24 days of OT: Advent Calendar!
Welcome to the OT Advent Calendar. Over on our Social Media, we’ll be sharing an idea a day to support you to add a little bit of therapy magic as you count down to Christmas! But we know not every idea is for everyone, so here is the full list of activities in case you want to get a little sneak peak!
Making a Christmas Countdown Calendar: Design a calendar together using felt or paper. With school holidays in sight, adding a bit of routine and notice about the change can help prepare kids for what’s to come
DIY Sensory Bottles Sensory bottles are fun and calming! Fill a bottle with water, glitter, beads, and charms. Shake it up for some sensory magic!
Decorate your Assistive Technology Deck the wheels! Add some festive sparkle to equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, or standing frames. It's a great way to make therapy fun this season!
Gross Motor Tree Challenge Improve balance and strength while decorating a tree—OT style! Add stickers or baubles while reaching, stretching, or crawling.
Fine Motor Fun: Paper Snowflakes Craft time! Making paper snowflakes is great for building hand strength and coordination.
Jingle Bell Obstacle Course Ring in the holidays! Create a fun obstacle course with bells to work on motor planning and sensory input.
Sensory Friendly Holiday Lights Bright lights can be overwhelming. Use sensory-friendly LED lights to create a calm holiday vibe.
Adaptive Baking Holiday baking is for everyone! Chocolate/Rum-balls are no-bake and can be completed in a food processor making baking easy for those with short attention spans or motor challenges.
Santa’s Scooter Race Zoom like Santa! Scooter board activities build strength and coordination—plus, they’re so much fun!
Holiday Music Movement Get moving with holiday music! Dancing and instrument play support motor skills and rhythm.
Grinch Sensory Play Green slime, pom-poms, and small toys make for festive fine motor fun.
Accessible Tree Decorating Tree decorating can be for everyone! While it makes a mess, tinsel is light, bright and inexpensive, so makes for a great decoration for all members of the family to help with. Use lightweight ornaments or homemade decorations that can be easily handled. Encourage reaching and grasping while discussing colors and shapes.
Adaptive Holiday Stories Books with textures and sound make holiday stories come alive for all children. Or reserve a Christmas theme book from a local library. The libraries are air-conditioned and have accessible facilities so make a great school holiday activity.
Snowball Snowstorm No snow? No problem! Try indoor snowball toss for hand-eye coordination and fun! Or use cotton wool snowballs and a straw to blow across a table or tray for some deep breathing practice.
DIY Adaptive Wrapping Gift wrapping can be a great therapy activity! Use adaptive tools to make it easier and fun.
Calm Corner Holiday excitement can be overwhelming. Create a calm-down corner for moments of quiet.
Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt Scavenger hunts encourage problem-solving and movement. Hide candy canes for a festive twist!
Therapeutic Holiday Yoga Stretch, breathe, and relax with holiday-themed yoga! Perfect for kids needing sensory breaks. Check out this one from Cosmic Kids.
Christmas Cards Get your child involved in making a Christmas Card. This could involve choice making with their AAC for who to write it to, right through to writing it themselves to practice their handwriting. The opportunities are endless!
Festive Mirror Play Mirror play builds self-awareness and motor skills. Add stickers for a holiday touch!
Scented Playdough DIY scented playdough is fun and calming. Try peppermint or cinnamon for holiday vibes!
Inclusive Caroling Caroling can be for everyone! Use AAC devices or simple instruments to join the fun. Or take it one step further with a full performance. Inclusive teach has the full breakdown here.
Celebrate Progress Happy Holidays! We’re proud of every achievement this year. Perhaps take a quiet moment to reflect and write down one particular achievement for 2024.
Here’s to a joyful, inclusive season! Merry Christmas from the Kids + Co.Lab Team: Kate, Kacey, Rochelle & Emily.