Keeping Children Active During Winter Break

For many children, winter break is an exciting time. Children are home from school and have free time to enjoy with friends and family. However, for a child with autism, the break from school can be an unwelcome disruption to a normal routine, and a lack of activity can cause your child to become restless. During winter break in Northeast Ohio, the cold and snow can be an obstacle in maintaining your child’s regular activity levels. How do you keep your child active? We have some ideas:

• Play a game. There are many games that do not require any pieces or parts that you can play anywhere, including in a family room or playroom. For example, Simon Says is a perfect game to get your child up and active. You, acting as Simon, can “say” a variety of exercises, like doing a jumping jack, touching toes, or running in place, that will get your child up and moving around.

• Dance. Play some fun, upbeat music and join your child in a dance party. To make the occasion even more special, you could move furniture to create a “dance floor.” Children might enjoy choosing their favorite songs.

• Play a game of pretend. Write the names of animals on pieces of paper and put them in a jar. Take turns selecting an animal and acting out the animal’s movements and sounds. Your child will have fun playing pretend, and will be getting valuable exercise at the same time!

• Set up some “indoor” sporting events. There are modified games you can play indoors when the weather or temperature prevents you from going outside. For example, you can roll a ball back and forth on the ground, or play “basketball” with rolled up socks and an empty trash can for a hoop. Be creative with items you have around the house!

• If the weather is cooperating, get outdoors! Take advantage of any unseasonably warm days, or bundle up and go outside. Play a game in the backyard, enjoy time at a local park or go on a walk through the neighborhood.

• Enroll your child in a winter break camp. There are camps that exist to help bridge the gap in routine over the winter break from school. For example, Peak Potential Therapy offers Camp Snow Cubs, a social developmental play skills camp, for children ages 12 to 15.

Looking for more winter break activities? Contact Peak Potential Therapy for expert advice and to learn more about services and opportunities that may be a good fit for your child.