Looking for ways to entertain your kids when it’s cold outside? Heavy work–or activities that burn energy–are critical in keeping our kiddos regulated.
If you’re willing to brave the cold and throw on some snow gear, try:
- Shoveling. Kids love to feel helpful!
- Making a snow fort. Creative and imaginative!
- Sledding. Climbing up a hill before flying down is a surefire way to burn energy.
Prefer staying inside and warm? Try these fun options:
- Make a blanket fort. You can fill the inside of the fort with spare pillows for added deep pressure!
- Pillow fight. If your kiddo can handle this activity, you should definitely give it a try. Provide deep-pressure pillow squishes at the end of the activity to assist with calming them down.
- Lifting/Pushing/Pulling. Pushing and pulling provides proprioceptive input* through the muscles and joints. Activities such as carrying groceries, putting wet clothes inside a dryer, or pushing a sibling around in a laundry basket are all great examples.
*the sense that lets us perceive joint position and movement, muscle force, and effort.
