Now that school is out, you are probably trying to come up with some structured activities for your child that are fun, educational, and a little out of the ordinary. We have created a list of activities that can give you hours of entertainment and that are excellent opportunities for at-home exposure assignments for children suffering from OCD and anxiety.
Try a scavenger hunt. This is a great way to allow your child to explore. It can be done inside or out with a big or small group. This is an excellent activity to do with your neighbors.
Start a leaf collection. Go on a walk through the park or around the neighborhood gathering leaves along the way. Place them in a photo album or create a scrapbook (another fun activity) to display them in. Here’s a suggestion: make note of where you found each leaf, go back after they have changed colors, and place them next to the original. What a great learning tool.
Have a family talent/variety show. This one-night event can create hours of practice for your little ones to perfect their craft. This is also a great way for them to build their confidence and possibly discover some hidden talents they didn’t know they had.
Give storytime action. Act out your child’s favorite story. Even though they may know the book by heart, encourage them to adlib and give the story a new twist. You can even get creative by dressing up like each character.
Create an obstacle course. This is another great activity to do with your neighbors and friends. The more people you have to help put it together and participate the bigger and more inventive the course will be.
Create a family book filled with pictures, stories, and information about each member of your family. Your child can interview each member and write up a small bio about them along with a drawing of each person. This activity can be done over the course of the summer and can include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Once completed, you can have copies made and your child can give them out during the holidays.
All of these activities are excellent opportunities to allow your child to be creative and energetic. They are inexpensive, appropriate for a variety of ages, and can be done throughout the year. Don’t forget to discuss them with your therapist during your next session to see how they might be incorporated into your child’s cognitive-behavioral treatment.
