THERAPEUTIC SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Sand Play:
 | Bury hand in the sand and call on an individual finger to "Pop-out" one at a time. |
| Bury small objects, such as coins, in the sand. Try to find them. |
| Write in the sand: with one foot (to challenge balance) with a long stick (for more gross motor shoulder work) with one finger (for more fine motor work) |
| Spread out a beach towel or blanket in quadruped (hand and knees) or crawling. Shake out and fold the blanket or towel. This is good for working on proximal or gross motor stability and motor planning. |
Water / Pool play- Supervision is required for safety issues!
| Swim holding float out forward. Hold onto both sides of float using thumbs up approach. (great for increasing shoulder stability and muscle extensors of the body) |
| Splash, jump up and down, or walk in the pool. (the water provides greater resistance so you body has to work harder) |
| Wash the car Dip sponge in pool or water, twist and squeeze water into a bucket. (good for coordinating opposing movement patterns) |
| Carry buckets of water using both hands, empty one bucket into another. (Try to carry the bucket a few inches from the body - really works on shoulder strength and stability |
| Name body parts and identify left and right ( good for body scheme awareness) |
| Let child apply sunscreen to themselves all over their body (good for tactile integration and body scheme awareness.) |
| Propel self with both arms lying prone on raft. |
| After swimming, dry off with brisk, firm strokes with a towel. (Increases tactile awareness.) |
Gardening
| Water flowers and plants (with a sprinkling can requires shoulder stability, with a hose requires more bilateral motor control. |
| Cut flowers (another good way to work on scissor skills.) Parental supervision required. |
Mealtime
| Set table (good "heavy" work for high energy kids. Really works on upper body strengthening. |
| Helping with cooking and preparation of a meal, breakfast, lunch, dinner (Parent Supervision - Suggested!) |
| Pouring liquids into a cup, practice over a sink with water (place index finger inside cup, so liquid will not overflow.) |
| Help with the groceries, carry bags from the car into the house. Help put groceries away. |
| Straighten chairs (good motor planning activities.) |
| Chew gum! Provides lots of jaw work, stability! Really, I won't kid you! |
| Eat shoestring licorice without using hands (good tongue and jaw work) |
| Suck on Popsicle (for lip closure) or lick an ice cream cone (tongue movement) |
| Drink milkshakes (thick liquids make the lips and cheek muscles work harder) |
| Wash windows with a squirt bottle or towel (good gross and fine motor bilateral strength and coordination) |
| Hang clothes, bathing suits, towels, clothing on a clothesline. Good for working on shoulder, trunk and fine motor strength. |
Playtime
| PLayground for climbing, swings and explore |
| Bicycles, scooters for balance and coordination |
| Blow bubbles |