Now that summer has arrived, here are some warm-weather ideas that will be both fun and beneficial for you and your child.

Whether your child has a sensory integration disorder or not, swimming and water play are wonderful activities. Water applies 2.2 pounds of pressure uniformly to the whole body (deep touch pressure) and it feels good to simply play in the water. To your child, the feel of water can be like getting a big bear hug, and have that same calming and organizing effect. Therapeutically, it enhances the sense of the body’s position in space, strengthens the core muscles, and promotes overall strengthening. Since so many children experience a calm feeling right after swimming, it can be a great time for quiet activities like craft projects or fine motor play. Water is also an excellent medium to promote upper body strength and fine motor skills.

Here are fun water activities that you can try with all of your children. Some children may be hesitant to enter the water with their whole body and require some time to acclimate to the water, so these activities are separated by category – ranging from activities that can be done outside of the pool for water readiness to those that have your child completely under water.

For children who are hypersensitive to or frightened of the water, at first everything should be predictable and under your child’s control so that he/she can relax and learn how pleasant water can be. Splashing, squirting, or dumping a bucket of water on a tentative child- even in jest- will only serve to raise his/her guard and put him/her on the defensive. Give your child all the time he/she needs to acclimate to the water, follow his/her lead, and monitor carefully for signs of progress – even baby steps. When your child seems ready, ask him/her to pour water on you or spray you with a water gun and then ask if you can pour water on him/her – maybe by starting with toes. Continue gradually, allowing your child to douse you, but asking “permission” (so your child can prepare him/herself) each time you want to splash, spray, or douse him/her.

The following ideas can be done in or out of the water and can help your child adjust to water play:

Watering Plants: This is a non-threatening way to help your child acclimate to water. You can encourage your child to experiment with the spray of the water by placing a finger through the stream or changing the arc of the water by directing the hose at differing heights. Let your child spray him/herself – or spray you. Be sure to wear a bathing suit.

Sponges:

• Squeezing water from a sponge to fill up a cup or container is a good way to strengthen the hands.
• Starting with smaller sponges and progressing to larger sponges can make the activity more challenging.
• Sponges can be used for target practice, or as a substitute for beanbags in the game Toss Across.
• Use sponges of different textures to help your child acclimate to a variety of tactile stimuli.

Squirt Bottles:

• Your child can use a squirt bottle to spray you or themselves. Squirting one’s self is less threatening than being squirted by someone else because it is predictable. Lots of children squirting at once is the most challenging, so be sure your child is ready.
• “Melt monsters” by squirting at Funny Foam (colorful shaving cream) characters that you create on a wall.
• Use the squirt bottle for target practice and have your child aim for a particular spot that you tape or draw in chalk.
• Make the activity more challenging by using a bigger, heavier (fuller) squirt bottle.
• It is more challenging to hold the squirt bottle at or above shoulder level.

Water Balloons:

• Playing catch with water balloons is lots of fun but is also more challenging than playing with a ball since it is squishy, slippery, and unpredictable. Your child will have to catch and throw the balloon with just the right amount of pressure to keep the balloon from bursting.
• Toss a water balloon through a hula-hoop.
• Fill water balloons with a squirt bottle.
• Water balloons can be used for target practice to challenge aim and force.

“Writing” with water: Using a small stream on a hose or a squirt bottle, your child can write letters or make shapes on a paved surface.

Theme Play: For children who love imaginary play, embedding water play in a familiar theme (i.e. princess in a castle or choo-choo trains) can motivate them to do things that they might not try if they were focused on the water per se. For example, the “princess” may be so focused on collecting her “bracelets” (diving rings) that she might not realize how far she is submerging.

Pouring and Measuring: Your child can use cups, containers, measuring spoons and cups to pour and measure water outside the pool – first using dish basins of water and then dipping cups and pails into the pool. Use your imagination to make delicious “recipes” for summer treats.

For the child who is transitioning into the water but does not yet submerge the head:

Running through the sprinkler:

• This is a good activity to help your child get used to the water and the feeling of getting wet all over.
• If the sprinkler is stationary your child will feel more in control.
• A moving sprinkler is more challenging.
• Revolve games such as tag, running bases, or hula-hoops around the sprinkler to remove the emphasis from the water.

Walking through water:

• Simply walking through the water is beneficial for developing strength and improving the sense of body position in space and balance.
• It may be even more fun to play tag by walking or running through the water.

Blow the Balloon: Get the balloon or a ping-pong ball across the pool using any stroke (even a doggy paddle) with or without a flotation device.

Aqua-jogger:

• It is a buoyancy belt worn by children and adults to keep the head above the water, but allows free movement of the arms and legs.
• While wearing the aqua-jogger your child can “jog” or “bicycle-ride” for a lower body workout.
• Do “jumping jacks” using the arms and legs for a total body workout and to begin getting used to the head being briefly under water (with support).

Pool Noodles & Kickboards:

• If your child is hesitant to submerge his/her head, using a kickboard is a wonderful way to get your child’s body into the water and gain the benefits, while enabling him/her to keep his/her head relatively dry.
• Race to see who can kick across the pool the fastest on the tummy or on the back.
• Sit on the pool noodle like a rocking horse.
• Blow water through the pool noodle to fill up a pail.

Diving Sticks & Sinkers: Have your child retrieve diving sticks from the top step of the pool. Move them progressively down the steps.

The “Bob” Game:

• To get used to submerging the head and also a great preparation for rhythmic breathing.
• Mom or Dad tells a story and every time he/she says “Bob”, the child submerges. Here’s an example: “Billy and Bob were invited to a Bob-aque on Sunday. All of their friends were invited too, including Bobara and the Bobesy twins. The food was awesome. Their favorites were Bob burgers and Bobfurters.

Rowing and Paddling: Have your child sit on a float or in a tube and row or paddle around the pool or while playing a game like “water hockey”. This is great exercise for the arms and helps develop aim.

Getting a Ride on Mom or Dad: Although it is best for your child to be active in the water, your child can still benefit by being moved passively through the water. You can give your child a ride on your belly or on your back and let him/her experience the feel of the water.

For the child who enjoys full submersion into the water, try the following:

Surface diving: Roll up into a ball and surface dive to the bottom of the pool to find lost treasures. This is especially fun for children who seek deep touch pressure.

Swimming through hoops: Either hold hula-hoops at different depths and “train for the circus” or buy weighted hula-hoops to create a “slalom course” at the bottom of the pool.

Somersaults & Handstands in the water:

• Handstands in the water are easier to accomplish than on land. Here?s your child?s opportunity to experience upside down.
• Forward rolls in the water can be done 360 degrees, which is a great challenge to the vestibular sense- our sense of movement and balance.

Diving and jumping into the pool:

• This is something that many children who crave proprioceptive input seek, and should be encouraged when the water depth allows.
• Children who are more hesitant can start by sliding into the pool from a sitting position (”sit jumps”) or “jumping” into the pool from the top of a ladder.

Treading Water:

• This will help develop lower body strength.
• Play catch or volleyball, any kind of word game, whistle, sing, or tell a joke.

Blog written by:
Aviva Goldwasser, MS, OTR
Chaye Lamm Warburg, MA, OTR