These tips are a great start for kids who are just learning how to kick a ball! You have watched your baby rapidly progress through the stages of development from rolling to crawling, standing to walking, and running to jumping. Before you know it, and probably before you’re quite ready, your kiddo will be ready to be the next soccer star. You will start to notice her picking up her foot awkwardly to try to kick a ball as she [Continue Reading]
Swimming Tips for Sensory Kids & Reluctant Swimmers
Check out these 10 swimming tips for sensory kids and kids who are reluctant to get into the water. If you have a typically functioning sensory system, transitioning between one environment and another is probably pretty simple. You can move from being indoors to outdoors without much thought or awareness of the changes in the way the air feels or smells, or the difference between the surfaces you may be walking on. A child, or adult, with sensory processing issues [Continue Reading]
Hardware Store Finds: DIY Games & Activities for Kids!
These creative and budget-friendly DIY games and activities for kids are the perfect additions to this school year’s supply list! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. The final third of the summer is always a time for me to get organized for the upcoming school year. I compile my student folders, get my printable therapy planner all set up for the year, and take inventory of equipment. I also hunt for some cool new toys to add to my [Continue Reading]
End of the Year Gifts for Therapists
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]