Here is an index of all the therapeutic activities highlighted on this blog to date. The activities are sorted into the following categories: Movement, Drama, Music, and Art.
Movement
Dance Party Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: music player, music, and space to move
Therapeutic Value:
Promote normalization
Increase coping techniques
Encourage expression of emotions
Build legacy
Encourage physical movement
Shadow Dance Activity Notes
Ages: Ages 4 and up
Materials: Open space to move, a focused light source, and music
Therapeutic Value:
Increase creativity
Exercise
Increase self-esteem
Reinforce positive body image
Bubble Activity Notes
Ages: All ages
Materials: Liquid bubbles, bubble wands, electric bubble maker
Therapeutic Value:
Control
Creativity
Independence
Exploration of tactile stimuli
Deep breathing
New skill acquired (if it is their first time blowing bubbles)
Animal Body Movements Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up
Materials: Open space
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Major Motor Skills Development
Hospital Scavenger Hunt Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: Paper, Pencil, Camera, Glue
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Medical Play
Drama
Sheep-Sheering Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up
Materials: 2-D picture of a sheep, shaving cream, squeegee, (optional bucket or mat for cleanup)
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Fine-Motor
Sensory Stimulation
Normalization
Exploding Atoms Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up
Materials: Large space to move around
Therapeutic Value:
Expression
Control
Empathy
Team Building
Bear Hunt Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: Your creative minds!
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Expression
Control
Humor
Normalization
Peek-a-Boo Activity Notes
Ages: 0-2
Materials: None!
Therapeutic Value:
Separation play
Normalization
Attachment
Hello Goodbye Play Activity Notes
Ages: 0-3
Materials: A small toy or two
Therapeutic Value:
Separation play
Normalization
Attachment
Baby Face Game Activity Notes
Ages: 0-1
Materials: you and your baby!
Therapeutic Value:
Attachment
Human interaction
Normalization
Development of the senses (touch, sight, sound)
Language Development
Shaving Cream Play Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up (keep an eye on the little ones to make sure none of it goes in their mouths!)
Materials: Shaving cream, a flat surface, trash bags (for easy clean-up), syringe, and liquid water colors (to decorate if desired)
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Mastery
Expression
Control
Medical play (if using syringes)
Tactile experimentation
Puppet Show Activity Notes
Ages: 4-8
Materials: Curious George Puppet, Man in the Yellow Hat Puppet, and miscellaneous doctor and nurse puppets.
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Role-playing
Expression
Empowerment
Normalize health care environment
Reader’s Theater Notes
Ages: 10 and up
Materials: Something to write with and on. If doing a performance, make sure there are ample chairs and an open space for participants to stand and read
Therapeutic Value:
Promote normalization
Build legacy
Creativity
Exploration of emotions
Recall/process past events
Explore future desires
Group Story Activity Notes
Ages: 5 and up
Materials: paper, writing utensils
Therapeutic Value:
Socialization
Creativity
Discovering common ground/similar experiences
Plot Pictures Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up
Materials: Space for participants to be able to move their hands and feet easily
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Medical Play (if using a health story)
Emotional Expression
Confidence
Collaboration
Breathe Like A Dragon Activity Notes
Ages: 2-10
Materials: None
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Stress-reduction
And The Oscar Goes To… Activity Notes
Ages: 10 and up
Materials: None
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Stress-reduction
Self-esteem
Music
Shake, Sing, and Move Activity Notes
Ages: 0-2
Materials: Rattle
Therapeutic Value:
Socialization
Language Development
Expression
Normalization
Musical Slideshow Activity Notes
Ages: 10 and up
Materials: Computer, song mp3, pictures in digital format, video-editing software
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Emotional expression
Legacy building
Playlist Pick-Me-Up Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up
Materials: Computer, selection of songs, music player program, (optional: CD, ipod, or mp3 player)
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Coping technique
Emotional expression
Art
Christmas Tree Popsicle Sticks
Ages: 3 and up
Materials: Popsicle sticks, markers or paints, glue, scissors, and items to decorate with
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Legacy Building
Expression
Normalization
Toothette Painting Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up
Materials: Toothettes, paint, and paper
Therapeutic Value:
Expression
Control
Medical Play
Legacy Building
Normalization
Crystal Ball of the Future Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up
Materials: paper and writing instruments
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Expression
Control
Legacy Building
Rainbow Magazine Art Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up
Materials: Magazines, paper, glue, and writing instruments
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Expression
Control
Legacy Building
Normalization
Surprise Trick Ring Activity Notes
Ages: 5 and up (younger children will need assistance)
Materials: Colored Pipe Cleaners and a Toothette
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Medical Play/Exploration
Humor
Normalization
Skeleton Art Activity Notes
Ages: 5 and up (younger children will need assistance)
Materials: Black paper, white chalk, Q-tips, glue, assorted noodles, and any pictures of bones
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Expression
Medical Play/Exploration
Health Education
Legacy Building
Pirate Ship Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up (younger children will need assistance)
Materials: any medical supplies, tacky glue (or hot glue gun), permanent markers, tape, and any other loose parts to decorate
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Expression
Normalization
Medical Play/Exploration
Legacy Building
Do You Want To Build A Snowman Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up
Materials: Shaving cream, baking soda, and a large container
Therapeutic Value:
Tactile
Creativity
Control
Expressive
I Spy… Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up
Materials: Paper and markers (or crayons or colored pencils)
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Coping
Empowerment
Control
Legacy Building
Dream Catcher Activity Notes
Ages: 5 and up
Materials: Hoop, 2 types of string, beads, feathers, and any other decorations you want
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Expression of feelings
Empowerment
Control
Valentine Heart Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up (younger kids will need adult assistance)
Materials: paper, scissors, writing utensil, and a stapler
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Normalization
Legacy Building
Expression
Bandaid Bugs Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up (younger kids would need adult assistance)
Materials: paper, bandaids, gauze, glue, markers, and if you want, sparkles, silly eyes, or anything else you can think of
Therapeutic Value:
Medical Play
Creativity
Normalization
Control
Hospital Door Hanger Activity Notes
Ages: 3 and up
Materials: paper, crayons, markers, paints, and scissors
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Regular Schedule
Choices
Normalization
Party Hat Activity Notes
Ages: 5 and up
Materials: Paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, and tape
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Legacy Building
Goals
Specimen Cup Snow globe Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: Specimen cup, model magic, washable markers, water, and glitter
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Medical Desensitization
Legacy Building
Fine Motor Skills
Wishing Stars Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: Popsicle sticks, pen, and tacky glue
Therapeutic Value:
Legacy building
Creativity
Expression
Medical play (if using tongue depressors!)
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up (you may need to help the younger kids with cutting and pasting the small pieces)
Materials: Paper, tongue depressor, markers, glue, water, syringe, coffee filter and googlie eyes.
Therapeutic Value:
Legacy Building
Small motor control
Creativity
Medical Play
Normalization
My Hospital Story for 3-6 Activity Notes
Ages: 3-6
Materials: Paper with lines on half, pen, and crayons or markers.
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Expression
Legacy Building
Strengthening Literacy
Thankful Fall Leaf Hand Activity Notes
Ages: 3 and up
Materials: Construction paper (orange, red, brown, and yellow), scissors, and something to write with
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Legacy Building
Positive Thoughts & Reminders
Infant Stimulation Mobile Activity Notes
Ages: 0-1
Materials: card stock, black & white stimulation pictures, ribbon, scissors, and tape/glue
Therapeutic Value:
Visual Stimulation
Tracking
Parent/Infant bonding
Heart Story Map Activity Notes
Ages: All ages (parents can complete one for their infants
Materials: Paper, pencil, markers, colored pencils
Therapeutic Value:
Legacy Building
Validation
Creativity
Hospital Sensory Bag Activity Notes
Ages: 1 to 5 (don’t let the little ones play with these unattended!!!)
Materials: plastic bag, strong tape, shampoo and/or body wash, and something fun for them to explore (sequins, beads, etc)
Therapeutic Value:
Developmental Stimulation
Exploration
Motor development
Window Art Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up
Materials: Clear contact paper, tempera paints, paint brushes
Therapeutic Value:
Legacy Building (Memory making)
Self-Expression
Creativity
Fine motor skills
Origami Paper Cranes Activity Notes
Ages: 8 years and up
Materials: Square paper
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Fine Motor Skills
Centering
Medical Supplies Collage Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: Any medical supplies you can find hanging around. Also glue, tape, scissors, markers, and paints are also helpful!
Therapeutic Value:
Normalizes medical supplies
Creativity
Control
Relaxing Test Tube Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: Water, Crayons, Paper, Syringe, Test Tube, Scissors or Knife
Therapeutic Value:
Creating a coping tool
Creativity
Medical equipment desensitization
Syringe Painting Activity Notes
Ages: 3 and up
Materials: Paint, syringes, medicine cups, paper, and water
Therapeutic Value:
Promote normalization
Encourage expression of emotions
Encourage creativity
Promotes control
No-Mess Finger Painting Activity Notes
Ages: 1-4
Materials: paint, zip lock bag, masking tape
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Tactile
Blown Flower Art Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: paint, paint brush, paper, water, and a straw
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Lung strength
Spiral Friendship Bracelet Activity Notes
Ages: 7 and up
Materials: Different colored floss or string, tape, and scissors
Therapeutic Value:
Achieve a feeling of accomplishment
Creativity
Meditation
Legacy Building
Hand Print Fish Activity Notes
Ages: All ages
Materials: Paper, different colored paint, paint cleaning supplies
Therapeutic value:
Legacy Building
Exploration of tactile stimuli
Artistic expression
Wax Paper Mandalas Activity Notes
Ages: Older school age and up
Materials: Wax paper, Different colored sharpies or other permanent markers
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Independence
Self-expression
Self-soothing
Abstract Watercolor Garden Notes
Ages: Ages 4 and up
Materials: Paper (watercolor paper works best), Watercolors (liquid works best), large paint brushes, black ink (marker, pen, or paint will do)
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Self-expression
Shield Collage Activity Notes
Ages: Ages 3 and up
Materials: Cardboard or Card stock, Magazines or other pictures, Glue, Scissors
Therapeutic Value:
Empowerment
Creativity
Silly Putty Activity Notes (Biocolor version)
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: School Glue, Biocolor, Biocolor solution, 3 medicine cups, kidney basin, tongue depressor
Therapeutic Value:
Decrease Stress and Anxiety
Control
Legacy Building
Medical Play
Lego Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up (For the young kids, make sure you give them the Lego Duplo Bricks!)
Materials: Lego Bricks of any kind
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Legacy Building
Normalization
Paper Butterflies Activity Notes
Ages: 6 and up (For the young kids keep an eye on the scissors and use school glue!)
Materials: Colored Paper, pencil, scissors, glue, and tape
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Legacy Building
Normalization
Mini Pie Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up (with adult supervision)
Materials: Mini gram cracker pie tins, fruit pie fillings, pie crust, oven, rolling pin, cookie cutters, baking pans
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Fine Motor Control
Flag Activity Notes
Ages: 5 and up
Materials: paper, crayons, markers, scissors, and anything else you might want
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Fine Motor Control
Self-Esteem
Rainbow & Pot of Gold Activity Notes
Ages: 2 and up
Materials: construction paper, pencil, scissors, and glue, scissors, or stapler
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Fine Motor Control
Medical Gauze Challenge Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: construction paper, markers, medical gauze, and glue
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Fine Motor Control
Superhero Medical Supplies Challenge Activity Notes
Ages: 4 and up
Materials: construction paper, markers, various medical supplies (gauze, tongue depressors, medical tape, Q-tips, bandaids, etc) and glue
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Fine Motor Control
Ripped Mosaic Art Activity Notes
Ages: 3 and up
Materials: colored paper, pencil, and glue
Therapeutic Value:
Creativity
Control
Normalization
Fine Motor Control
Aggressive Play
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