Parents know that when it comes to "snow days" for our children, our first thought isn't always the excitement of a day off, but the wonders of how this may affect our daily routines set in place on the spectrum. Below are Bancroft's Top 5 Sensory Snow Day Activities that may be helpful for your family this winter season!
1. Make a Snow Ice Cream Cone!
Items needed: Spoon, Bowl, Favorite Ice Cream Topping
Directions: Bring a spoon and bowl outside, pick a clean patch of snow, and start filling up your bowl. When your bowl is filled, come inside to pour your favorite ice cream topping and enjoy your sweet winter dessert!
How this is helpful:
- Hand & Eye Coordination
- Sense & Pride of Achievement
- Fine Motor Development
2. Snow Day Printables or Draw A Snow Day
Items needed: Google, Printer, Paper, Crayons/Markers
Directions: Google free simple printable coloring pages or grab a piece of paper and draw the snow day outside.
How this is helpful:
- Fine Motor Development
- Concentration
- Color Recognition
- Hand & Eye Coordination
- Sense & Pride of Achievement
3. Frosty the Sensory Snowman
Items needed: Ziploc bags, White Shaving Cream, Black and Orange Paper, Scissors, Clear Tape
Directions: Draw Frosty’s eyes, nose, and mouth onto the black and orange papers and cute out your snowman’s facial features with scissors. Next, fill the Ziploc bag with shaving cream halfway and insert Frosty’s eyes, nose, and mouth into the bag. Remove extra air from the Ziploc bag and used tape to secure the top to prevent Frosty from melting away!
How this is helpful:
- Fine Motor Skills
- Hand Strength
- Learning to Follow Instructions
4. Paint The Snow
Items needed: Bucket, Snow, Food Coloring, Water, Small Containers, Paintbrushes
Directions: Fill a bucket or large container with snow from outside. Mix drops of food coloring and water in small containers for paint. Begin painting the snow!
How this is helpful:
- Creativity
- Fine Motor Skills
- Hand & Eye Coordination
5. Snowflake Stamping
Items needed: Foam Snowflake Stamps, Paper, Paint
Directions: Using a variety of paint colors and snowflake shapes, create different winter wonderland scenes to match the snow outside.
How this is helpful:
- Creativity
- Fine Motor Skills
- Concentration
