As the weather gets warmer and the sun shines a little brighter, it’s the perfect time to embrace the outdoors with your little ones. Spring offers so many opportunities for your family to get outside and explore a variety of activities designed to promote your child’s development, physical skills, and well-being. So, put on your shoes and jackets, breathe in the fresh air, and get ready to embark on a journey of learning, discovery, and fun with occupational therapy activities that are perfect for springtime adventure.
Play Sidewalk Chalk Games
Sidewalk chalk is so much fun to play with and allows your child’s creativity to shine through. But did you know that there are many things that you can do with chalk besides drawing pictures? For example, you can create mazes, play hopscotch, and even try tic-tac-toe! Other things that you can work on include helping your child learn their colors, numbers, letters, and shapes.
Make an Outdoor Obstacle Course
Get ready to burn off some energy—it’s time to set up an outdoor obstacle course for you and your family to enjoy! Gather items that you have around the house, such as hula hoops, cones, and jump ropes, and place them outside to create an obstacle course. For example, you could have your child jump from one hula hoop to another, try to walk across the jump rope balance beam, or knock over cones with a ball. For some added excitement, keep track of your child’s time and see if they can beat it on their next turn!
Start a Garden
Gardening with your little one is a great way to spend time outdoors this spring. Work with your child to pick out seeds you want to plant, and get ready to begin your gardening journey! Together, you can pour dirt into pots, plant the seeds, and then water them as needed. The joy your kids will experience nurturing these plants and witnessing their transformation into fruits and vegetables is bound to be a rewarding adventure!
Paint Hand Picked Rocks
This is a perfect activity to complete outside. First, you and your child can go on a hunt for the perfect rocks to paint. Whether you go for a walk to gather rocks or simply search in your own backyard, it’s still a great adventure. Next, spread out an old blanket or towel, sit down, and use your favorite acrylic paint to add designs and color to the rocks. You can get as creative as you like; create an animal face or even a pretty scene. Talk as you paint about what you are creating, the texture of the rocks, and even what each rock’s shape resembles.
Happy Occupational Therapy Month! Follow us on our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) all April for tips, toys we love, resources, and more! Additionally, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime to discuss if your child would benefit from pediatric therapy. Our team is here to support you and your child in any way we can.
