Calming Activities for Kids
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Sensory overload – or sensory overstimulation – occurs when an individual is extremely sensitive to environmental stimuli. This results in avoidance of a particular task or activity due to a particular type of sensory input.
Examples of Overstimulation:
- The sound of other children screaming
- Car engines revving or car alarms going off
- Touch stimuli from bumping into others in a large crowd
- Strong odors or other smells
- Too many words on a page
How do I know if my child is overstimulated?
- Tantrums or irritability
- Covers eyes or ears
- Inability to focus on an activity
- Irritation from clothing
- Difficulty with social interactions
- High or low activity level – atypical compared to peers
Calming Activities for Kids:
- Let them jump around and stretch their arms out in a body sock.
- Allow them to read in a pea pod like this.
- Carrying a heavy box or basket of items from one room to another will provide them with the “heavy work” they need to give their muscles the sensory input they are seeking.
- Give them permission to do their work in a tent. The privacy of the tent removes the stimulation of the environment that may be frustrating for the child.
- Any movement in a linear back/forth motion can be calming for a child. (Think: rocking chair, running in a line back and forth). This is why you may see a child with autism self-soothing by rocking back and forth.
Calming Tools/Equipment for Kids:
- A weighted blanket can be used in the classroom or at home. During long periods of seat work or homework time, a weighted vest can be worn to help keep the child grounded.
- Fidget toys like these can be used for both stress relief and keeping their hands occupied.
- Deep pressure tank tops can be worn underneath their clothes. The compression and soft material provide just the right amount of sensory input.
- Sunglasses, headphones, and hats can be helpful accommodations for kids that need a little less stimulation in their environment.
- Calm down jars and kinetic sand or PlayDoh can give the child something to focus on besides their frustration.
Question of the Day:
- What are some calming strategies that work on you or your children?
These are some great ideas!!
Thanks for the calming tips. My middle child has a lot of energy and gets over stimulated. I’ve noticed that when I let him read, he is able to calm down and refocus. I’ve never though about carrying heavy items from one room to another so thanks for the share.
This is fascinating. I’m working on some of these strategies with one of my kids who suffers from anxiety easily. Right now we’ve been working on breathing exercises. But I’m loving that tent idea to give him space and privacy.
Oh I love this post. Thank you for sharing all of those tips!
Great tips! I could have used these 25 years ago lol.
Really really good recommendations.
Thank you for this! I have a sensory (heavy work) kid who was adopted from foster care. Good tips!
Great ideas – even for kids who just need a little extra motivation or help focusing. I honestly love giving my kids a little private space or nook for them to work or read. It just makes it easier to get comfortable and interested in whatever activity they need to complete.
It’s true! As grown adults, we all like to have a “safe haven” or a place of work that will increase productivity!
I don’t have kids but I imagine these are really helpful tips! Being a parent can be overwhelming sometimes (all the time??).
Very helpful article especially for new parents!
We have quiet time everyday with blocks or book/tent time. 🙂
You can make sensory bottles out of empty plastic water bottles. Just add some clear corn syrup, a few drops of food coloring (blue is nice) and a small handful of glitter or metallic confetti. We always super-glued the caps on for safety. Tipping the bottles and watching the ‘ooze’ slide from one end to the other is soothing. You can also fill the bottle with a handful of the glitter/confetti and small beads and fill the bottle most of the way up with water. Shake it up and watch everything float around. (I actually still have a few of these around my house for when we have babies/toddlers over. They find them very entertaining!)
I love this list. My kids are so revved up after school that I’m desperate for stuff to calm them down.
Love this! Never even heard of many of these tips.. thank-you for sharing!
I wonder if these would work on an adult. Sometimes I need some calming haha 😉
These are really great tips! I have a nephew that has a lot of sensory issues, I am sharing this with my sister in law, thanks for the ideas!
Great ideas and suggestions for those with little ones. I remember those days!
Good choice activities, kids nowadays need this a whole lot more than we think of it… nice tips and ideas
It is too bad that schools can’t do this type of thing. I see melt downs in the classroom often.
These are great techniques