If your child is one that has difficulty, check out this site: Transitions from School to Home. It gives some great ideas, especially for those with sensory processing challenges.
Summer is also a great time for play! Here are some fun, outside ideas for the summer:
- Swim!
- Build sandcastles and dig in the sand
- Make a "sand angel" at the beach
- Draw with sidewalk chalk
- Use squirt bottles, water toys, even a turkey baster!
- Wash the car or toys with a sponge (be sure to wring it out first!)
- "Paint the house" with water and a paintbrush
- Play catch, throw a Frisbee, play freeze tag outside
- Play hopscotch and jump rope
- Blow bubbles and jump up to pop them
- Go to the playground for an hour
- Play balloon volleyball
- Obstacle courses
- Ride bikes
- Weed and help garden
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Go on a PHOTO scavenger hunt: older kids can take pictures of what they find rather than bring it inside (something smooth/rough/green/slimy, two rocks of different colors, a small animal, a bird, a flower, etc.)
Here are some ideas for a rainy day!
- Play dress-up
- Dance!
- Walk on pillows (it sounds funny, but it's fun, too!)
- Build a tower. No blocks? Stack coins, books, cups, ice cubes - anything age appropriate
- Use tweezers/tongs to pick things up
- Have a toy car wash
- Make origami animals - there are tons of instructional sites online!
- Check out this site for movement games: Indoor Gross Motor Games
Most importantly - have fun with your child!