Check out our top 10 ideas for gifts for therapists! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. It’s the end of the school year. Papers are coming home in stacks — why, why, why do they hold onto all of that artwork ALL year? Can’t it come home quarterly? Parties are happening just about everyday. Field trips are leaving little cheeks sun-kissed and little bodies tired. And your wallet might as well just be held open while the bills fly [Continue Reading]
Activities to Beat the End of the Year Blues!
These fun activities will help you beat the end of the year blues! We are hearing over and over in the schools where we work… The teachers are tired. The therapy team is bored. And the kids are DONE! But there are still plenty of school days left to fill with meaningful activities that address IEP goals and that keep kids engaged and learning in the classroom. We thought it would be fun to give you some inspired activity [Continue Reading]
Why Weight Bearing Matters for Kids
Weight bearing activities are critical in the progression of developmental skills for kids! What Does Weight Bearing Mean? Weight bearing involves the use of muscles against gravity. In this type of activity, muscle groups work together to support the bones as the body holds a position such as standing, propping up on your elbows in a prone position to play a game, or doing a downward dog in yoga. Why is Weight Bearing Important? Positions like these promote bone [Continue Reading]
Picnic Ideas: 10 Fun Picnic Blanket Games
Looking for fun picnic ideas for kids? These 10 Picnic Blanket Games are perfect for keeping kids entertained and active! How many times do you pull out your picnic blanket each summer? At my house, that same blanket comes out for ball games, fireworks, playdates at the park, sleepovers under the stars… and for picnics, of course! Here are some fun and easy picnic ideas for kids that will turn that well-loved blanket into more than just something to sit on – and they’re [Continue Reading]
How to Strengthen Core Muscles Through Play at Home
Wondering how you can help kids strengthen their core muscles through fun and playful activities at home? Check out these fun ideas! Core strengthening exercises for kids continues to be among the top search terms people use to find their way to The Inspired Treehouse. And…we are SO glad! We have written about why core strengthening is so important for kids, we’ve featured great toys and games that promote core strength, and we’ve even showed off a quick tip [Continue Reading]
SPRING ACTIVITIES: GROSS MOTOR FUN WITH FLOWERS
The arrival of spring has inspired a flurry of new spring activities here at The Inspired Treehouse! This post contains affiliate links. Read more. For this flower-themed gross motor game, we scoured our bathrooms for empty toilet paper rolls, gathered up pretty tape, found some colorful flowers and got to work! What You’ll Need: -Empty toilet paper rolls –Decorative tape -Colorful fake flowers (you could try it with real flowers too!) –Duct tape or heavier tape that will stay on [Continue Reading]
Circus Theme: 10 Awesome Activities for Kids
Planning a classroom unit, therapy session, or birthday party with a circus theme? These ideas are the perfect additions! There are so many phenomenal child development skills that can be practiced through playful activities! And at our non-profit organization, The Treehouse, that is exactly what we do. We take fabulous, playful ideas from all over the web and pull them together to create a theme based playgroup that address fine and gross motor skills, sensory integration and even academic skills! [Continue Reading]
The Best Balance Bike is One You Already Own!
What if we told you that the best balance bike is one you already have in your garage? Learn more! The weather is about to break here in the northeastern United States and the first thing my kids want to do when the weather warms up is pull their bikes out of the garage. As soon as summer hits, they will hop on them early in the morning and be out and about in the neighborhood most of the day. [Continue Reading]
Circle Time Ideas for Kids Who Can’t Sit Still
These circle time ideas are the perfect way to provide support for wiggly, fidgety kids who can’t sit still. Circle time. It’s the event that marks the start of the day for preschoolers and kindergarteners. The time when they all congregate to one area of the classroom to sit on the carpet and talk about the weather, the alphabet, and the calendar. It can also be a time of anxiety for a lot of teachers. After all, it isn’t easy [Continue Reading]