Despite the cold weather, winter is one of the coziest times of the year. There are plenty of holidays to celebrate and activities to enjoy. But for some parents, it may be a bit tricky to think of fun winter activities for children with special needs, especially those with sensory sensitivities.
If you live in an area that gets snow, there are plenty of outdoor activities you and your child can do together. But even if you live in warmer states that don’t experience a “traditional” winter, you can still enjoy wintertime activities with your family.
Here are some fun winter activities for children with special needs.
Too cold outside to enjoy playing in the snow? No problem! Grab a cooler or another large container and pack it lightly with snow. You can store it in your freezer for later, or you can let your child play with it in the sink or tub. Bring out some measuring cups, spoons, or play tools so your child can interact with the snow. You can even use food coloring to provide additional sensory stimulation.
Sledding down hills is incredibly fun for kids of all ages. But even under the best conditions, this activity can still be dangerous. If you are worried about your child getting injured, pick a hill with a less steep slope. Or you can even create small slopes from shoveling snow in your driveway. (This is often a safer and more accessible option that doesn’t require travel.) If your sled is big enough, you can sit on the back and your child can sit in the front. Plus, sleds with ropes are great for children who may have limited mobility.
A great way to get some physical activity (and complete a chore) is to shovel the driveway together. Shoveling is a great way to strengthen the arms and upper body, and it can also help your child develop balance and coordination skills. You can also get shovels of different sizes so that everyone in the family can participate.
Snow days are the perfect time to get out and enjoy the day. After you put on your coat, snow pants, gloves, and hat, head outside with your child to make snow angels, build snowmen or even build snow forts. The options for fun are endless! Moving around in the snow takes quite a bit of effort by itself, so it’s a great way to warm up muscles and get some exercise.
If you live in a warmer area that doesn’t get snow, now is the perfect time to enjoy nice weather. Take this opportunity to walk, hike, and play outdoors. Bring your child to a local park, nature preserve, or city zoo. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, even during a warm winter.
Winter is the perfect time to learn something new! Ice skating can help teach your child balance and coordination skills. If the weather isn’t too cold, you can find an outdoor rink to take your child. Or if you don’t have any outdoor rinks nearby, there may be some indoor ice skating rinks around. Some indoor rinks have special activities for children, so take advantage of these opportunities to have some fun!
Cozy nights are best enjoyed with a book in hand! Try to find some winter-themed books to read with your child. Let your child practice sounding out words and forming full sentences. Picture books are great to encourage sensory stimulation (plus, they make reading extra fun!). If you can’t find any winter-themed books, pick out some of your child’s favorite books instead. Then all that’s left is to grab some snacks, cuddle under a warm blanket, and get to reading!
For cold winter nights, nothing is cozier than enjoying a movie with your favorite cup of hot cocoa. You can make your hot cocoa extra fun with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, or peppermint chips. There are plenty of holiday movies for you and your family to enjoy. Have fun making the perfect drink and enjoying your family’s favorite films!
For chilly days or snow days, the mall is a great place to spend an afternoon. There are plenty of items to see and touch, which can provide good sensory stimulation for your child. Just be cautious if your child has sensory sensitivities, as too much stimulation can be overwhelming and scary. You can also use this time to work on speech goals and social skills.
Crafting is a fun, productive way to spend the afternoon. Not only are crafts fun, but they also encourage creativity, imagination, coordination, and other technical skills. Consider having your child make a gift for a friend, relative, or teacher. As always, it’s a good idea to supervise your child and provide minimal assistance where necessary. Here are some fun crafting ideas:
If you celebrate Christmas, you’re probably thinking of setting up the Christmas tree. We know it can be a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort in the end! Involve your child in the process by showing them how to set up the tree and string the lights. You can even help them string up some tinsel or beads. When it comes time to hang the ornaments, show them how to gently hang up each item. If you are worried about ornaments breaking accidentally, let your child hang up shatter-proof ornaments instead. This way, you won’t need to worry about anything breaking if it falls or is dropped.
If it’s too cold to play outside, check for fun indoor activities in your area. Is there a museum your child wants to visit? How about an indoor play place or a botanical garden? There are usually plenty of options for indoor fun during the wintertime. Think outside the box and have fun exploring new places.
If you are part of a special needs community, be on the lookout for seasonal activities such as movie nights, holiday crafting, photos with Santa, and holiday meals. This is a great chance for your child to meet up with their friends and enjoy fun activities that promote creativity and socialization.
On Angel’s Wings hosts a variety of holiday events throughout the season for special needs individuals of all ages. On occasion, we even head up to Northern Arizona for some fun in the snow.
Winter is a great time to experience new, fun activities with your child. There are plenty of ways to have fun, get some exercise, and enjoy everything this season has to offer. We hope you enjoyed this list of fun activities for children with special needs. These activities make great weekend getaways and can even help plan out what to do on the next snow day.