Hobbies And Interests
Cause and Effect Games
For children preschool age or older, stretch a rope between two poles then hang noise-making items along the rope. These items could be pots, cans, etc. Children in wheelchairs could toss bean bags or swinging sticks at the items on the rope.
For toddlers, active cause and effect games could include Peek-A-Boo or Follow the Leader, as suggested by the How We Play! guidebook from the University of Buffalo.
Group Games
Blowing bubbles in the air or light balls across a table can be turned into a team sport, and allow children with disabilities like quadriplegia to be part of the activities.
Another idea is have children toss a parachute in the air, letting it fall around them, placing the children who are unable to perform the activity in the middle so that they can experience the fun, cave-like atmosphere.
Games with Music
Acting out themes to songs gives children with disabilities an outlet for both physical play and creative expression. Pair this game with activities like egg hunts or caroling on holidays.
Or have children dance to the music in their own unique ways. Dancing to songs can be done by even hearing impaired children if they are able to feel the beat. This might be an opportunity for children to teach each other lyrics in sign language, as well.
Locomotive Games
An obstacle course is a locomotive game that promotes problem-solving skills for a wide range of children and their physical mobility. Use obstacles like flags tied to a clothes line. Be creative with ordinary household items that the children could get around easily in order to reach the finish line.
Other locomotion games Palaestra suggests are rolling on the ground like bowling balls to knock objects over or moving carefully through a simple haunted house.