The Utah winter chills can make it difficult for family excursions to happen. Colds and flus run rampant through kids, especially those in daycare or school. Keeping your kids engaged at home can be tricky, especially if they thrive on routine and activity.
At Nova Supports, we know how important it is to find simple, sensory-friendly ways to make the most of your time indoors. Here are some free or affordable indoor activities to keep children with autism entertained, learning, and calm during those stay-at-home days.
1. Sensory Play with Everyday Items
Sensory activities can help children explore textures, practice fine motor skills, and self-regulate emotions. Try these simple ideas:
Rice or Bean Bin:Â Fill a large container with rice or beans and add small toys for a treasure hunt.
Shaving Cream Play:Â Spread shaving cream on a cookie sheet for squishy, tactile fun (easy to clean with a damp towel! plus it smells nice).
DIY Sensory Bottles:Â Fill an empty plastic bottle with water, glitter, beads, or small toys. Seal the lid tight and let your child shake and explore.
2. Indoor Obstacle Course
Transform your living room into a fun and energy-burning adventure with a few household items:
Cushions as stepping stones
Chairs for crawling under
String for a "laser maze"
This is an easy way to incorporate physical activity and improve motor skills while getting some of those wiggles out!
3. Arts and Crafts
Art is a wonderful way for kids to express themselves, build creativity, and improve focus. Here are some simple ideas:
Collages:Â Use old magazines, construction paper scraps, safe scissors, and glue.
Finger Painting: If you’re worried about mess, tape some paper inside a plastic bag and let your child paint with their fingers on top.
Sticker Mania:Â Pick up inexpensive stickers and let your child create a masterpiece. Amazon has some sticker books that kids can use to create scenes and pictures!
4. Music and Movement
Music can be calming or energizing, depending on your child’s preferences. Turn on a playlist of their favorite songs or play some sing-a-longs on Youtube and encourage movement with:
Freeze Dance:Â Pause the music, and everyone freezes!
Marching Band Parade:Â Use kitchen utensils as drums or cymbals.
Calm Listening Time:Â Soft, relaxing music for sensory breaks.
5. Cooking Together
Cooking offers hands-on learning and practical life skills. Even simple recipes like making sandwiches or assembling fruit kabobs can help build independence. For a fun twist, let your child:
Measure ingredients
Stir or pour mixtures
Decorate cookies or cupcakes
6. Build a Blanket Fort
There’s something magical about a cozy fort. Use blankets, pillows, and furniture to create a safe, enclosed space where your child can read, play, watch a show, or simply relax.
7. Storytime and Imaginative Play
Reading books together can transport your child to another world, while pretend play fosters creativity and social skills.
Make-Your-Own Puppet Show:Â Use socks or paper bags to create characters.
Pretend Grocery Store:Â Use empty cereal boxes or cracker containers, etc., and play money to practice shopping skills.
Dress-Up Corner:Â Gather old clothes or costumes for role-playing fun.
8. Simple Science Experiments
Turn your kitchen into a mini-lab with these easy experiments:
Baking Soda and Vinegar Volcano:Â A classic and mesmerizing reaction.
Color Mixing:Â Use food coloring and water to explore how colors combine.
Ice Excavation:Â Freeze small toys in a bowl of water and let your child "rescue" them with warm water and tools. For extra fun, put warm water in water guns and have them slowly melt the ice by shooting it!
9. Indoor Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of items to find around the house. This activity can be customized to match your child’s interests, such as looking for objects of a certain color, shape, or theme.
10. Mindfulness Activities
For quiet moments, mindfulness can help reduce stress and build self-regulation skills:
Guided Breathing:Â Practice belly breathing with a stuffed animal placed on their tummy.
Yoga for Kids:Â Look up free videos online with simple poses designed for children.
Calm Jars:Â Shake a sensory bottle and watch the glitter settle as a calming exercise.
A Final Note
Hopefully at least one of our ideas for indoor activities gave you some ideas for your children with autism. Indoor days don’t have to be boring or stressful. With a little creativity, you can turn your home into a playground of fun, learning, and connection.
At Nova Supports, we’re here to help families find solutions and activities that meet the unique needs of children with autism. Have fun, stay cozy, and take it one step at a time!
Looking for more tips and strategies? Contact us to learn how we can help your family thrive, no matter the season.
Feel free to share this post with others who might be looking for indoor inspiration!
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