Ideas to enhance your kids' skills!
Ideas to enhance your kids skills!
Are you looking for low-cost ideas that can stimulate creativity, enhance cognitive skills, and foster overall growth and development. Here are some ideas that will not break the bank.
Go on a sensory adventure!
The great outdoors is FREE and San Antonio has many parks to explore and will provide sensory experiences. Take children on a nature walk where they can listen to birds singing, feel different textures. Collect rocks, leaves, sticks, flowers to create a tactile experience that engages their senses and encourages creativity.
Messy play
Kids love to play with playdough store bought or you can make your own, (see the homemade recipe on page 4, let the kids help great for skill development). Rice play (fill a tray with or container with rice), have cups, bowls spoons so kids can scoop and pour. Hide fun objects in the rice for them to find. To keep it fun, choose a different theme each time you play. Play with shaving cream and have your child write numbers, letters and draw pictures. These activities are great for eye hand coordination, spatial awareness and much more.
Art and crafts
Drawing and painting on different surfaces such as a table, floor, easel or on objects such as rocks, wood pieces will strengthen different muscles. Use scissors to cut out shapes from paper or cardboard.
Painting with different objects using (bubble wrap, cotton balls, forks, string) or making creatures out of left over boxes from the holidays, egg cartons, cardboard paper towel holders. This is work on their fine motor skills, planning skills, patience, problem solving and hand eye coordination.
Construction play
Building and stacking blocks, small boxes, Legos or Duplo, dominos, old puzzle pieces. Build a fort out of blankets, boxes, chairs to hang out in. Use small cars and roll them down a piece of cardboard or box and have races.
Structured play
Choose puzzles and games that can be adapted for different skill levels and abilities. These activities are great for fine motor skills and games are great for social interaction, encourage teamwork and patience.
Science exploration
Simple science experiments and adapted for all skill levels. Explore the reaction of baking soda and vinegar. Take a plastic bottle and add water, oil and glitter or small toys and shake up. Oil, water and food coloring are a fun activity to make a lava lamp. These experiments offer tactile and visual stimulation, making and learning a multisensory experience.
Rhythmic music-making
Music is the universal language that transcends abilities. Create simple instruments with household items, rice-filled containers or bells attached to a string, two sticks. Children can explore rhythm and sound, fostering sensory integration and motor skills.
Kindness and inclusion projects
Teach children about empathy, kindness, and inclusion through projects that benefit the community.
Create accessible care packages, craft cards for seniors at a nursing home or children in the hospital. These activities emphasize the importance of giving back and fostering a sense of belonging.