These easy activities for kids are perfect for families who have limited technology and limited materials on hand.
In recent weeks, most therapy bloggers have been talking a lot about telehealth physical therapy and occupational therapy. We’ve been sharing our best therapy home program activities and providing lots of free printable activities like our Springtime Writing Prompts and our Letter and Number Identification Roadmaps.
We even created an awesome Pirate-Themed Interactive Digital Movement Game – perfect for teletherapy and home programs!
But something that hasn’t been getting as much buzz is how to provide high-quality home therapy ideas for kids and families who don’t have access to devices (other than smart phones) and who may not have material resources like craft supplies and gross motor equipment available to them.
We want to make sure that every parent has access to fun and engaging activity ideas that they can do at home, regardless of whether they have printers, tablets, laptops, or a fully stocked craft supply closet.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of all of our top easy activities for kids that can be implemented at home without any supplies (or only the most basic supplies that nearly every family has on hand). Some of the activities include pdfs that can be pulled up on a smartphone, but don’t need to be printed – so families can follow along with the prompts right from the screen.
Sometimes, the simplest activities are the most fun and encourage those creative juices to start flowing! Click on each of the titles to see the full instructions.
Easy Activities for Kids: No Supplies Needed!
The Virtual Therapy Pack
Don’t miss our Virtual Therapy pack! This resource is full of more than 60 fun, engaging, colorful interactive activities for your teletherapy practice!
Sensory Motor Scavenger Hunt
Pull up the free download and follow along with the prompts to target every single sensory system!
Mirror, Mirror
A fun way to play with coordination, motor planning, social skills, and more! No supplies needed!
Wacky Relay
This fun activity is a Treehouse favorite and can be done with any object you have around the house. Vary the size and weight of the objects for an added challenge!
Partner Obstacle Course
Another fun and easy activity that doesn’t require anything but a buddy (a parent or sibling works great!).
Tricky Prewriting Practice
Lots of great ideas here for practicing prewriting practice with preschoolers. All you need is a pencil and paper.
Squishy Ball Listening Game
This is a great game for practicing direction-following, auditory memory, and motor planning. You can play with any soft toy you have around the house.
Hand Strengthening Through Everyday Play
Some of the best hand strengthening activities are the simple play activities that kids love to engage in every single day! Check out this list!
Core Strengthening Through Everyday Play
The same goes for core strengthening – so many fun and playful ways to build core strength without a lot of fuss!
Body Bridges
This one is another kid favorite and all you need is a toy car or a stuffed animal to play!
The Easiest Core Strengthening Exercises
Another set of great core strengthening ideas…no supplies needed!
Prone Position
Families can use any toy or activity they have around the house to promote play this position, supporting a range of developmental skills.
Quadruped Position
Similar to prone position, quadruped is a great position for play and can be used with so many basic toys and games that most families have on hand.
Heavy Work for Small Spaces
We know how hard it can be to give kids the sensory input they need when space and materials are limited. This list is a great place to start!
Hand Games for Motor and Cognitive Skills
We love this simple list of hand games to promote motor and cognitive skills.
Finger Games for Kids
Another fun way to promote fine motor skills, cognitive skills, and engagement!
10 Days to Conquer Challenges
These downloadable workouts can be pulled up on a phone for kids to follow along each day. Each day, they’ll build the skills they need to get closer to conquering a new skill like doing a cartwheel, shooting a basketball, completing clothing fasteners and more!
Jumping Practice
Another great thing to practice at home when equipment and supplies aren’t available. These ideas are the perfect suggestions for families!
I Spy With a Twist
Here’s another download that contains prompts for a super fun twist on this classic game that will get kids’ minds (and eyes) working overtime!
Pillow Party
All you need are your couch cushions for these fun and hilarious games! Great for building strength and providing sensory input!
10 Fun Picnic Blanket Games
If you have a blanket or a sheet, you’re all set to play any one of these 10 blanket games/activities that target a whole range of different skills.
Finger Gymnastics
Got a pencil? Then you’re ready for finger gymnastics! Give those in-hand manipulation skills a workout with these fun challenges!
Partner Painting
This activity can be done with paints, or simply with a pen or pencil. Great for visual motor integration and self-regulation.
Partner Yoga
Last, but not least…yoga is such a great option for times when space and supplies are limited. Make it even more fun by trying it with a partner with these fun ideas!
[…] with families who may not have access to anything but the most basic supplies and materials, these easy activities (no fancy supplies needed) will be right up your […]