Best Summer Activities for Autism
Virtual school is over and summer is here! This is an exciting time for children but can be a stressful few months for parents who have to create new ways to fill the long days. This time off from school and daily routines can be especially challenging for a parent who has a child on the autism spectrum because lack of structure can sometimes trigger changes in behavior.
On top of that we are still facing quarantine, so indoor fun is preferred. Although this might sound catastrophic, the reality is that you are not alone. We have created a full list of activities that you can implement along with your children’s schedule to ensure that every day will be filled with interesting things to do.
In The Kitchen Activities
Before you jump into any of these activities, we highly encourage you to make an official quarantine schedule, so your children can have some idea of what is going to happen next. Children with autism thrive in schedules, so we urge you to try to stick to it as much as possible.
Another idea is to add a special activity time each day, so your children can anticipate that something fun is about to happen.
Cooking and Kitchen Related Activities
Most children (both in the spectrum and neurotypical) love to help in the kitchen because they get to try the food and experience different textures with their hands and taste. Additionally, many of these activities allow them to have better motor coordination.
Some ideas include:
- Baking healthy cookies and having your children help with the dough. They can create shapes or simply make the dough into small balls.
- Having your children mash soft ingredients.
- Letting them help you wash some veggies.
- If possible, allowing them to decorate the cookies (once cold) with different healthy ingredients like fruits or edible colors.
Livingroom Friendly Activities
- Making edible jewelry with candy.
- Making macaroni necklaces.
- Drawing.
- Watching a movie.
- Playing bingo (download or free version below).
- Playing Simon Says.
Backyard Activities
If you notice your children are in need of some fresh air, the following ideas are perfect to enjoy in your backyard.
- Easter egg hunt.
- Water games (water-filled toys, a water slide, water-filled balloons, etc.)
- Playing with bubbles.
- Setting an obstacle race.
- Painting.
- Gardening.
- Yoga.
- If suitable, you can camp outside your house and make a fire with smores.
Bedroom Friendly Activities
If it is about to be bedtime, the following activities can be great for your children:
- Building a fort with boxes.
- Making a tent with the blankets.
- Reading them a story.
- Turning off the lights and with the help of a lamp making shadow games.
DIY Activities
If your children are calm or at least peaceful enough to make some crafts, these ideas are for you:
- Making a stuffed weighted teddy.
- Making a sock puppet with cold glue and bottoms.
- Making your bubble soap (recipe: 1/2 cup corn syrup- 3 cups water- 1 cup dish soap).
We understand that having yourself and your children in quarantine can be challenging. However, we want to remind you that you are not alone and that we are here to answer all your questions related to autism, covid-19, prevention, stem cells, and more. Feel free to contact us in the comment section!
At WSCC, we offer support for autistic families and their children with Stem Cell Therapy treatments that can transform autistic conditions by healing the gut, decreasing inflammation, and improving brain function. We also created an autistic community on Facebook that is destined to offer support and companionship for ASD parents and their families on their journey.
Remember, you are not alone!