12 Days Of Christmas Activities

Need some help to survive the Christmas holidays?

Much as we look forward to the Christmas break, the normal day-to-day routines of school, work and community activities all end with the start of the holidays. Lack of routine and planned activities can be a challenge so we have come up with our 12 days of Christmas activities.

Community based Christmas Activities

1. We love that so many places in our communities are catering for individuals with Autism. Why not try a trip to an Autism friendly cinema screening.
2. There are usually great Christmas activities arranged in your local area to keep everyone occupied. You can check the day out with kids website to find out what is happening in your local area.
3. If the weather looks agreeable why not try one of the beautiful National Trust 12 Walks of Christmas. Check their website for details about the ‘Access all Areas’ card that admits a carer free of charge. You can also request one free carer admission on the day.
4. Relaxed performances are becoming more common and are extremely well suited to those with Autism who need more space, less noise and a little more light. Sensory Seeker has compiled a list of relaxed Panto performances around the UK.

Craft Christmas Activities

1. Christmas themed colouring and writing activities can be lots of fun. Activity Village have a huge supply of Christmas activities including colouring, writing and puzzle printables.
2. Why not get messy in rain gear and boots with Alice & Amelia’s Popping Paint balloons? Use Christmas coloured balloons and paints, glitter and sparkly sequins. Practice blowing up balloons then stomp, pop and squish them to make some Christmas fun.
3. Sensory Christmas activities can be a great way to calm individuals when the hustle and bustle becomes too much. Autism Empowerment have a range of fun and simple activities to choose from.
4. Head out for a Christmas nature walk and collect pine cones. Once home you can use them to make some Glitter Christmas Tree Pine Cones.

Christmas Games

1. Jenae at ‘I can teach kids’ has a brilliant Christmas tree sorting game that you can make and then play as a family. Once made you can colour match and sort while getting some motor practice.
2. For older individuals why not try teaching some online card games. There are lots of videos with clear visual and vocal instructions like this. The skill can then be transferred to using actual playing cards so you can play anywhere.
3. We love the Growing Hands on Kids I spy bottle. Wouldn’t it be extra special to add Christmas themed trinkets instead? Try adding some Christmas buttons, small decorations and tinsel then practice finding named objects. You could increase the difficulty by having your child describe the objects they can see. Or play a traditional ‘I spy’ game with the contents.
4. Looking for a mix of Christmas fun and generalisation? Itsy Bitsy Fun have a wonderful range of free printable Christmas themed File Folder Games.

And so ends our 12 days of Christmas activities to keep everyone busy over the holidays.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our readers a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Join us in the New Year for more and if there is anything you would like us to cover in our posts next year please get in touch.