Summer- a time that conjures up fun memories, of running ‘round town until dusk, BBQs and baseball. Most children love summer, and the activities that come along with it. Most children attend camp and have a blast. Most children can participate with their peers in a fun game. Most children, but not all. Your client, a child with autism, who works hard all year may not have opportunities to attend camp like others do. If he is socially challenged, he likely has a hard time interacting with other children and keeping up with age-appropriate activities. Summertime does not hold that pull of the great outdoors.
YOU can change that.
You, the child’s dedicated BT have the power and responsibility to teach and encourage each child you treat to engage in outdoor play. It is up to you to provide opportunities that allow children with autism to enjoy outdoor activities while at the same time honing their skills.
While regular camps may cater to all children, there are still plenty of ways for children with autism to have a great time and acquire valuable skills through various outdoor activities.
Let’s maximize these summer months to:
- Build rapport
- Reinforce skills
- Have good ol’ fun!
Fun Outdoor Activities for Children with Autism
Outdoor play not only promotes physical and mental health, but also offers a wealth of sensory experiences and stress reduction opportunities for children with autism. It provides a platform for self-esteem building, as it allows them to achieve goals and establish a sense of accomplishment. Structured play outdoors can offer a comforting sense of routine. By engaging in outdoor activities, children with autism can improve their communication skills, have fun, and explore their interests in an environment conducive to their needs.
Types of Activities:
When selecting outdoor activities for children with autism, it is important to consider their capabilities, interests, and skill set. Make sure to modify activities to the child’s ability and preferences. Different activities offer a range of benefits, all contributing to the overall development and enjoyment of the child.
Here is a list of activity types and their benefits. See which one YOUR client can enjoy.
Sports:
- Enhances physical health
- Develops motor skills, coordination, and muscle strength.
- Assists in sensory processing and adaptation.
- Improves emotional regulation
Outdoor movement activities:
- Improves motor skills, coordination, and strength
- Promotes cognitive and social development
- Enhances spatial awareness, and peer interaction. Outdoor movement activities also have a positive impact on emotional well-being.
- Provides stress relief
Sensory Activities:
- Enhances sensory processing abilities
- Self-regulation and emotional well-being
- Develops language and communication skills
Nature Activities:
- Provides an ideal setting for sensory stimulation and regulation
Fun Outdoor Activities for Your Child with Autism
Now, let’s explore specific activities that can be enjoyed with children with autism in an outdoor setting. While all these activities offer numerous benefits, some may be especially advantageous in specific areas.
Here are some of the many activities that you can enjoy with your child outdoors.
Sensory Friendly:
- Sandbox: Playing in a sandbox provides a rich sensory experience for children with autism. The tactile input of sand can be soothing. Encourage your child to explore different sand textures, build structures, and engage in imaginative play. Consider adding small toys or objects hidden in the sand for a treasure hunt experience and sorting practice.
- Bubbles: Blowing and chasing bubbles is a delightful outdoor activity that engages multiple senses. Watching the colorful bubbles float through the air provides visual stimulation while trying to catch or pop them promotes motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Compare how well different bubble solutions work or home-make the solution with a recipe of your own. Use bubble wands of various shapes to create diverse bubble effects.
- Gardening: Gardening offers numerous benefits for children with autism, including sensory stimulation, fine motor development, and a sense of responsibility. Engage your child in planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables in a designated garden area. Allow them to water the plants, pull out weeds, and observe the growth process. Gardening also promotes patience, environmental awareness, and a connection with the natural world. This is a great way to build confidence in a child who will observe how his consistent efforts sprout results.
Social Opportunities:
- Play on the Playground: Playgrounds offer a variety of equipment that promotes physical activity and sensory integration. Additionally, playgrounds offer opportunities for socialization as children interact and engage in imaginative play together. If the child is on the lower functioning scale, engage him by playing a game. You can roll a ball up and down the slide and instruct him to do the same.
- Soccer: Soccer offers numerous benefits for children with autism, including physical exercise, socialization, and improved motor skills. Participating in soccer can enhance coordination, balance, teamwork, and communication. Consider joining inclusive soccer programs or creating a small soccer group with other children with autism. You can modify the game to the child’s level.
- Hide and Go Seek: Hide and Go Seek is a classic game that promotes social interaction, turn-taking, and problem-solving skills. Playing this game outdoors adds an extra element of adventure and exploration. Encourage your child to take turns being the seeker and the hider. Provide visual or auditory cues to assist in finding hiding spots if needed.
- Tag: Tag is a high-energy game that promotes gross motor skills, social interaction, and cooperation. Playing tag outdoors provides ample space for running, chasing, and navigating obstacles. This is a great way for a hyperactive child with to release his energy in a healthy and positive way. Adapt the rules to match the child’s abilities, such as playing at a slower pace or using visual aids to designate safe zones. Consider introducing variations like freeze tag or flashlight tag for added excitement.
- T-ball: T-ball is a modified version of baseball that is well-suited for young children, including those with autism. It helps improve hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and social interaction. Break down the skills into simple steps and provide visual support if needed. This will provide a fun way to practice the skill of following instructions.
Motor development:
- Hopscotch: Hopscotch is a classic outdoor game that can be adapted to meet the needs of children with autism. This activity promotes motor skills, balance, and coordination. It also enhances cognitive abilities such as counting, sequencing, and following directions. Use colored chalk to create a sensory-rich experience and consider modifying the game to incorporate your child’s specific interests or themes. For example, you can pretend to be Dora the Explorer heading to a specific destination.
- Riding Bike or Scooter: Bike riding and scooting are excellent outdoor activities that encourage physical exercise and gross motor development. In addition, use prompts and play fun games to teach skills. You can prompt “Red” for stop, and “Green” for go.
- Bean Bag Toss: Bean bag toss games provide opportunities for hand-eye coordination, motor control, and turn-taking. This activity can be modified to accommodate different skill levels and interests. Set up targets at varying distances and encourage your child to aim and throw the bean bags towards the targets. Use bean bags with different textures colors or weights to engage sensory exploration.
- Obstacle Course: Creating an outdoor obstacle course is an excellent way to engage your child in physical activity and develop their motor skills. Use everyday objects such as cones, hula hoops, and ropes to set up a course that encourages jumping, crawling, balancing, and climbing. Incorporate sensory elements like textured surfaces or sensory bins along the course to enhance the experience. You can hide a preferred toy somewhere within the course and tell the child to look out for it as they go through as a motivator to get through the entire run. Once complete, you can use it as positive reinforcement.
Communication:
- Scavenger Hunt: Scavenger hunts can be tailored to your child’s interests and abilities, making them a highly engaging outdoor activity. Create a list of items to find or clues to solve and guide your child through the hunt. This activity promotes visual perception, problem-solving, and cooperation. You can focus on nature items like leaves, rocks, or flowers to enhance sensory exploration. Or you can focus on collecting pieces to a game which the child enjoys for extra motivation to complete the activity.
- Frisbee: Frisbee is a fun and inclusive outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by children with autism. Throwing and catching a frisbee promotes hand-eye coordination, motor planning, and social interaction. Start with short distances and gradually increase the challenge as your child develops their skills. Use brightly colored or textured frisbees to add sensory elements to the game. Throw the Frisbee when the child responds correctly to a prompt.
Check out other fun activity ideas HERE from BIA’s playdate resource!
By incorporating these activities into therapy sessions or playtime with children with autism, you can create a stimulating environment that supports development, and is a lot of fun, as well!
Embracing the wonders of the outdoors by providing opportunities for outdoor play can really help children with autism thrive in every aspect of their lives.
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