There are plenty of fun activities to do at home!
As the summer winds down and families gear up for school season, you may be running out of activities to fill out the rest of the summer. For kids with disabilities, having a meticulously-planned summer schedule is necessary for them to feel stable and in control. Here are a few ideas for fun activities to keep you summer days packed with fun until school starts.
Fun Activities in the Backyard
Summer vacation is all about trips to the beach and overnight camp, but sometimes the most fun to be had is in your own backyard. Here are a few different ways that you and your child can explore the magic of your own backyard.
- Catch fireflies together.
- Draw with sidewalk chalk.
- Play with hula hoops and on the swingset (this is great for proprioception!).
- Play with bubbles.
Indoor Fun
When the weather’s not cooperating, you can take the fun indoors with a few games and activities. You may already have a few special play areas set up around the home, like a sensory table and a sensory hideout. Here are a few additional ways to keep your child occupied when it’s raining outside.
- Build a pillow fort.
- Have a family game night. To increase your child’s sense of stability and predictability, you can schedule a family game night for the same day every week.
Go Somewhere New
Sometimes, a change of scenery is in order. Paying a visit to somewhere new is a great opportunity to work on social skills and can be a great learning experience as well. Here are a few places you can visit as a family:
- Museums (check for special exhibits and discounts!)
- Go on a road trip to see a few famous landmarks.
- Go camping and learn about nature.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (202) 561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or (301) 577-4333 (Lanham office). Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.
Source: 1