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FALLebration! Turn Your Yard into a Sensational Playground, and Watch Kids Have a Blast
Don't feel guilty about a yard full of leaves. Autumn turns your yard into a magnificent "therapy" opportunity for your kids! Do you have kids that need to be calmed down, or even calmed up? Your yard is a sensory rich environment that can provide the sensory input your kids crave. Heavy work, movement and tactile experiences are abound!
Heavy Work may Include:
- Raking leaves and putting them in baskets
- "Riding" brooms or galloping on rakes through the leaves
- High kicks or stomping in the leaves
- Filling wheelbarrows or wagons and pushing and pulling them
- Lying down and making angels in the LEAVES
- Pile the leaves high, then j-u-m-p
- Rake a path and jump with two feet together down the trail
- Don't forget to Hug A Tree
Movement Activities:
- Log roll through the leaves
- Twirl, twirl, twirl and crash into the huge pile of leaves
- Somersault in the leaves
- Have and adult gently swirl you round 'n round, then let go and splat into the leaves
- If there are two strong people, lift and sway until SPLAT into the leaves
Tactile (In case the activities above didn't have enough tactile input!):
- Place leaves on clear ground to make shapes or letters
- Toss lots of leaves in the air, and watch them float onto your face
- Totally bury yourself in leaves, then yell SURPRISE!
- Make up your own FUN!
Do you have a favorite fall activity? What crafts can you do with leaves? Do you have other outdoor ideas for kids?
Comment
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Comment by Becky D. Smith on October 17, 2011 at 11:52pm -
Excellent ideas! I can"t wait to share your ideas with the parents of my students.
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Comment by Martianne Stanger on October 17, 2011 at 3:01pm
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And, lots of pinecones are falling in natural spots at this time of year. I recently published at POJTA with ideas for sensory diet and pinecones: http://www.ourjourneythruautism.com/2011/10/wearing-spd-lenses-5-wa...
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Comment by Martianne Stanger on October 17, 2011 at 3:00pm
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You can also make scarecrows by stuffing old clothes with newspaper, crinkled recycled paper or leaves. We've done all three of these.
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Comment by Sue Wilkinson on October 10, 2011 at 7:59pm
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Scarecrow sounds like a super sensory adventure. I live in the city, but I'll see if the garden center has bales of hay this weekend! FUN! Thanks.
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Comment by Martianne Stanger on October 10, 2011 at 4:37pm
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These are all fabulous ideas. I love how the seasons provide natural opportunities for fun and sensory activities. We find making scarecrows is a great one, too.
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