At the heart of Conquer Therapy’s approach lies the belief that therapy shouldn’t be confined to the clinic setting, but rather integrated into everyday life. By integrating purpose-driven therapy activities at home with therapeutic techniques, we encourage intrinsic motivation of children and foster joint engagement between caregivers and their children. This integration isn’t just about hitting milestones – it’s about creating meaningful experiences that enhance a child’s overall well-being and quality of life. From sensory-rich meal prep sessions to outdoor adventures that promote gross motor skills, every moment presents an opportunity for growth and learning. The below list provides you with the benefits of incorporating therapeutic activities into daily routines.  You will discover how these small yet impactful therapy activities at home can make a world of difference in your child’s development journey.

Occupational Therapy Activities at Home

Sensory Processing

1. Play with different textures during meal prep (flour, water, etc.).
2. Use sensory bins filled with rice, beans, or sand for tactile exploration.
3. Integrate aromatherapy during calming activities like reading or bedtime routines.

Fine Motor Skills

4. Use clothespins to hang laundry or clip pictures onto a string for a DIY gallery.
5. Play with small toys like LEGO or beads to work on precision and grasp.
6. Encourage drawing or coloring activities to improve hand-eye coordination

Gross Motor Skills

7. Turn chores like sweeping or vacuuming into obstacle courses.
8. Practice balance and coordination by walking along a curb or a line on the ground.
9. Use playground equipment like monkey bars or swings to work on upper body strength.

Visual Motor Integration

10. Play board games or puzzles that require spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination.
11. Practice tracing shapes or letters in sand, shaving cream, or with finger paints.
12. Build structures with blocks or LEGO following visual instructions.

Self-care Skills

13. Involve children in dressing themselves, including buttons, zippers, and tying shoelaces.
14. Encourage independent eating by using utensils and opening containers.
15. Practice tooth brushing with different textures of toothpaste or toothbrushes.

Scissor Skills Practice

16. Cut out shapes from magazines or construction paper.
17. Create a collage using cut-out pictures or colored paper

Hand Strengthening

18. Squeeze a stress ball or playdough to strengthen hand muscles.
19. Use clothespins to pick up and transfer small objects.

Bilateral Coordination

20. Play catch with a large beach ball while sitting or standing.
21. Use a rolling pin to roll out dough for baking.

Visual Perception

22. Complete jigsaw puzzles with varying difficulty levels.
23. Play “Spot the Difference” games in books or online.

Executive Functioning

24. Create a daily schedule or checklist for tasks and activities.
25. Practice sequencing by following a recipe from start to finish.

Physical Therapy Activities at Home

Core Strengthening

26. Play games like “wheelbarrow walk” where the child walks on hands while an adult supports the legs.
27. Practice sitting on a stability ball while playing games or doing activities.
28. Encourage activities like swimming or biking to strengthen core muscles.
29. Practice “planks” or holding a push-up position for increasing durations.

Balance and Coordination

30. Practice standing on one leg while brushing teeth or washing hands.
31. Play games that involve hopping, skipping, or jumping, like hopscotch or Simon says.
32. Integrate balance exercises into outdoor play, such as walking on uneven terrain.
33. Walk along a balance beam made from a piece of wood or tape on the floor.
34. Stand on one leg while tossing a soft ball back and forth with a partner.

Flexibility and Range of Motion

35. Incorporate yoga poses into daily routines to stretch muscles and improve flexibility.
36. Use stretching exercises during playtime, such as reaching for toys or stretching arms overhead.
37. Encourage activities like dance or gymnastics to promote flexibility and range of motion.

Mobility and Walking

38. Turn walking into a game by creating obstacle courses or scavenger hunts.
39. Practice going up and down stairs safely and independently.
40. Use toys or objects to encourage crawling, cruising, or walking.
41. Set up an obstacle course using pillows, cushions, and toys to navigate around.

Posture and Alignment

42. Provide ergonomic seating and desk setups for homework or activities requiring sitting.
43. Encourage proper posture during activities like reading or watching TV.
44. Use visual cues like mirrors or pictures to promote awareness of posture.
45. Use a therapy ball to perform “back extensions” by lying face down and lifting the chest off the ball.
46. Sit on an exercise ball while watching TV or doing homework to improve core stability and posture.

Animal Walks

47. Pretend to be different animals (e.g., bear crawl, crab walk, frog hop) to work on motor planning and coordination.
48. Create an “animal walk” obstacle course with different movements and challenges.

Speech/Language Therapy Activities at Home

Language Development

49. Engage in conversation during daily routines like mealtime or bath time.
50. Label objects and actions during play or while exploring the environment.
51. Read books together and ask open-ended questions to encourage conversation.

Articulation and Phonology

52. Play games like “I Spy” to practice identifying and producing specific sounds.
53. Sing songs or recite nursery rhymes to work on rhythm and speech sounds.
54. Practice tongue twisters or silly sentences to target specific sounds

Vocabulary Building

55. Introduce new vocabulary during daily activities like cooking or gardening.
56. Play naming games where the child identifies objects or pictures by name.
57. Use flashcards or picture cards to learn and categorize new words.

Pragmatic Skills (Social Communication)

58. Role-play social scenarios like greetings, taking turns, or sharing during playtime.
59. Practice making eye contact and using appropriate body language during conversations.
60. Encourage cooperative play and problem-solving with peers.
61. Practice turn-taking during board games or card games.
62. Use puppets or stuffed animals to role-play social scenarios like asking for help or making requests.

Fluency (Stuttering) Management

63. Use slow and exaggerated speech patterns during storytelling or conversation.
64. Encourage relaxation techniques like deep breathing or gentle stretches.
65. Provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment for practicing speech

Narrative Building

66. Encourage storytelling by taking turns adding to a story during family time.
67. Act out favorite stories or make up new ones using props and costumes.

Phonological Awareness

68. Play rhyming games like “Rhyme Time” where children find words that rhyme with given words.
69. Sort objects or pictures based on initial or ending sounds.

Listening Comprehension

70. Listen to audiobooks together and discuss the characters, plot, and feelings.
71. Play “Simon Says” with auditory instructions to improve listening skills.

Mirror Play

72. Sit facing each other with a mirror in between and imitate facial expressions, mouth movements, and tongue exercises.
73. Practice speech sounds, lip movements, and tongue exercises while watching each other in the mirror.

Silly Sentences Game

74. Create silly sentences by mixing up words on strips of paper and rearranging them to form funny phrases.
75. Practice articulation, sentence structure, and creativity while laughing together.

Integration of Therapy Activities at Home

Cooking/Baking

76. Measure ingredients to work on fine motor skills and sequencing.
77. Follow recipes to practice reading and comprehension.
78. Discuss food textures, tastes, and smells to engage sensory processing.

Outdoor Play

79. Play catch or kick a ball to work on gross motor skills and coordination.
80. Explore nature to engage the senses and promote sensory integration.
81. Use sidewalk chalk for drawing shapes, letters, or obstacle courses.

Arts and Crafts

82. Use scissors and glue to work on fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
83. Practice following multi-step instructions to complete art projects.
84. Discuss colors, shapes, and textures to promote language development.

Music and Movement

85. Dance to different rhythms and tempos to work on coordination and balance.
86. Sing songs with repetitive lyrics to practice articulation and phonological awareness.
87. Play musical instruments to develop fine motor skills and auditory discrimination.

Storytelling and Pretend Play

88. Act out stories using puppets or stuffed animals to promote language and creativity.
89. Create scenarios for pretend play that require problem-solving and social interaction.
90. Encourage storytelling using pictures, props, or personal experiences.

Gardening

91. Plant seeds or seedlings in a garden or pots to work on fine motor skills and sensory exploration.
92. Discuss plant growth, colors, and textures to promote language development and scientific understanding.

DIY Sensory Bins

93. Fill bins with items like rice, beans, or water beads for tactile exploration.
94. Hide small objects in the sensory bins for a “treasure hunt” that enhances fine motor skills and attention.

Daily Chores

95. Involve children in household chores like sorting laundry, setting the table, or watering plants to promote independence and responsibility.
96. Break down tasks into smaller steps and provide visual cues or checklists to support organization and sequencing skills.

Yoga for Kids

97. Follow along with kid-friendly yoga videos or use picture cards to practice yoga poses.
98. Stretching, balancing, and breathing exercises promote flexibility, strength, relaxation, and body awareness.

Outdoor Water Play

99. Set up a water table or use buckets, cups, and sponges for outdoor water play.
100. Pouring, squeezing, and splashing activities promote fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory integration.

Why Do Therapy Activities at Home?

Incorporating therapy activities into everyday routines not only facilitates skill development but also makes learning fun and engaging for children. By weaving occupational, physical, and speech/language therapy techniques into daily activities, parents and caregivers can provide valuable support for their child’s growth and development. Whether it’s through sensory exploration during meal prep, outdoor play that promotes gross motor skills, or interactive storytelling to enhance language abilities, there are countless opportunities to nurture progress in a natural and enjoyable way. 

Want More Therapy Activities?

As we approach the summer months, consider how our therapy sessions can provide tailored support and guidance for your child’s needs. With our team of experienced pediatric therapists, we offer personalized sessions designed to address specific goals and challenges. Don’t let the summer break interrupt your child’s progress – reach out to us today to schedule therapy sessions and ensure a summer filled with growth, development, and fun!”