Winter Activities for Autistic Children – Lighthouse Autism Center

It can be difficult to find autism-friendly activities in the winter. We’ve put together a host of outdoor and indoor activities, such as nature walks and sensory boxes, to keep your children entertained during this winter season.

Winter Activities for Your Autistic Child

Autism-Friendly Outdoor Activities

Winter in the Midwest is often unpredictable, cold, and filled with snow. For parents, finding fun winter activities for kids can be challenging, and autism-friendly activities add an extra layer of consideration. While the snow can be a fun and welcome activity for children, other times, the bitter cold can prevent them from playing outside. So, how do we keep children and autistic children busy during the cold winter months? 

Outdoor Activities

When the temperature is a lovely 35 degrees (which is quite warm in this area during the winter months), and there is a fresh blanket of snow, here are just a few activities to try with your autistic child. 

• Build a snowman: This can be a wonderful activity that your child can do independently or with you as a family. Consider building a replica of a favorite character or naming your snowman. Always explain that a snowman is only temporary and will melt when it gets warmer. 
• Sledding: Get your child active by finding a park (be sure to find a safe space) where your child can enjoy a trip sledding down a hill. A favorite pastime of most, this is sure to be something your child will enjoy. Consider getting a sled big enough for two people so your child can sled with the assistance of an adult. 
• Frozen water balloons: Fill balloons with different colors of water (just add food coloring) to make a fun and beautiful display in your yard. Fill the balloons with water and place them outside. Within a few hours, you should have a beautiful display of frozen water. 
• Make snow angels: This can be one of the best sensory activities in the winter for autistic children. 
• Take a drive: Go take a look at all the Christmas decorations in your neighborhood. 
• Go for a nature walk: Being outside in the winter can be one of the most calming activities for autistic children. It provides them with an open space to run, play, and explore without the stimulation of indoor environments. If the temperatures are agreeable, bundle up and head outside to a nearby park or trail. 
• Paint the snow: A fun and creative alternative to playing in the snow is to paint it. Simply fill some squirt bottles with water and food coloring (make sure you use a lot), then turn the snow into your canvas. 

Indoor Activities

When the weather turns bitterly cold, or there are several inches of snow on the ground, you may find your child’s school closed, and you’re faced with a house full of children. Here are a few ideas to keep your autistic child (and all of your children) occupied when they are stuck inside: 

• Pajama day: Consider letting your child have a lazy day in pajamas. Make them their favorite breakfast and let them watch a favorite movie or TV show. 
• Mall visit: If the kids (and you) are itching to leave the house, visit the mall. Make a game of walking around the mall to get some steps in and energy out. If you can, let your child pick out a new toy or item once you have done a certain number of trips around the mall. 
• Movie day: You can do this at a local theater or at home. If you want to get out of the house, take advantage of discounted matinee prices and take the kids to see a favorite movie. Pop some popcorn at home and bring that jumbo-size purse to provide some affordable snacks at the theater. However, you must be aware of screen time and not let it take over the whole day. 
• Indoor snowball fight: You can buy fake snowballs or create them using crunched newspaper. 
• Make pretend snow: Bring the snow inside by combining 2 ½ cups of pure baking soda with ½ cup of conditioner in a bowl and mix together. Show your child how to make snowballs and build a snowman together inside. Show them how to play with this new texture and encourage them to tell you what they think as they touch and shape the pretend snow. This is a great sensory activity for your child with autism. 
• Build an indoor fort: Gather your sheets, blankets, cushions, and pillows for a magical afternoon at home. You can even create a “fort kit” box for that purpose. Prepare your child’s favorite snacks, read a few books, and even encourage a nap — everything is more fun in a fort. 
• Winter sensory bins: Bring the enchantment of winter indoors. One of the best indoor games for autistic kids is to create sensory bins filled with items like faux snow, pinecones, baubles, and whatever else you see fit. Encourage your child to dip their hands and describe what they discover. 

It can be difficult to find sensory activities or group skills games for autistic kids when school or their ABA therapy center is closed. Be sure to do your best to keep a routine and follow through on skills and activities they are working on at home. ABA is meant to be consistent and can only be successful if parents practice many of the same ABA skills their child works on at their ABA center at home.