| Sometimes trying to come up with activities for | | | | are relatively predictable and provide a routine. |
| autistic kids that will be fun, educational and not | | | | They also encourage turn taking, but make sure |
| cost a lot can be a struggle. So it's reassuring to | | | | losing is never a big deal, it's just an outcome. |
| know that there are a number of possibilities out | | | | Otherwise they may associate negative emotions |
| there, it's just a matter of finding some that will | | | | with the game and refuse to play. |
| appeal to your child's personal tastes. The | | | | Outdoor Activities: |
| following are examples of popular activities for | | | | - Simple Childhood Games - think back to your |
| autistic children between the ages of 7 and 11. | | | | childhood and the games you used to play. For |
| Indoor Activities: | | | | many children there's no reason why they can't |
| - Singing - autistic children gain a number of | | | | take part in basic childhood games. As long as |
| benefits from singing. Children who are non-verbal | | | | they are not too socially complex, many autistic |
| can hum, make sounds, or play musical | | | | children can have a lot of fun playing games such |
| instruments such as whistles, tambourines, drums, | | | | as tag or follow the leader. Keep in mind that the |
| kazoos, or small keyboards. Repeating sounds, | | | | best activities for autistic children don't require |
| making up new tunes, or even learning educational | | | | them to keep close or extended physical contact |
| lyrics can be very useful for helping kids to learn | | | | with other people. You may want to make sure |
| and may also provide them some much-needed | | | | that you stick to games that focus on your child's |
| sensory stimulation - the same they would get | | | | unique skills to add comfort and confidence to the |
| from yelling, only more pleasing to the parental | | | | playing. |
| ear! Mimicking one another's notes and tunes can | | | | - Organized Sports - many children enjoy taking |
| be an important social experience that encourages | | | | part in organized sports like any other children |
| interaction. Experiment with different sounds and | | | | their age. Aim for sports that allow them to take |
| different types of music to find the ones your | | | | part without too much sensory stimulation and |
| child enjoys and responds best to. | | | | that doesn't require lots of equipment. Golf and |
| - Funny Sounds - making and mimicking funny | | | | baseball are good activities for autistic kids, |
| sounds can be a laughter-filled social learning | | | | whereas sports such as tackle football may not |
| experience for autistic kids and their parents. | | | | suit. |
| Children enjoy the sensory outlet and repetition | | | | - Water Balloons - autistic children can often |
| element of this game. You can try writing down a | | | | benefit from various sensory stimulators and |
| number of different animals or items on different | | | | water balloons can fit the bill. Tossing them about, |
| pieces of paper and whichever you choose you | | | | or holding and squishing them can be lots of fun. |
| have to make the appropriate noise. | | | | This also encourages children to play with others |
| - Castles - building castles out of just about | | | | when it comes to games such as "hot potato" - |
| anything can be a great deal of fun. The type of | | | | tossing the water filled balloon to one another |
| building "blocks" depends on the motor skills of the | | | | pretending it's a hot potato. |
| child. It can range from plastic or wooden alphabet | | | | - Skipping Rocks - if you are fortunate enough to |
| blocks to large "Lego" or "Duplo" style blocks, or | | | | live near water and your child is responsible |
| even playing cards if they're manually dexterous. | | | | around water, skipping rocks can be a great way |
| - Safe Emergencies - these games are | | | | to have fun and use arm muscles, encouraging |
| educational based but can also be fun to. They | | | | the development of motor skills. If you have a |
| involve enacting the right procedures for what to | | | | swimming pool that is large enough, you can try |
| do in an emergency event. This includes what to | | | | skipping plastic floating disks instead. |
| do in case of fire and other urgent situations. The | | | | - I Spy - whether trying to pass the time in the |
| important part of these games is to build a calm | | | | car or sitting in the yard, this game is a great |
| routine around them. | | | | way to learn colors socially interact with others. |
| - Simple Board Games - Begin with simple or basic | | | | These activities for autistic children are a great |
| board games and increase the difficulty level as | | | | way to have fun, learn important lessons, and |
| your child gets older and learns how to work with | | | | develop basic social skills without spending the |
| the rules of the games. Many board games are | | | | earth. |
| enjoyable activities for autistic kids because they | | | | |