These are definitely worth doing. Upper body strengthening (including digits), coordination, and visual motor skills get a workout and it is so much fun! SUPPLIES: cardboard(we used a discarded box), scissors, and a coin (penny, nickel, or quarter). Colored paper and glue is optional. DIRECTIONS: Using the...
Inner thigh ROM is often neglected in kids. They don't have to climb up a wagon or ride a horse to get anywhere, thus, their legs are weaker and often not conditioned with limited range of motion (ROM). Doing this can also be good for...
Body Socks are a great addition to an obstacle course, providing some kids the proprioceptive feedback they need to their sensory system. Other kids prefer to be squashed between to cushions. And some kids just like both. OPTION: We had a client carry two containers filled...
Tires! Jump in them, jump around them, roll them, walk on them, stack them, paint them, and wash them. They are cooooool! Kids dig working with them! They see car tires often and it makes them feel tough! OPTIONS: You can fill them with sand or...
Clients enjoy color, so add it when you can. Make writing practice more fun with colored paper or sticky note squares. Have clients keep their letters within the colored squares. You can gradually decrease their size so kids learn to write with smaller letters. This can...
Here is a therapy task that addresses body awareness (especially digits), asymmetrical bilateral upper extremity coordination, hand strength, drawing, and visual motor skills. SUPPLIES: Yarn, tape (to hold down yarn ends), pencil, glue stick, 2 different colors of paper (we used yardstick for the yellow), and...
If you do not have time to color some bugs to put on your obstacle course, we have you covered. These can also be used as examples for coloring. OPTIONS: Using games or challenges with bugs are usually a hit with kids. Bugs move and are...
Crossing midline is important for not just physical benefits but also for the brain. Balancing activities also assist the brain development that affects skills such as reading, math, and activities of daily living (ADL's) such as donning socks. Balancing is also important, so this activity gets...
This is a favorite tool for "Whole Body Listening". Invaluable in many autism classrooms, this gives kids a visual without having to talk with them and they can see what part of their body may not be in a listening position. For example, if their feet...
PT: PT's will often place these around an obstacle course or make a path. Don't forget to print one out for clients to take home to make their own obstacle course if you want to promote therapy follow thru. OT: Use this as a jump and...