits
In an increasingly digital world, opportunities for children to develop strong, coordinated hands are becoming less common. Therapy putty provides a practical and evidence-informed way to support physical development, emotional regulation and focused learning.
Whether used in schools, therapy clinics or at home, it offers a simple yet powerful approach to helping children build strength, improve focus and gain confidence in everyday activities.
Medical Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional or therapist for individual rehabilitation programmes.
