Outdoor Activities for Children with Autism: Developing Skills and Making Memories
Fresh air, sunshine, and exercise are vital for the healthy development of all children, and kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are no exception. Outdoor play is great exercise, but it also promotes cognitive function, sensory development, social skills, attention span, and overall sense of well-being. That’s why we have put together this list of outdoor activities for autistic children. When the weather is nice, take your child out to engage in positive growth experiences and make happy childhood memories.
Every child is unique, of course, so you might find some of our suggestions more helpful than others. But we hope you can use some of the below ideas to give your child some quality time outside. And when you’re out of the house, remember to make safety a top priority: pack everything you’ll need while out, including drinks and sunscreen.
7 Outdoor Games for Autism
Games and sports are excellent opportunities for children with ASD to have fun, develop their motor skills, and interact with other children. Plus, structured games provide instances of the consistency in which children with autism thrive. Encourage your child to try the following games the next time you’re playing in the backyard, at the park, or at the beach:
- Catch
- Frisbee
- Kickball
- Soccer
- T-Ball
- Velcro Ball Toss
- Tag
These and other games can grow your child’s confidence, reduce stress, and expose them to a healthy dose of Vitamin D. If your child gets discouraged or has trouble with any of these games, don’t worry. There are plenty of other outdoor activities for autistic children that you can try.
Outdoor Sensory Activities for Autism
Outdoor sensory activities for children with ASD play is also an excellent way to grow their child’s sensory awareness. If games don’t turn out to be a favorite activity, or if your child prefers independent play, these sensory exercises may prove more beneficial.
Since kids with ASD often have hypo- or hypersensitivity to stimuli, these activities can be safe ways for them to learn about different physical experiences.
- Water Play - You can let your child explore water with hoses, squirt guns, spray bottles, a kiddie pool, or even the rain.
- Bubbles - Blowing bubbles is a beloved childhood pastime. See if your child responds well to this activity by demonstrating how to do it and then letting them give it a go.
- Sidewalk Chalk - Foster their inner creativity by giving them some chalk to make colorful designs.
- Sandboxes - If you’re at a playground, you may find a sandbox where your child can dig, make mounds, and generally let their imaginations run free while enjoying the texture of the sand.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. If your child is receiving any treatment, such as ABA therapy, their therapist may have suggestions that are better suited to your child’s specific needs. Just ask for some outdoor activities for autistic children that will meet your child’s particular adaptive skills development goals.
How to Get an Autistic Child to Go Outside
In some cases, enjoying the outdoors is a learned behavior. While there are children who would rather play with their indoor toys, it is important to introduce them to outside play for the health and developmental benefits mentioned above. To get an autistic child to go outside, you can start by trying to relocate some favorite indoor activities. From there, you can show them how to play outdoor games for autism or any of these additional ways to enjoy the fresh air:
- Movement Activities - For children who like to stay busy, movement activities are a fun way to play and get exercise. Try building an obstacle course, or maybe your child would enjoy the thrill of a treasure hunt. After that, show them how to play hide and seek.
- Nature Activities - Simply encountering the wonders of nature is an informative and enjoyable way to spend time. Children who like to make things may like building their own bird feeder. Planting a garden is another bonding activity that you could do together. And often, children with autism like to collect and categorize the things they find outside. Just set them free to explore and watch what they discover.
The outdoors is a wonderful place for kids and adults of all ages, including those with autism. Reap the benefits of fresh air, sunshine, and nature—and take some terrific photos so you can look back on your adventures together!
At Autism Specialty Group of Miami, we provide Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to children with autism to assist with their adaptive growth. Please feel free to contact us for more information about our services.
References:
https://www.thechildrenswood.co.uk/benefits-of-nature-for-children-with-autism/