The Autism Outreach Center’s Summer Guide to Fun!
July 12, 2010 – 3:45 pm
With more free time, many are wondering about fun activities for autistic children. Here is a list of fun, inexpensive activities to keep your child busy while encouraging learning.
1. Water Balloons - Autistic children can often benefit from various sensory stimulators and water balloons can fit the bill. Tossing them about, or holding and squishing them can be lots of fun.
2. Musical Instruments- Make musical instruments out of things that you already have at home. Recycled bottles work great! Place things such as rice or pasta to make interesting sounds. You can also decorate the outside by painting it or tying ribbons around it.
3. Color Pasta- Use different kinds of pasta to paint, kids will love painting, but they also can make necklaces, bracelets, mosaics, or even picture frames with them.
4. Collages- Do you have any old pictures? Does your child have a favorite cartoon or singer? Use old magazines, newspapers, pictures or drawings to make collages that your child will adore making, but also hanging up as decoration.
5. Visit a Park- Outdoor play, targeted to address motor skills goals, can be a great tool for the reinforcement of the work done in physical therapy sessions. Toys that encourage climbing, such as jungle gyms or slides can provide great gross motor reinforcement. Playing catch or Frisbee can enhance eye-hand coordination, and tunnels that encourage crawling can support the development muscle strength and general coordination.
6. Play Board games- Use simple board games such as Sorry! or a card matching game to keep your child entertained. If you do not have access to toys, you can make your own. Use recycled paper or bottles, to cut out shapes or color coordinate them to match. You can also stop by The Autism Outreach Center to use our toy room!
