Games
Simon Says
First, choose someone to be “Simon” - take turns being the leader to keep it friendly and fun! Simon either begins a command with “Simon Says” or not. To stay in the game, kids only must follow the commands that begin with “Simon Says”. It may be helpful for Simon to demonstrate the desired action to ensure all players are able to follow. If you want to make the game more challenging, simply issue commands faster and faster, and make the needed actions more and more difficult to complete. Make it more therapeutic by calling out the following actions:
“Roll like a log across the room!”
“Bend over and touch your toes!”
“Sit down on the floor and stand back up!”
“Get into high kneel!”
“Walk on your knees for 10 steps!”
“Swing your right/left leg up into half kneel!”
“Do 5 wall (or wheelchair) push-ups!”
“Walk across the room using GIANT steps (walking lunges)!
Scavenger Hunt
Write a list of items for your child to find in different rooms around your house or outdoors. Have them check off each item found or collected on the list. Vary hiding spots, so that they have to reach way up high or squat to get down low, climb up/down stairs, walk or propel their wheelchair up/down inclines, traverse uneven surfaces, and maybe even crawl under the dinner table or through a tunnel!
Musical Chairs
A fun game to play with siblings! Make it even more challenging by designating target spots (e.g. with yoga mats, pillows, tape, etc.) on the floor for repeated floor-to-stands.
Dancing
Simply turn on and turn up your favorite tunes and have a dance party!
Variations – Start and stop the music randomly, having the kids freeze when the music stops!
Keep the Balloon Up
Simply blow up some balloons (be cautious of any latex sensitivities/allergies) and tell the kids to keep the balloons from touching the floor. What fun for the kids!
Be an Animal
Snake – wiggle forward on stomach
Worm – wiggle on stomach
Flopping Fish – lying on side, alternately lift shoulders & legs off floor
Spider – crawl around on hands & feet
Spider on his back – lying on back with knees bent, feet on floor, kick legs alternately in air
Seal – on stomach, crawl with arms extended, dragging legs
Puppy – hands & knees, “wag tail” (wiggle hips side to side)
Horse – hands & knees, “rear-up” on “hind legs”
Bear – hands & feet position, “lumber” using same sided foot & hand placement
Alligator – hands & knees with one leg extended behind (tail), “wag tail”
Donkey – hands & knees, kicking up legs
Crab – start by sitting on the floor, lift hips off floor & “walk” on hands & feet
Frog – squat position on hands & feet, “hop” around
Bunny – start standing, hop on 2 feet
Kangaroo – Start in a partial squat, hold object in “pouch”, hop with 2-footed jump
Grasshopper – Start in a squat, jump straight up with 2 feet
Flamingo – Stand on one leg, “flap wings (arms)” as needed for balance