Check out this super simple idea for how to make your own pencil fidgets! You may already have the materials in your desk or storage cabinet! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more If you've followed us for awhile, you know that we're big fans of using fidgets, alternative seating, and other sensory strategies in the classroom and at home to give kids' bodies what they need to learn! Many kids (and adults) have a tendency to fiddle and fidget with objects throughout the day. Fidgeting and movement can help with focus and attention - as long as it's not causing distraction to ... Read More about How to Make Pencil Fidgets for Kids
Kids Thanksgiving Balance Challenge
This kids Thanksgiving balance challenge is a fun and engaging way to work on balance by changing positions on an uneven surface! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. We're always on the search for fun new kids Thanksgiving activities. We have a ton of crafty fine motor options in our archives (you can find them all here!) but this year we wanted to think outside the box with some new gross motor ideas for the holiday. We got to thinking about how we could use our tried and true laminated turkey feathers to create a fun balance game for kids...here's what we came ... Read More about Kids Thanksgiving Balance Challenge
Simple Obstacle Course With a Twist!
This fun and simple obstacle course with a twist is a great way to work on gross motor skills, but also challenges other skills like self-regulation and direction-following! If you're a pediatric therapist, you're probably already a pro when it comes to coming up with fun obstacle course ideas! But this fun and simple obstacle course with a twist may be new to you - which means that it could be the perfect idea to keep your sessions fresh and exciting! The best part is that you don't need any particular materials or props for this activity! Use whatever you have on hand or choose the ... Read More about Simple Obstacle Course With a Twist!
Free Thanksgiving Printables: Turkey Pompom Bag
Looking for Free Thanksgiving printables? This Turkey Pompom Pusher Bag is for you! This activity is a great way to work on fine motor and visual motor skills! Have you seen our free pompom pusher bags? These free printables are a fun and unique way to help kids work on letter and number formation and other visual motor skills. Now, we've come up with a version that's perfect for the holiday season! You'll definitely want to add this to your list of Thanksgiving printables this fall! What you'll need: -Large clear resealable bag -Pompoms -Free printable turkey template ... Read More about Free Thanksgiving Printables: Turkey Pompom Bag
Camping Themed Activities: Happy Camper Obstacle Course
If you're looking for fun camping themed activities for kids, this Happy Camper Obstacle Course is the perfect addition to your bag of tricks! Our camping theme is one of our favorites at The Treehouse! There are so many fun and creative camping themed activities for kids that are great for promoting fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and more! This Happy Camper Obstacle Course is no exception! Kids will love pretending to participate in all of the fun activities that you get to do at camp - from fishing to canoeing to riding a horse! And the best part is that you won't need ... Read More about Camping Themed Activities: Happy Camper Obstacle Course
Apple Themed Obstacle Course for Kids
Kids will have a blast picking their own apples and working on all kinds of gross motor skills in this fun apple themed obstacle course! *This post contains affiliate links. Read more. If you didn't make it to the apple orchard this year, it's not too late! This fun obstacle course is the perfect activity to add to your fall plans to promote balance, core strength, coordination, jumping, crawling, and more! What you'll need: Small lightweight plastic balls (ball pit balls are perfect) Clear packaging tape Gym ramp/wedge Floor spots Practice stair set Balance ... Read More about Apple Themed Obstacle Course for Kids
Developmental Skills: Learning How to Skip
Learning how to skip can be a challenging skill for many kids. These tips can help! Skipping is a skill that you will often see a 5 year old beginning to master as they gain body awareness and bilateral coordination. It’s a locomotor skill that is seen during games of tag in the backyard - and an indicator of pure joy on the playground! But, this skill is SO HARD for some kids and, as a pediatric physical therapist, it is one of the hardest skills to teach. Skipping is a target skill on some of our standardized testing and is a benchmark ability in physical education class. Here ... Read More about Developmental Skills: Learning How to Skip
Sticky Spider Web Halloween Obstacle Course
This Sticky Spider Web Halloween Obstacle Course is a fun challenge for kids of all ages! Kids will love this creative obstacle course idea, where they'll get to place tiny spiders on the sticky web! This activity is perfect to use in the classroom, in the therapy room, or at a Halloween party at home! What you'll need: -Scooter board -Rope -Hula hoop -Clear packaging tape -Crepe paper -Plastic toy spiders -Balance beam What to do: Check out the video of this Halloween obstacle course here. Place all of the plastic spiders on the floor at the start of the ... Read More about Sticky Spider Web Halloween Obstacle Course