It can be tough to find activities to participate with your children and even harder for families who have a child with special needs that they will enjoy and be suitable for them.
Here are some fun activities that your child is sure to find engaging, they are great for children with special needs because they help promote physical activity, social interaction, and creativity.
#1 – Going to the park or playground
Parks and playgrounds provide plenty of opportunities for stimulation, including swings, slides, monkey bars, roundabouts, zip wires and climbing structures. Going to the places can be fun for everyone. Playing with chalk on the pavement, climbing through playground structures and running around are great ways to let off some steam. Even though children with special needs may not do all of these activities without help from a parent or caregiver, they can still enjoy themselves at the park or playground.
#2 – Visiting a zoo or aquarium
Both zoos and aquariums offer a variety of animals and aquatic life to view. Many also have areas where children with special needs can explore without worrying about large crowds or loud noises. This can be overwhelming for children with a sensory processing disorder. Keep in mind that visiting these places can be fun and educational, they can also be very busy and chaotic. Try to choose a quieter time such as weekday mornings when most people are at work or school, if you want to avoid crowds. Once there, allow your child plenty of opportunities to explore at their own pace.
#3 – Going to the beach
Going to the beach is not just calming for us adults but special needs children as well, let them build sandcastles or just run on the beach it will help take away the frustration and use up that energy. Take them for a dip as well the water helps to relax them and a great sensory exercise.
#4 – Going for a walk or ride
A leisurely walk or bike ride around the local community can provide plenty of stimulation and fresh air. It's an opportunity to get some fresh air and enjoy nature simultaneously. For children with disabilities, it can be even more beneficial. If you don't have a bike trail near you, take a walk around the neighborhood or in a park. If your child is a wheelchair user, seek advice on the suitability of the terrain before you set off.
#5 – Baking
Baking is a great activity and there are many ways to make it fun and therapeutic for your child with learning disabilities or other special needs. The benefits of baking includes:
Improves fine motor skills: As your child uses their hands to mix ingredients, scoop batter into pans, or decorate cookies, they are working their fine motor skills.
Gets your child to explore textures: Baking lets children experiment with different food textures in a safe environment. They can see and feel the difference between wet and dry ingredients and how they interact with each other.
Builds maths skills: They will understand how to measure (a cup or a tablespoon). They will also have to learn how much of each ingredient they need, which is an excellent way to practice their maths skills.
Teaches responsibility: Baking teaches children about food safety and cleanliness. For example, they can learn about washing their hands and utensils before baking. They will also learn to follow a recipe and be patient while their food is baking. Now that we know some of the benefits, let's get into how you can make baking fun for your child:
Get them involved in the grocery shopping process: Let them choose which ingredients to buy or have them help you measure them out.
Let them help you cook: Even if they are just stirring or adding ingredients in your direction, let them help in the kitchen. It will give them a sense of accomplishment and make baking more fun.
Make it a social activity: Bake with friends or family members. Not only will it be more fun for your child, but they will also learn social skills.
Bake themed items: Have your child help you make cookies or cupcakes in the shape of their favourite animal, character, or object. This can add an extra level of fun to baking.
Let them experiment: Let your child be creative and experiment with different ingredients and flavours. They might come up with a new recipe that they can add to your family's repertoire!
Use fun tools: Get a kid-sized baking set or use measuring cups and spoons in the shape of animals. Anything that makes the activity more fun for your child will help keep them engaged while baking.
Make it a contest: See who can make the best-looking or best-tasting cookies or cupcakes. This will add some competition and excitement to the baking process. Now that you know how to make baking fun for your child, get in the kitchen and start cooking! Your child is sure to have a good time while they improve their skills.
