Looking for fun things to do on Christmas Day at home with your child with autism? These are 12 my favorite things… You will find sensory fun, movie ideas, slime, sweet treats, our naughty little elf and more!
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1. Play with a sensory box (or two).
Sensory boxes are such a popular sensory learning tool for children with autism and one of my best ideas for things to do on Christmas Day at home. They help autistic individuals self-regulate and are a lot of fun. They come out pretty much every day at my learning center.
2. Have a Christmas treasure hunt.
Prepare a little stash of fun surprises for your child and hide them around your home. Lead your little one on a Christmas treasure hunt. It will be fun for your child to search for the items and you’ll have so much fun playing with them once he or she finds them!
3. Play with your child’s favorite boardgames.
Whether you love classic boardgames or newer versions, you will have so much fun taking turns and playing with your child, making board games one of the best things to do on Christmas Day at home with your little one.
- I love this one, this one and especially this one!
4. Watch a Christmas movie.
I love watching Christmas movies this time of year. Get all toasty in your favorite pjs, make a hot drink and watch some fabulous Christmas movies I bed, or in front of the fireplace, together.
5. Play match the socks!
Grab some cute socks with different designs and have your child make pairs. This is such a simple game, so easy to set up and so much fun. It is one of the kids favorite games at my autism center. (This is a fun way to teach the functional skill of sorting laundry as well.)
6. Read the Elf on the Shelf and have fun coming up with silly elf activities with your kiddo.
- I love bringing out our Elf on the Shelf at my autism center every holiday season. Bring this tradition into your home too with all of my Special Elf on the Shelf tips : how to use Elf on the Shelf with your child with autism.
7. Make slime and then play with it.
SLIME! It’s taking over the World. ALL the kids love it!
8. Play with quiet books.
I come back to quiet books again and again as a wonderful learning tool. They provide hours of learning fun and can be so valuable for teaching a variety of skills.
9. Make a sensory bottle.
Sensory bottles are easy to make and the visual aspect makes them very popular with most autistic learners!
10. Bake cookies.
I love these Christmas cookie recipes (one of them is gluten-free too!) :
- Gluten Free Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Cookies (A Dash of Megnut)
- Reindeer Cookies (A Mindfull Mom)
11. Do a Christmas craft.
- I love these milk carton reindeer (Crafty Morning).
- These GIANT gingerbread men are pretty cute too (Hello, Wonderful).
12. Make some peppermint sensory rice.
This fun and colorful sensory activity smells great too!
- DIY Christmas Peppermint Rice Sensory Bin (Little Bins for Little Hands)
Bonus… 1 More
Play a Christmas I Spy Game!
I hope you enjoyed the 12 things to do on Christmas Day at home!
Do you have another fun activity to add to this list?
Pin for later!
More post to help you have a holly, jolly holiday season in your home!
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Gifts for Kids with Autism (Gifts from $5 – $100)
How to Prepare Your Child with Special Needs for the Holidays
Special Elf on the Shelf – Tips for Enjoying Elf on the Shelf with a Child with Autism
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