The festive season is over for another year, and the kids still have a few weeks left of school holidays. Summer is a chance to play, rest and enjoy a change of pace. The shift in environment, pace, and routine can be difficult for children with autism (ASD) or other sensory processing disorders, so create a summer fun timetable to display what is happening and when.
If the appeal of new presents is already starting to wane, why not try a few of our summer activities to keep your little one’s minds busy and hands active? Summer is a fantastic time to embrace new experiences and explore new sensory activities, which may help improve sensory processing and reduce.
Be sure to pay close attention to signs of frustration or overstimulation; that way, you’ll know when to take a break and reset everyone’s expectations.
- Explore the kitchen by teaching your young ones how to prepare food. A simple task like peeling potatoes to make oven-baked chips is not only a handy life skill but also improves fine motor control – and best of all, you get to enjoy the chips when they are cooked! Bring new summer fruits and vegetables home to try and prepare them together, explaining what to do step by step.
- Bring the beach to your backyard. Sand and water tables are wonderful sensory play toys. Choose one with a lid to keep it from collecting debris (leaves, bugs) when it’s not in use. You can create a simple sensory sand play toy by filling a large container with a bag of white sand from your local hardware store. Have a second container full of water, and don’t forget to add some accessories like spades, scoops, sieves, spoons, and more.
- Create a pool playdate with a friend. Public pools often have play areas for kids, so consider meeting up with a friend for a splash around. The sounds and smells can be overwhelming for those with sensory processing disorders, so go early in the morning when the pool is quieter. Swimming helps with body awareness and tactile input, and the feelings of weightlessness can be delightful.
- Go for a bike ride or get out a scooter. There is nothing better than popping on your helmet and feeling the wind in your face. Don’t forget to take a bottle of water to keep you hydrated.
- Go to the playground, create an obstacle course in your garden or spend a few hours playing outdoor games to improve gross motor skills.
Why choose Sister Sensory?
We are passionate about providing sensory toys for autistic and neurodiverse children in Australia. Finding the perfect activity for neuro and sensory-diverse people in your life can be challenging, which is why we’ve created a unique gift registry for our sensory solutions online shop here in Australia.
This fabulous feature means you can curate a collection of autism toys perfectly matched to your child’s unique needs and requirements to keep them busy over the summer. Create your first list today.
