Simple and engaging games and activities for children with special needs and autism

UNICEF says play is the basic right for every child and, that is no different for a child with special needs. It's through play that your child understands the world around them, learns problem-solving, builds self-esteem and improves motor and social skills. Not to mention the sheer fun of playing. For a child with special needs, the rigorous standards and the competitive nature of traditional games can be overwhelming.

So, here are some games and activities for your child to let their hair down and have some serious fun.

Simple games and activities for children with special needs

The games listed here are suitable for all children, irrespective of their physical or psychological challenges. These games are especially suitable for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), learning disabilities, speech and language delays, Down syndrome, physical disabilities, and cerebral palsy.

Fun indoor activities for autistic children

1. Match the cards

Memory matching cards are easily available in the market. You can play this simple game by arranging pairs of matching cards face down in random order. You and your child can take turns flipping the cards. You need to flip twice, and if you get a matching pair, you can take the cards. If not, you continue playing until all the cards are matched.

2. Make some art

Can there be anything better to boost your child's self-confidence than creating something on their own? Painting with cut vegetables and fruits is easy, and soon, your child will be beaming at the masterpiece they have created.

3. Build structures 

Blocks are a staple in every child's toy collection, so dump them out and start playing. Autistic children follow a strict routine and find it difficult to break from their repetitive behaviour. By building different structures, your child can venture into trying new things and develop creativity. You can start by asking your child to copy a structure first. Then, slowly encourage them to build structures on their own.

4. Dance to a tune

Dancing is great for self-expression and for keeping your child's body in shape. And all that tapping, stomping, and twirling are so much fun. Even for children who are wheelchair-bound, dancing can help with flexibility and improve upper body strength. When you incorporate music into it, your child's brain gets a boost of endorphins, the feel-good hormones which will relax them. Also, your child can hone their social skills by being involved in a dance session with friends and family.

5. Treasure hunt

Hide your child's favourite toys or items in places where they are safe to access. You can give your child either verbal clues or visual clues, such as a drawing on a piece of paper. Don't forget to treat your child with their favourite cookies once they can find the hidden object. This fun indoor activity will help develop your child's focus and concentration and keep them engaged indoors.

6. Roll a dice

Board games are powerful tools for family bonding and learning social skills like sharing and taking turns. Choose a game of your child's liking and remember to tweak the rules to suit them with the aim of letting them have fun.

7. Go tech

Technology activities enable a child with special needs to feel accomplished and empowered. There are many games online and apps for your child to try and learn better about the world around them.

Fun outdoor activities for autistic children

1. Playing with bubbles

Bubble play can be a fun activity for your child. One of the main benefits of bubble play is that it encourages parent-child interaction. Since your child needs your support in blowing the bubbles, your child will make more eye-to-eye contact with you or try to communicate verbally using a sound or a word. This activity is also suitable for motor development as your child will run around quite a bit trying to catch and burst the bubbles.

2. Throw a ball

Ages: 3 to 5 years, 6 to 9 years

Benefits: Motor coordination, self-confidence, and social skills

Suitable for: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disability

Physical play can enhance your child's awareness of their body and build endurance. More than that, participating in a sports activity can greatly affect your child's psyche. Line up some plastic glasses and play a bowling game. According to your child's abilities, you can also consider including rules or involve them in a more formal game.

3. Splash in the water

Water is therapeutic. Playing in the water can calm and soothe your child's nerves. Add some bath toys to an inflatable pool for a younger child and let them have fun. Make sure an adult is supervising when the child is in the water. An older child can have fun outdoors with a garden hose or sprinkler.

4. Hide and seek

Playing a game of hide-and-seek is a great way to help your autistic child interact and socialize with their siblings or other children. As much as possible, play the game in an enclosed area and ensure supervision of your child the whole time. Use a bit of role-play to make your child understand the game and show them some safe places to hide. This game will help your child develop important social and analytical skills which are useful later in life.

Sensory activities for kids with autism

1. Create a sensory tub

Processing sensory information can be a challenge for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or other developmental delays. A sensory bin can come in handy to integrate your child's senses and improve their attention. Take a big, shallow tub and add household items like rice, lentils, or flour. You can also add food colour to make it interesting. Let your child scoop, pour, measure, etc., and have a blast.

2. Sorting with snacks

Give your child a plate with various snacks that are different in shape, colour, and texture. Ask your child to sort the snacks based on these characteristics. You can also use this sensory activity to teach basic maths skills such as addition and subtraction. Reward your child if your child cooperates well with the activity by letting them eat the snack.

3. Colourful ice painting art

This is a fun and simple sensory activity that you can introduce to your child. Fill an ice tray with acrylic paints and allow it to freeze in the refrigerator. You can take the paints out once frozen and let your child draw beautiful patterns with them on a sheet of paper. The sensory stimulation from using the cold ice paint will surely delight your child.

4. Jewellery with yummy snacks

Making edible jewellery is one fun activity that your child is bound to enjoy. Help your child string items like ring-shaped breakfast cereals, candies, crispies, and tiny biscuits to make some stylish and yummy jewellery. Knot both ends and adorn your child with the necklace before they can start munching on it. Threading small items with holes will help improve your child's fine motor skills.

5. Create a textured sensory collage

Help your child create a sensory collage with items of distinct textures and shapes. These items could include anything from fabric, glitter, paint, and even leaves, mud, or sand. Give them a sheet of paper or cardboard on which they can stick these items to form a collage. This activity will offer them a tactile and visual experience that will keep them engaged for hours.

6. Make a glitter sensory bottle

Making a glitter sensory bottle can be a fun sensory activity for autistic children. For this activity, you will need a clean empty plastic bottle, glitter, watercolours, and a glue gun. First, fill one-quarter of the bottle with soapy water. Then, invite your child to add some glitter and watercolour to the bottle. Then, fill the bottle with warm water and seal the cap tightly with a glue gun. Letting your child play with the sensory bottle can help them stay calm and relaxed. It can also help as a calming tool to manage your child when they are having a meltdown.

7. Sensory play with textured rubbing 

Rubbing on a textured surface is a good tactile activity for children on the spectrum. Coin rubbing is one sensory activity you can incorporate into your child's daily routine. For this activity, you will need some coins, a plain piece of paper, and a pencil or crayon. Ask your child to keep the paper on top of the coin and rub the crayon over it. Not only will they enjoy creating colourful patterns, but it will also help improve their hand-eye coordination.

Social skills activities for autistic children

Socializing can be very difficult for children on the autistic spectrum. Here are some social skill activities which will help them interact and communicate with others around them.

1. Put on a show

Puppets, soft toys, and dolls give an opportunity for your child to understand abstract concepts, be involved in imaginative play, and practise spontaneity. Play a game where you line up your child's puppets and act out a scene. You can be vivid and expressive and encourage your child to follow suit. This way, your child can learn to identify emotions.

2. Follow the leader

Age: Older kids and teenagers

Autistic children often have trouble with routine daily activities. This social skill activity will help your teen perform simple activities such as making their own bed, changing their dress, or preparing breakfast. The idea is to break down a task like making the bed into three or four steps. Announce that you are going to make the bed. Show your child each step carefully and ask them to mimic your steps. With repetition, your child will be able to do this on their own. Follow the same method to teach your child to become independent with other routine tasks.

3. Emotion sorting activity

Age: Younger kids and teenagers

Kids with autism often struggle to express or identify emotions. Use this simple activity to help them learn about each emotion.

These games and activities help engage your kids and encourage them to be spontaneous and enjoy themselves.