Sometimes trying to come up with activities for autistic children that are fun, educational, and inexpensive can be a struggle. So it’s reassuring to know that there are a number of possibilities, it’s just a matter of finding a few that appeal to your child’s personal tastes. The following are examples of popular activities for autistic children ages 7-11.

Indoor activities:

– Singing – Autistic children get a number of benefits from singing. Non-verbal children may hum, make sounds, or play musical instruments such as whistles, tambourines, drums, kazoos, or small keyboards. Repeating sounds, making up new melodies, or even learning educational letters can go a long way in helping children learn and can also provide much-needed sensory stimulation, the same as they would get when yelling, only more pleasing to the parents’ ears! ! Imitating the notes and melodies of others can be an important social experience that encourages interaction. Experiment with different sounds and different types of music to find the ones your child enjoys and responds to best.

– Funny sounds – Making and imitating funny sounds can be a laugh-filled social learning experience for autistic children and their parents. Children enjoy the sensory output and repetition element of this game. You can try writing several different animals or items on different sheets of paper and the one you choose should make the appropriate noise.

– Castles – Building castles with almost anything can be a lot of fun. The type of building “blocks” depends on the child’s motor skills. It can range from plastic or wooden alphabet blocks to large “Lego” or “Duplo” style blocks, or even play cards if you are right-handed by hand.

– Safe emergencies – These games are based on education, but they can also be fun. They involve promulgating the correct procedures for what to do in an emergency event. This includes what to do in case of fire and other urgent situations. The important part of these games is creating a quiet routine around yourself.

– Simple board games – Start with simple or basic board games and increase the level of difficulty as your child grows and learns to work with the rules of the games. Many board games are fun activities for autistic children because they are relatively predictable and provide routine. They also encourage taking turns, but make sure losing is never a big deal, it’s just a result. Otherwise, they may associate negative emotions with gambling and refuse to play.

Outdoor activities:

– Simple children’s games – Think back to your childhood and the games you used to play. For many children, there is no reason why they cannot participate in the basic games of childhood. As long as they are not very socially complex, many autistic children can have a lot of fun playing games like chasing or following the leader. Keep in mind that the best activities for autistic children do not require them to be in close or prolonged physical contact with other people. You may want to make sure you stick to games that focus on your child’s unique abilities to add comfort and confidence to the game.

– Organized sports – Many children enjoy participating in organized sports like any other child their age. Aim for sports that allow them to participate without too much sensory stimulation and that don’t require a lot of equipment. Golf and baseball are good activities for autistic children, while sports like football may not be suitable.

– Water balloons – Autistic children can often benefit from various sensory stimulators and water balloons may be suitable. Throwing, holding and smashing them can be a lot of fun. This also encourages children to play with others when it comes to games like “hot potato” – tossing the balloon full of water pretending to be a hot potato.

– jump rocks – If you are lucky enough to live near water and your child is responsible around water, jumping rocks can be a great way to have fun and use the muscles in the arms, which encourages the development of motor skills. If you have a large enough pool, you can try skipping the plastic floating discs.

– I spy – whether trying to spend time in the car or sitting on the patio, this game is a great way to learn colors and interact socially with others.

These activities for autistic kids are a great way to have fun, learn important lessons, and develop basic social skills without wasting the earth.