SENSORY FUN FOR YOUR KIDDOS DURING THE CORONA QUARANTINE

It’s tough on everyone being home all day, but it is especially tough on our parents and kiddos with ASD.    Trying to juggle work, homeschooling them and their siblings, and keep everyone on a schedule is hard.    Finding new, fun activities to do that will keep their attention for a little while can be challenging.    Sensory based activities, depending on your child, will often be very reinforcing.    We’ve put together a list of some of our and our kids’ favorites.

1)   PAINTING WITH SHAVING CREAM OR PUDDING.    

Just clear a table and pour the pudding or shaving cream directly on it and let the kids go to town.     Shaving cream is nice and clean but pudding is good for our guys who are mouthers.

2)   BINS FILLED WITH BEANS, RICE, OR WATER BEADS

Water beads are the BEST, but beans and rice work well too.     Just take a big Tupperware bin – big enough for the kids to be able to really get their hands in there (and sometimes their feet!) and play.    It’s fun to hide small toys in the substance also for them to look for.   

3)   MAKE OOO GLOB OR SLIME

Using corn starch and water.     Mix the two until you have the glob at the consistency that you like.     You can add glitter to it, as well!   It can be stored in a Ziploc bag or a Tupperware container.   

4)   KINETIC SAND AND PLAY DOH

Hiding small toys in either of these is a fun activity for kids.

5)   WATER PLAY WITH CUPS, POTS AND PANS, AND OTHER UTENSILS

The more space the better.    If you have a water table, even better.    Water play can literally entertain for hours.      Giving the children paintbrushes and letting them paint the sidewalk and driveway with water is fun, clean and harmless, as well.

6)   “HEAVY WORK”

This is very calming and grounding for many children.    Having them move appropriately heavy boxes from one place to another or pushing a chair from one side of the room to another is heavy work.     Carrying a bean bag would also qualify.     Try to make it functional, if at all possible.    Have them help you around the house and incorporate heavy work in wherever you can.

For many of our children on the spectrum, having sensory friendly activities can ground and calm them.    And most importantly, for a little sanity for mom and dad, these activities can often hold their attention for a while.   

Please feel free to comment and add any ideas that have worked for your kiddos!