Rainy day? Don’t worry! There are lots of fun and engaging indoor activities you can do with your child with autism. A day inside doesn’t have to be boring. It can be a great opportunity
Here in Paris, we have lots of rainy days! I have come to love them – they give us extra time to work on fun, indoor projects at my center for children with autism.
10 fun and engaging indoor activities to make a rainy day in with your autistic child fun and educational
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1. Paint your child’s nails.
Painting nails can be a really fun activity to share with your child. You can use nail polish as part of pretend play or as a reinforcer for table activities.
If you choose to paint your child’s nails, I highly recommend using a child-friendly nail polish. This nail polish in non-toxic, child-safe, 100% chemical free and low odor. (I recommend using non-toxic nail polish remover too.)
2. Cook!
Engage with your child by following a step by step recipe. Added bonus : at the end of your activity together, you will have delicious treats to eat.
Recipe Ideas :
3 Delicious Gluten Free Desserts
18 Gluten Free Snacks for Kids with Autism
Gluten Free Food List for Children with Autism
Gluten Free Spiced Popcorn Recipe
3. Do some indoor gardening with your child.
Water some indoor plants or create your very own indoor fairy garden. We have had so much fun making miniature fairy gardens with the kids at my center. Miniature gardening is a wonderful indoor activity. This is my favorite miniature gardening book which will give you tons of fun and creative ideas!
4. Start a journal with your child and add photos, stickers and drawings inside.
I love journaling with kids with autism for so many reasons. Journaling is such a fun and effective way to engage your child and to work on a variety of skills. Adapt your journaling to your child’s current skill level and enjoy this educational and fun indoor activity on a rainy day.
Some fun materials to get you started :
I love this glow-in-the-dark space journal for kids
Thomas the Train Reward Stickers
5. Have some sensory fun with your child!
5. Have some sensory fun with your child!Sensory boxes are a fantastic indoor activity for children with autism. The best part about these sensory box ideas is that you probably already have all of the materials you need to pull them together at home.
Sensory Ideas :
Free Printable Colorful Socks Playdough Mat
Free Printable Fish Bowl Playdough Mat
Printable Sensory Communication Workbook
Create a Sensory Room – if you don’t have one already
15 Printable Animal Play Dough Mats
6. Enjoy a good book (or three)!
Reading is one of the absolute best indoor activities to enjoy with your child.
Related Post :
10 Best Board Books to Teach Children with Autism New Vocabulary
7. Play a fun matching game.
Matching is an important skill to incorporate into your child’s home learning program. What better time to work on matching skills than a rainy day inside?
These are some of my favorite matching games for kids with autism :
Fill the Fridge! Free Printable Matching Game
Color Matching Eggs & Pompoms Game for Kids with Autism
Free Printable Fish Matching Game for Kids with Autism
Easy Farm Animals Matching Game
8. Choose a fun paper project to do with your child.
9. Find an old cardboard box and make something amazing!
It could be a dramatic play washer, dryer, handbag with pipecleaner handles or your cat’s dreamhome. Check out these ideas on this awesome Buzzfeed list.
10. Engage your child in some pretend play.
These are my favorite pretend play ideas for kids with autism.
Last, but certainly not least, have fun! Did you like this article? What do you like to do with your little one on rainy days?
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