Springtime Activities for Children with Autism

Spring is around the corner and so is warmer weather! If your child is interested in spending more time outside, here are some safe and engaging sensory activities for your child with Autism:

1. Sidewalk chalk: Creating art with chalk is a great way to boost creativity, encourage self-expression, and decorate your driveway or sidewalk! Let your child’s imagination expand with colors, shapes, numbers, letters and drawings. You can even join in on the art fun with your child by playing a game of hopscotch or tic tac toe.

2. Spring-themed sensory bins: Sensory bins are always a big hit for children with sensory needs. You can have your child participate in picking out the materials used to fill up a spring-themed sensory bin which will encourage independence, compromise, and self-expression. Pebbles, rocks, flowers, plastic bugs, colored sprinkles, and mini toys are just some of the many options you and your child can use to fill the bin up.

3. Plant a garden: Planting a garden is a great way to teach a child teamwork and sharing. Gardening also works on both fine and gross motor skills as it is a great outdoor workout! You can provide the foundational ideas for a garden by asking your child to pick out their favorite flower, vegetable, fruit or plant. Then, they can help you purchase the greenery and start the garden. Initially, you can walk your child through each individual step of gardening and eventually have them complete the steps on their own.

4. Picnic: Picnics are a great springtime activity. You can encourage your child to help prepare the picnic by asking them about their favorite handheld foods. This activity also teaches a child compassion and perspective taking by encouraging them to ask about what other people may want to eat at the picnic. After eating, allow your child to read, play games, or do their favorite activity.