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10 activities for children with ADHD to do this winter
If you're worried about how much screen time your child has and wondering how they can stay busy this winter, why don't you have some fun with them using these ten ideas? Feel free to encourage your child to express their creativity and join in the fun by experimenting with and adapting these ideas to suit your child's age, interests, and abilities.
Remember, the goal is to engage in enjoyable activities that promote bonding, creativity, and learning.
- Build a blanket fort: set up a cosy and imaginative space using blankets, pillows, and furniture. Let your child's creativity guide the fort's design and use it as a reading nook, a pretend castle, or a secret hideout.
- Create a winter-themed art project: break out the art supplies and engage in a winter-themed art session. You can paint winter landscapes, make snowflake cut-outs, create paper snowmen, or design winter-themed collages.
- Have an indoor treasure hunt: create a treasure map and hide clues around the house for your child to follow. The treasure could be a small prize, a treat, or even a personalised coupon for an activity or outing. This activity promotes problem-solving skills and keeps your child engaged.
- Bake and decorate winter-themed treats: spend quality time together baking and decorating winter-themed cookies, cupcakes, or a gingerbread house. Let your child take part in measuring, adding and mixing the ingredients, and adding decorations. It's a fun and tasty activity that can also teach them valuable skills.
- Plan a family movie session: choose a selection of winter or holiday-themed movies and snuggle up for a cosy movie night. Create a comfortable atmosphere with blankets, pillows, and your favourite snacks. Hear what your child thought or felt about each movie by discussing it with them afterwards.
- Indoor obstacle course: design an indoor obstacle course using furniture, pillows, cushions, and other household items. Incorporate activities like crawling under tables, jumping over obstacles, and balancing on cushions. By going through the obstacle course, children with ADHD can expend energy and improve their coordination.
- Create a family scrapbook: work together to create a family scrapbook or photo album. Gather pictures, objects, and memories from past holidays or family outings. Let your child participate by arranging and decorating the pages. It's a great way to bond and reminisce.
- Have a board game or puzzle night: choose age-appropriate board games or puzzles and spend time playing together. This activity promotes focus, concentration, and social interaction while providing a fun and engaging experience for the whole family.
- Write and perform a play: collaborate with your child to write a short play or skit. Let them come up with characters, plotlines, and dialogue. Rehearse together and perform the play for family members or record it for future enjoyment. This activity encourages creativity and boosts self-confidence.
- Plan an indoor science experiment: find simple science experiments you can do safely indoors. Whether you make homemade slime, create an erupting baking soda volcano, or explore static electricity or magnetic fields, encouraging these hands-on experiments can be exciting and educational.
Remember, the goal is to engage in enjoyable activities that promote bonding, creativity, and learning.
