With winter comes the magic of snow. However, for many families—especially those with children on the spectrum—snowy days can present unique challenges. That’s why at HHF, we get creative in planning activities that cover your child’s needs and allow them to have fun while learning. Our clinicians providing ABA Therapy in Maryland have compiled a list of alternative activities for snowy days that you can enjoy with your child, regardless of the weather outside.
Indoor Snow Play
When it’s too cold outside for playing in the snow, bring the snow inside! This enables your children to engage in the sensations of the snow without discomfort. Here are a few ideas for incorporating snow indoors or simulating snow play:
- Snow in the Bathtub: Fill a bucket full of clean snow and carry it into the bathroom. Allow the child to have playtime with this snow in the bathtub. This controlled environment allows for sensory exploration without the mess.
- Playdough Snowman: Use white playdough or clay to create a miniature snowman. This activity helps develop fine motor skills and creativity. Encourage your child to add details like buttons, a scarf, eyes, or a nose.
- Cotton Ball Snow Art: Use cotton balls to create snow-themed artwork. Your child can glue cotton balls onto paper to make snowmen, snow-covered trees, or winter landscapes.
These activities provide sensory experiences and creative outlets while staying warm and dry indoors.
Sensory-Friendly Winter Crafts
Crafting can be an excellent way to engage your child’s imagination and improve fine motor skills. Here are some winter-themed craft ideas:
- Paper Snowflakes: Teach your child how to fold and cut paper to create unique snowflake designs. This activity can be adapted to different skill levels.
- Winter Sensory Bottles: Fill various clear plastic bottles with water, glitter, and small winter objects for a quiet, calming sensory experience.
- Ice Painting: Freeze water mixed with food coloring in ice cube trays. Once frozen, let your child use these colorful ice cubes to paint on paper, creating unique winter-inspired artwork.
These crafts not only provide entertainment but also support the development of various skills that complement our ABA Therapy in Baltimore and our other clinics.
Indoor Physical Activities
Staying active during winter is great for children’s physical and mental health. Here are some indoor activities to keep you and your child moving while stuck inside:
- Indoor Obstacle Course: Set up a fun obstacle course using items from your home. This may include crawling under tables or jumping over pillows.
- Balloon Games: This is playing with balloons in games like keep-up or even volleyball; this low impact movement can be done in most spaces.
- Indoor Bowling: Plastic bottles can be set up as pins, and a ball can be used for bowling. This game develops hand-eye coordination and is an entertaining family sport that everyone can enjoy.
Cozy Learning Activities
Snowy days are perfect for engaging in quiet, educational activities that support your child’s development:
- Winter-themed Puzzles: Develop problem-solving and fine motor coordination skills through participation in winter scene puzzles that can be found online and printed out.
- Sorting Games with Winter Clothing: Sorting with mittens, hats, and scarves will help them learn about organizing and categorizing things and enrich their vocabulary.
These activities combine learning with the cozy atmosphere of a snowy day, supporting your child’s cognitive development in a relaxed setting.
Children with autism should be provided with stimulating and interactive experiences. These sensory, skill-building, and fun activities are intended to be moments of shared activity that you can do with your family on this snowy day.
Remember that each child is different, and what works with one may not work with another. Always individualize these activities to the interests and ability level of the child. Most importantly, just have fun creating these experiences and moments together.
If you’re looking for more personalized strategies to support your child’s development, we’re here to help! Our staff of experienced professionals is committed to offering the most effective ABA therapy personalized to your child’s individual needs.
Don’t let snowy days keep you from engaging in meaningful activities with your child. Contact HHF today to learn more about our services and how we can support your family’s journey. Together, we can make every day an opportunity for growth and joy, no matter the weather outside.
