Here are 10 activities that teachers and parents love to do with their special needs children.
1. Create a Shredded Flower Bouquet. 
Who
knew shredded paper could be so beautiful? This creative activity
involves ripping and shredding paper to create a colorful composition
that makes for a great gift or decoration. Kids with special needs will
especially love the sensory experience of handling paper and
manipulating colors and shapes!
Who
knew shredded paper could be so beautiful? This creative activity
involves ripping and shredding paper to create a colorful composition
that makes for a great gift or decoration. Kids with special needs will
especially love the sensory experience of handling paper and
manipulating colors and shapes!
2. Underwater I Spy Alphabet Bottle. 
Sparkly,
glittery water is sure to attract curious eyes! This alphabet bottle
is fun to make and a great activity to keep your child engaged and
focused. The craft helps kids recognize letters in a creative way while
enjoying the beautiful shine and sparkle of floating sequins!
Sparkly,
glittery water is sure to attract curious eyes! This alphabet bottle
is fun to make and a great activity to keep your child engaged and
focused. The craft helps kids recognize letters in a creative way while
enjoying the beautiful shine and sparkle of floating sequins!
3. Paint with Ice. 
Kids
love to swirl the melting paint over paper, creating beautiful
designs. They'll practice their color recognition and observation skills
while observing paint go from a liquid state to a solid state, then
back to liquid again!
Kids
love to swirl the melting paint over paper, creating beautiful
designs. They'll practice their color recognition and observation skills
while observing paint go from a liquid state to a solid state, then
back to liquid again!4. Explore the Senses with a Sensory Table.
A
sensory table is a place designed for squishing, sifting, sorting,
digging and pouring! Children will relish the opportunity to get messy,
discover, and play freely with engaging their sense of touch, hearing
sight.
5. Practice Paint Chip Storytelling. 
Telling
a story is like painting a picture, using words instead of paint. In
this imaginative activity, your child uses paint chips and words to
tell a story! Alter the activity according to the level of your child,
and you can spark his imagination and narrative abilities while having a
colorful good time!
Telling
a story is like painting a picture, using words instead of paint. In
this imaginative activity, your child uses paint chips and words to
tell a story! Alter the activity according to the level of your child,
and you can spark his imagination and narrative abilities while having a
colorful good time!
6. Play the Matching Halves Game. 
This
matching activity is a great way to introduce children to the concept
of puzzles, and to satisfy many special needs kids who crave order and
simplicity. Each craft stick will have only half a shape: find the
stick with the missing half and place the sticks side by side to
complete each one!
This
matching activity is a great way to introduce children to the concept
of puzzles, and to satisfy many special needs kids who crave order and
simplicity. Each craft stick will have only half a shape: find the
stick with the missing half and place the sticks side by side to
complete each one!
7. Sculpt Clay Snowflakes. 
You
don't have to brave the chill to enjoy the beauty of winter. Make
sparkly snowflake sculptures and experience winter from the comfort and
warmth of your home! Sculpting clay is a great way to boost fine motor
skills, and kids with special needs will love the sensory experience of
squishing, pulling and kneading as they work.
You
don't have to brave the chill to enjoy the beauty of winter. Make
sparkly snowflake sculptures and experience winter from the comfort and
warmth of your home! Sculpting clay is a great way to boost fine motor
skills, and kids with special needs will love the sensory experience of
squishing, pulling and kneading as they work.
8. Set Up a Smelling Station. 
With
the help of some small containers, rubber bands, scraps of fabric and
lots and lots of fragrant ingredients, your child can create a whole
collection of smells to tease his nose. Smell is one of the five
senses, and kids will love learning about what role it plays while
exploring the breathing and relaxation associated with good scents.
With
the help of some small containers, rubber bands, scraps of fabric and
lots and lots of fragrant ingredients, your child can create a whole
collection of smells to tease his nose. Smell is one of the five
senses, and kids will love learning about what role it plays while
exploring the breathing and relaxation associated with good scents.
9. Oobleck Science: Solid or Liquid? 
Can
something be solid and liquid at the same time? Experiment with this
classic science activity that introduces kids to the mysteries of states
of matter. Children will love the sensory experience of squeezing and
splashing that comes with this gooey scientific investigation!
Can
something be solid and liquid at the same time? Experiment with this
classic science activity that introduces kids to the mysteries of states
of matter. Children will love the sensory experience of squeezing and
splashing that comes with this gooey scientific investigation!
10. Make Number Rubbings. 
Kids
love using crayons for just about everything. Put this art streak to
good use by introducing them to “rubbings.” They'll work the small
muscles in their hands and improve eye-hand coordination. Plus, they'll
experiment with different surfaces while practicing shapes and
numbers.
Kids
love using crayons for just about everything. Put this art streak to
good use by introducing them to “rubbings.” They'll work the small
muscles in their hands and improve eye-hand coordination. Plus, they'll
experiment with different surfaces while practicing shapes and
numbers.
For More Info On 10 Fun Activities for Children with Autism