10 Sensory-Friendly Winter Activities for Kids with Autism

For many kids on the autism spectrum, winter can be hard, especially during winter break. Changes in routine and bad weather can limit outside play. Also, bright holiday decorations can cause sensory overload. But winter also gives us great ways to enjoy calming and fun sensory experiences. This blog post will look at ten exciting winter activities made for kids with autism. These activities will help them enjoy the season while supporting their growth and happiness.

Sensory-Friendly Winter Activities for Children with Autism

Sensory play is very helpful for children with autism and special education needs. It allows them to explore various textures, sights, sounds and smells in a safe and fun way. In winter, when playing outside may not be an option, sensory activities can help children stay calm and avoid feeling bored.

Here are some sensory-friendly winter activities that are enjoyable and also provide chances for learning and growth:

1. Crafting with Natural Materials

Bringing nature inside is a great way to enjoy hands-on play in winter. Collect things like pinecones, twigs, acorns, leaves, and beads. These natural objects have different textures and shapes to explore.

Ask your child to make art, build small structures, or sort the items. With child-safe glue, they can create nature collages or make prints of the items in playdough.

These activities give good sensory input. They also help kids grow fine motor skills and boost creativity.

2. Light Play with Glow Sticks

Light play is very fun for kids, and glow sticks make great visuals. This is even better during the dark winter months. You can use glow sticks to make visual schedules, create sensory-friendly spaces, and add fun to daily activities.

Here are some ideas:

• Turn on glow sticks and put them into a sensory bottle with water and glitter.
• Make a calm bedtime routine by dimming the lights and letting your child play with glow sticks in a dark room.
• Use glow sticks to mark a play area or make a path for your child to follow.

3. Texture Scavenger Hunt

A texture scavenger hunt is a fun and interactive way for your child to explore touch and engage in ABA-based learning. It can help their language development too. To start, fill a sensory bin with different textured items. You can use cotton balls, soft fabrics, sandpaper, bubble wrap, and dried beans.

Next, make a list of textures for your child to find. While they search, ask them to tell you what they feel. For younger kids, use easy words like "soft," "rough," "bumpy," or "smooth."

This activity helps children explore different textures. It also boosts their vocabulary and encourages them to communicate.

Indoor Winter Activities

When the weather makes you stay inside, there are many fun things to do with your child who has autism, like having a cosy pajama day. These indoor winter activities can help your child feel different sensations, spark their creativity, and support their learning in a safe space.

You can build cosy forts or try out sensory activities. There are endless ways to make winter inside as fun as outside.

4. Indoor Sensory Obstacle Course

An indoor obstacle course is a great way to mix exercise with fun experiences. You can make a path using pillows, cushions, tunnels, blankets, and toys. Add different textures and challenges on the way.

For example, have your child crawl under a cosy blanket, walk on a tough surface of pillows, or move through a chair tunnel. You can also include sensory items like soft fabrics, textured balls, or scented playdough to make it even better.

Obstacle courses help kids grow their gross motor skills, problem-solving skills, and awareness of space.

5. Baking Simple Recipes Together

Baking is a fun activity that can also teach kids important life skills and enhance their social skills. It helps their social and emotional growth. Pick easy recipes with just a few ingredients and clear steps.

Here are some ideas:

• Bake sugar cookies. Let your child help mix the dough, roll it out, and decorate the cookies.
• Make homemade pizza. Let your child choose their favorite toppings.
• Prepare a simple fruit salad. Encourage your child to wash, cut (with help), and mix the fruits.

6. Winter-themed Sensory Bins

Sensory bins are a simple way for kids to play and explore. You can make winter-themed bins easily to engage your child's senses. Start by filling a bin with items like cotton balls, white beans, jingle bells, or fake snow made from shaving cream and baking soda.

You can also hide little winter toys like snowmen, penguins, or polar bears, as well as other arctic animals, in the bin for your child to find. Add scoops, cups, and tools for scooping and pouring to help them explore different textures.

Using sensory bins helps with fine motor skills, encourages imaginative play, and allows for sensory exploration.

7. Creating a Calm Down Corner

Having a calm down corner can really help children with autism through applied behavior analysis methods. It gives them a safe place to relax and manage their feelings when they feel stressed or too much is happening. You can pick a quiet spot in your home and fill it with items that soothe the senses.

You might want to add soft blankets, pillows, weighted objects, noise-cancelling headphones, or sensory bottles with glitter and calming colours. Encourage your child to use this space whenever they feel anxious, overwhelmed, or just need to take a break.

A calm-down corner helps kids learn how to manage their feelings. It also makes them feel safe and in control.

8. Interactive Reading Nook

Create a cozy reading nook. This will help grow a love for reading and improve language skills. Find a comfy spot in your home where you can relax and even take a nap. Add soft blankets and pillows. Collect some winter-themed books to have on hand.

As you read together, encourage your child to join in. Ask them to point to pictures. They can name objects and answer simple questions. You can use fun elements like puppets, felt boards, or small toys that relate to the stories.

Interactive reading helps with language development, understanding, and a love for books.

Outdoor Winter Activities

Don't let the cold weather make you and your child stay inside all winter! Outdoor winter activities can give you fresh sensory experiences. They also encourage exercise and social time with others. Even on chilly days, putting on warm clothes and going outside for a bit can help both you and your child feel better.

Here are a few fun ideas for enjoying the magic of winter outdoors:

9. Ice Exploration Activities

Playing with ice is a fun experience for kids. In ice cube trays or bigger containers, you can freeze small toys, bright objects, or even plastic snowflakes and natural items like leaves and berries.

After the ice is frozen, give your child tools like spoons, salt shakers, or warm water droppers for a little bit of prep. These items let them try different ways to melt the ice and find the hidden treasures inside. Encourage them to notice the temperature changes and how the ice changes. Ice exploration includes sensory input, fine motor skills, and science observation.

10. Sensory Snow Play

When the snow comes down, take the chance to enjoy some fun winter activities. Playing in the snow is a great way to have different experiences. Here are some ideas:

• Build a snowman together. Use snowballs of different sizes and add natural items to decorate it.
• Create snow angels in the soft powder. Encourage your child to use their arms and legs to make their own shapes.
• Go sledging down a small hill for some exciting fun.

Winter activities can be a great way to engage children with autism while supporting their unique needs. Incorporating strategies from in-home ABA therapy near me can make these activities even more effective, creating a comfortable and structured environment for your child to thrive. Start exploring personalized support today to make this winter both fun and productive!

Conclusion

Winter can be a wonderful time for kids with autism, but it's essential to be aware of the winter blues. They can take part in activities that are friendly to their senses. They can craft using natural materials or play with snow outdoors. There are many chances for fun and learning.

These activities help them play and also boost sensory skills and emotional control. You can make a calm-down corner at home and use ice or glow sticks. These things can help improve their thinking and moving skills. Enjoy this season by doing both indoor and outdoor activities that meet their special needs. Let winter be a place for joy and growth for your child with autism.

Blue Jay ABA in North Carolina is dedicated to helping families create meaningful experiences for children with autism, even during the chilly winter months. With personalized guidance and support, their team empowers parents to explore sensory-friendly activities that foster growth and joy. Ready to make this winter season memorable for your child? Reach out to Blue Jay ABA today and discover how they can help brighten your family’s winter days!