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Mama OT: http://mamaot.com/when-can-kids-feed-themselves-mealtime-milestones/

AOTA - Establishing Mealtime Routines for Children
https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-Clients/ChildrenAndYouth/Mealtime.aspx

Gross Motor Development for Mealtime: https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2016/10/26/postural-control-mealtime/

Complete Guide to Self-Feeding and Mealtime: https://www.theottoolbox.com/ultimate-guide-to-self-feeding-and/

The Unstoppable Eating Toddler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjrP0vuMTeM

SOS Approach to Feeding

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SOS Approach to Feeding

A transdisciplinary program for assessing and treating children with feeding difficulties

When Children Won't Eat

Sometimes, discerning the difference between a "picky eater" and a problem feeder can be difficult. Determining whether or not your child is even a "picky eater" to begin with isn't necessarily simple. It could just be a hiccup in their developing tastes, or a little phase they're going through. But if your child is a picky eater or a problem feeder, they will likely require support to learn how to eat a more varied diet. If you're concerned about a potentially "picky eater" in your life, read these common questions and learn whether SOS Approach to Feeding can help your child.

Picky Eaters vs. Problem Feeders

1. If you were to make a list of all of the foods that your child eats, how many foods would be on that list?

2. Does your child eat the same food over and over, then suddenly stop eating that food (Food Jag)? Will they accept that food again at some point in the future, or is that food typically lost?

3. What happens if you put a new food on their plate?

4. Do they eat at least one food from most nutrition (proteins, vegetables, etc.) and texture (purees, soft foods, chewy foods, etc.) categories?

5. What does their plate look like at meals compared to the rest of the family's?

6. How hard is it for them to learn about new foods?

7. How often has your child been reported as a "picky eater" at well-child check-ups?

Discover the differences between Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders with the Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders Questionnaire.

Read More

Parents & Caregivers

We know that each child and situation is unique, and we've seen the heartbreak and fear that can come when things aren't going well. We know it's much more than "just a phase," and that ensuring your child is getting the nutrients necessary to not just survive, but flourish, is no easy task. Let us help.

Start Here

Professionals

The SOS Approach is the only results-driven feeding program with 30 years of proven clinical experience helping children learn the skills they need to eat well. We've been training professionals in the field about feeding challenges and how to best utilize our approach in their practices for decades, and the results speak for themselves. If you're looking for ways to expand how you work with children with feeding problems, we can help revolutionize the way you look at assessment, what treatment strategies you use, and how to best improve your impact on parents and caregivers.

Start Here

Whether you're just starting out in treatment with your first child with a feeding disorder, or you have been doing this for years, SOS provides information and strategies to improve your skills to help even the most challenging children.

SOS Training Conferences

All training in the SOS Approach to Feeding begin by attending the Main Training Conference. This conference provides the foundational information in feeding development, assessments, and therapy using the SOS Approach to Feeding. View the SOS Conference Schedule

Advanced Workshops

After completing the SOS Approach to Feeding Main Training Conference, therapists can take our online, pre-recorded Advanced Workshops. These workshops provide advanced techniques that address special populations and specialized topics in feeding, allowing you to gain additional information relevant to your setting. View Topics and Register

SOS Mentorship

After completing the SOS Approach to Feeding Conference and taking selected Advanced Workshops based on your clinical population, you can join a Mentorship Course. Mentorship provides personalized guidance and feedback on the use of the SOS Approach in your setting and with your clinical caseload. View Upcoming Mentorship Courses

SOS Certification

After completing all of the above steps, you can take the Certification Course to become a Certified SOS Therapist. This course provides expert-level training for therapists who demonstrate mastery of the SOS Approach and to utilize the SOS Philosophies in treatment. SOS Certification is required for those who wish to do research on the SOS Approach to Feeding program. Learn More & Register

The Parent and Caregiver Workshop offers an introductory view of the SOS Approach to Feeding to help Parents and Caregivers understand how complicated feeding/eating is, why children may struggle to eat, and how to help children to eat better. This Workshop will teach Parents and Caregivers about the foundational skills needed for eating. Practical Strategies are discussed so Parents and Caregivers can help their children learn to have a lifelong healthy relationship with food. This Workshop will be addressing common feeding issues often seen in young children, to struggles that "picky eaters" may have, and the challenges of the "problem feeder".

Copyright SOS Approach to Feeding © 2024 | Web Design by Webolutions

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SOS Approach to Feeding | Feeding Disorders in Children

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The SOS Approach to Feeding provides information and strategies to improve your skills to help even the most challenging children learn to eat.

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self-feeding & using utensils
http://www.specialkidstn.com/therapyandnursingblog/2017/7/12/self-feeding-skills-and-using-utensils

therapy activities for ADLs - https://therapyfunzone.net/blog/ot/dressing/

self-dressing
https://www.theottoolbox.com/independence-self-dressing-fine-motor-skills/

working on dressing skills through play
https://therapyfunzone.net/blog/work-dressing-skills-play-activities/

self-bathing
https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2016/09/28/task-analysis-bathing-children/

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Learning the skill of putting on and taking off socks is a right of passage in early childhood.
When you can tell your kiddo to go put on their shoes and socks...and then they can actually do it?...that's a whole new level of independence for them and freedom for you!
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (see my full disclosure).
DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRESSION OF TAKING OFF AND PUTTING ON SOCKS

Developmentally speaking, kids generally learn to take off clothing items before they learn to put them on. With socks, they can typically learn to cooperate with dressing by sticking out a foot by 12 months of age, take off loose-fitting socks by 18 months of age, put on socks with assistance for orientation by 3 years of age, and put on socks independently by 4 years of age.

WHY BEING ABLE TO TAKE OFF AND PUT ON SOCKS IS IMPORTANT
Occupational Therapists can help parents and children learn how to build dressing skills and/or modify dressing tasks in order to help children be more successful and independent with this Activity of Daily Living (ADL).
Research has shown that, for parents of children with autism, improving independence in ADLs such as dressing, feeding, and personal hygiene is often a priority. These skills improve an individual's ability to live independently and reduce the need for one-on-one assistance at home and in the community. Learning to independently manage socks is just one small piece of the larger independence puzzle.

A LITTLE TRICK FOR LEARNING TO PUT ON AND TAKE OFF SOCKS

If you have a child (or are working with a child) who is struggling to learn how to take off or put on socks, try this clever OT trick featured in my 30-second video below! It's a simple but creative #OThack to practice putting on and taking off socks!

All you need are some hair rubber bands, hair scrunchies, or regular rubber bands. As the child learns to stretch them over the foot, pull them up above the ankle, and then take them off, they are practicing the basic concepts needed for putting on and taking off socks! And not only are they physically putting on and taking off, they are also practicing the foundational skills needed for success with socks. This includes bilateral (two-sided) coordination, postural control (sitting up without losing balance), motor planning (planning out and executing a new motor task), body awareness, attention, and hand skills. All that developmental power in one simple little activity!

A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER WITH THIS ACTIVITY

If the rubber bands leave a mark on the skin, they are too tight. Fabric scrunchies like these ones are your best bet when starting out.

Remember that regular rubber bands usually have latex in them, so use a latex-free option when working with children with latex allergies.

A multi-color pack of rubberbands or scrunchies are way more engaging than a pack of all the same color.

This is something you can find at the dollar store!

Turn it into a game by rolling a die and then putting on that number of rubberbands...take turns and work together until you've put all of them on, and then have taken them all off.

If you have a color die like this one, turn it into a game by rolling a color and then putting on or taking off a designated number of that color.

Roll a number die AND a color die to determine how many of each color to put on.

Keep in mind that there are many different types of prompts that can be used to teach children new skills (learn more in this post about using prompts effectively to teach kids new skills)

SEND THIS ACTIVITY HOME IN A PACKET

I've started sending packets of therapy activities home with my OT kiddos and their families so they can play and practice together during the week. Then, after they've played with their OT packet five times (within a week of taking it home), they can bring it back and exchange it for a new one. This is something I've been inspired to start doing ever since I learned about Fine Motor Boot Camp, and it's been pretty successful. This rubber band-on-the-foot activity would be a perfect one to try out in therapy, and then send home with your kiddo for additional practice during the week. It would be especially appropriate for children that are already working toward a sock goal or other similar self-help skill goal. Just put the rubber bands/scrunchies, a number or color die, and a sticky note inside a clear office packet. On my sticky note, I usually jot down any specific prompts, modifications, or tips the parent needs to know for a successful week of practice!
Here are examples of packets you could use for sending home this OT activity:
MAKE THIS ACTIVITY EASIER
For taking off:

Model the action first, then have them try

Get the child started by sliding the rubber band down over the ankle, then the child can finish it by pulling it off the foot (this is known as "backward chaining" and helps the child feel successful and build confidence by finishing the task on their own)

Help the child place their thumb inside the rubber band when it's above the ankle, then they can pull it down and off their foot (also a form of "backward chaining")

Allow the child to sit and lean against a support surface if needed (such as leaning against a wall, side of a bed or couch, sitting in a low chair with a back, or sitting in an adult's lap)

Use simple, specific, consistent verbal cues (such as "thumb in, push down" or even just "thumb, push" or "thumb, down")

When initially introducing or teaching this activity to a child who is really struggling, try a most-to-least prompting approach to reduce errors in the initial learning process

For children or adolescents who are really struggling, you could also consider video modeling or video prompting (they are two different things)

For putting on:

Model the action first, then have them try

Get the child started by placing the rubber band over the toes, then the child can finish by pulling it up and over the ankle ("backward chaining")

Help the child place their thumbs inside the rubber band before they attempt to place it on their foot, then they are optimally positioned for success

Use simple, specific, consistent verbal cues (such as "thumbs in, foot in, pull up" or even just "thumbs, foot, pull" or "thumbs, foot, up")

When initially introducing or teaching this activity to a child who is really struggling, try a most-to-least prompting approach to reduce errors in the initial learning process

For children or adolescents who are really struggling, you could also consider video modeling or video prompting

MAKE THIS ACTIVITY HARDER
For taking off:

Challenge the child to use the opposite hand (right hand if doing left foot and vice versa) to encourage midline crossing and bilateral integration

Challenge the child to close their eyes so they use more of their tactile, kinesthetic, and proprioceptive senses (all related to body awareness)

Challenge the child to take it off of someone else's foot (this is a different motor plan and visual perspective)

Challenge the child to take off the rubber band while standing and leaning their back against a wall, standing without leaning against any support surface, sitting on a small step stool without back support, or sitting on an unstable surface to challenge postural control (such as an air cushion, peanut ball, or kid-sized exercise ball)

For putting on:

Try putting on two or more at the same time

Close eyes

Try using only one hand

Put it on someone else's foot

Put it on while standing and leaning against a wall, standing without additional support, sitting on a low stool, or sitting on an unstable surface

MORE THERAPY RESOURCES (AFFILIATE LINKS)
The Developmental Progression of Self-Dressing Skills DIY Sock Helper for Kids from TheInspiredTreehouse.com OT Mom's Activities for Bilateral Coordination OT Mom's Fine Motor Activities OT Mom's Core Exercises for Kids OT Mom's Shoulder Girdle Exercises for Kids OT Mom's Scissor Activities Want access to all of OT Mom's e-books? Check out her Mega Motor Bundle which includes all of her e-books at a discounted price! References:
Teaford, P., Wheat, J., Baker, J. (Eds). (2010). HELP 3-6 Assessment Strands [Curriculum Based Assessment, 2nd Edition]. Palo Alto, CA: VORT Corporation.

Warshaw, S. (2007). HELP strands 0-3 [Curriculum Based Assessment]. Palo Alto, CA: VORT Corporation.

Weaver, L. (2015). Effectiveness of Work, Activities of Daily Living, Education, and Sleep Interventions for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy , 69(5), 1-11.

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Clever Way to Practice Taking off and Putting on Socks!

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Learning the skill of putting on and taking off socks is a right of passage in early childhood. When you can tell your kiddo to go put on their shoes and socks...and then they can actually do it?...that's a whole new level of independence for them and freedom for you!

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early childhood play development and milestones
https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/pediatric-occupational-therapy/developmental-milestones/play-developmental-milestones/

tips for play https://www.merakilane.com/occupational-therapy-activities-and-tips-for-kids/

sensory activities with a sensory body sock

ttps://www.mymundaneandmiraculouslife.com/sensory-activities-for-a-sensory-body-sock/

tips for teachers
https://community.qvc.com/t5/Among-Friends/Teachers-Toolkit/td-p/3010225/page/6

play therapy techniques
https://www.merakilane.com/?p=27859

How to Promote Imaginative Play

https://www.simplyseptember.com/2018/09/26/promoting-imaginative-play/

pool noodle game
https://theanonymousot.com/2018/07/01/diy-pool-noodle-fishing-game/

toys and games
https://www.merakilane.com/19-therapist-approved-therapy-toys-and-games-for-special-needs-kids/

putty activites
http://childhood101.com/2014/11/21-silly-putty-therapy-putty-activities/

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For many reasons some families aren't able to establish occupational therapy OT at home services with professionals for their kids.

Whether it is because insurance won't pay for it or there aren't any services available within a reasonable driving distance, parents of children with sensory processing disorder are sometimes forced to start OT services in their home with no training.

There are some easy ways you can help establish a regiment of OT at home that will help fill in some of your child's occupational therapy needs.

Erin from Putting Socks on Chickens has a sensory seeker herself.

Today, she is sharing how she personally started her son's sensory diet when she couldn't get OT for him.

This post is part of the Sensory Summer series, hosted by Mommy Evolution in partnership with The Sensory Spectrum.

I encourage you to follow us all summer and visit our Sensory Summer landing page to get the latest sensory fun for your kiddos! This post contains affiliate links.

Occupational Therapy for Sensory Seekers

When my family started on the journey of Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) almost 1 year ago, we couldn't find anyone in the area to provide therapy for our sensory only child.

At the time I had no training in OT, and I still don't. I had no idea what SPD was or exactly how it was affecting my child.

All I knew was that he needed help and that I was going to have to be the one to help him.

After much research and many trials and errors, there are a few things that I have learned over the past year about establishing OT therapies and sensory retreats in our home.

Some of these might not work for all children with SPD, because as we all know, no single child with SPD is exactly the same.

However, I wanted to share what is working for my little seeker and how we are getting occupational therapy for him without actually going to an OT.

My son, although both a sensory seeker and avoider, is more of a seeker when it comes to these activities.

These might not be suitable for avoiders.

Establish a visual schedule

I was so hesitant about this for so long.

I had read about how important it was, but I always thought that my son was doing just fine without a visual schedule.

After a couple weeks of meltdowns because of a change in our regular routine, I decided to give it a try.

Immediately, I saw wonderful results.

He knew what to expect for each day.

He no longer got upset when I told him we had a regular routine activity that day.

We also decided to have his teacher give him a visual schedule of the daily routine at school.

After almost a full year, he finally knew what to expect and do each day because of the schedule.

Sign them up for martial arts

We started Tae Kwon Do right at the same time that we received the SPD diagnosis.

We had heard that martial arts was a great activity for kids with SPD and that it helped them with understanding the body in space and motion.

I will say that after almost a year, my son is doing better at jumping jacks, but Tae Kwon Do offered so much more for us.

We could see a difference in his behavior in the weeks when he wasn't able to go on a regular basis.

I remember struggling to get out the door to get Tae Kwon Do because of meltdown after meltdown and then after 1 hour of running, jumping, kicking and punching, he was a calm and collected kid again.

Take them swimming

Last summer we had swimming lessons.

I wanted to do this because of safety issues, and ironically I learned after the fact that this can be a great exercise for children with SPD.

It provides excellent full body proprioceptive input.

My son loves water, so this was an excellent choice for us.

Whenever we get a chance, we are going to the lake since we don't have a pool.

If you don't have access to a pool or body of water, find a local swimming teacher and sign your child up for swimming lessons.

And don't forget the swim goggles!

Play sports

Sports provide sensory input in various ways for you to consider when signing your child up for sports.

We have always done soccer which provides great vestibular input from all of the running.

My son also plays baseball. I've recently started to learn about joint compressions for SPD kids and this sport is a great way to fill that sensory need for my son.

Also, many sports provide great hand eye coordination development skills.

One thing to keep in mind when signing them up for sports is the time and number of commitments.

We try to keep it to one sport plus martial arts per season and we don't do sports back to back in our house.

To go from soccer straight to baseball without a break was too much for my son, so we do a summer sport and fall sport.

As he gets older and can handle more, we might add more sports.

Encourage Roughhousing

So many times a wrestling match or tackling each other has prevented a major meltdown.

Again, this is a great way to provide your child with proprioceptive input.

Yard Work

I'm not suggesting you have your child start push mowing, although if they are old enough this would be a great exercise.

I have my child help with pulling weeds, planting our garden and taking care of it.

Try out this gardening kit to get them going!

Household chores

Your child can fulfill sensory needs while helping out around the house.

While it is hard to get my kid motivated to actually do anything to help out sometimes, when he does, I know that he is getting proprioceptive input he needs.

Carrying or pushing laundry baskets, sweeping the floor, vacuuming, dusting, picking up toys...whatever chores your child helps with, they can all provide sensory input.

Take them to the park

A park is filled with so many fun things for your child to do that can fill their sensory needs.

From swinging to climbing, it is a fun place for your child and can mean a day of less meltdowns.

Designate a time to fulfill your child's sensory diet

Figure out when would be a good time that works in your schedule and include a time for some fun sensory activities.

Establishing a set time and routine early on will be good for both you and your child.

Develop a sensory retreat for your child

This has been one of the most difficult things for me.

I know the tools that my son needs but actually getting my child to use these tools when he needs to has proven to be a difficult task.

What I have done though is let him help me pick out things that he wants and we keep them in an area where he can have privacy.

We set up a small pop-up tent in his room and filled it with different sensory tools, such as a handheld massager, balloons, a whoopie cushion, sponges for brushing skin, pillows, and weighted blanket.

The important thing is to work with your child to build a place where they will feel comfortable and will want to go when they get overwhelmed by including items that they find comforting.
About Erin
Erin is the mother of 2 of the most adventurous and hard-headed children. She is also a wife, part-time fundraiser for a non-profit and aspiring blogger.

You can join her journey about the joys and mishaps of parenting and working at Putting Socks on Chickens.

SENSORY SUMMER SERIES

This post is part of the Sensory Summer series, hosted by Mommy Evolution in partnership with The Sensory Spectrum.

I encourage you to follow us all summer and visit our Sensory Summer series page to get the latest sensory fun for your kiddos!

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OT at Home for Sensory Seekers | Mommy Evolution

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For many reasons some families aren't able to establish occupational therapy OT at home services with professionals for their kids. Whether it is because insurance won't pay for it or there aren't any services available within a reasonable driving distance, parents of children with sensory processing disorder are sometimes forced to start OT services in their home with no training.

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Cognition milestones chart
1. http://www.rsd.k12.pa.us/Downloads/Development_Chart_for_Booklet.pdf
2. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/checklists/all_checklists.pdf

Osmo Genius Kit: https://www.amazon.com/Osmo-Genius-Kit/dp/B071FN6KXK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=clwiachofwi09-20&linkId=facd573108c3158ca1edf670793ba092

Executive Function:
https://pathways.org/topics-of-development/executive-function/

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Parents' Guide to Developing Your Child's Life Skills

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early fine motor development milestones - https://www.choc.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Rehab-Developmental-Milestones-final.pdf

eat the cheese game
https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2019/05/02/fine-motor-skills-game/

preferred fine motor toys
http://www.preferredtherapytoys.com/toys-we-love-by-skillset/fine-motor-skills/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=pinterest&utm_campaign=ToyListFineMotor&utm_content=FavoriteFineMotorToys4pics

fine motor skills & the organization of the back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyc4huYLvVg

activities using tongs
http://www.theottoolbox.com/2018/05/occupational-therapy-activities-using.html

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Get Ready To Learn (GRTL) is a researched daily preparatory classroom yoga curriculum designed to optimize classroom performance for both students and staff.
http://getreadytolearn.net/GRTL/Home.html

Developmental milestones chart: https://www.unitypoint.org/cedarrapids/filesimages/Services/Physical%20Medicine/Witwer%20OT%20Developmental%20Milestones.pdf

Gross motor milestones 2 - https://www.chrichmond.org/therapy-services/occupational-therapy/developmental-milestones/gross-motor-skills-birth-to-5-years

Gross motor Activites (Yay Pinterest!) https://www.pinterest.com/stirthewonder/gross-motor-activities/

GM activities that feel like play
https://www.merakilane.com/gross-motor-activities-for-kids/

yoga for kids
http://www.pinkoatmeal.com/animal-moves/

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If you're looking for balance activities for kids that help develop fine and gross motor skills while also improving a child's bilateral and hand-eye coordination, this post has 13 ideas that will inspire you. Whether you're simply looking for motor-based activities to keep your little one entertained when you're cooped up at home, or need ideas to develop specific developmental skills, these balance activities for kids are both fun and effective!

What Are Balance and Coordination?

Balance refers to our ability to remain in control of the position of our body and our posture while performing certain tasks. There are actually 2 different types of balance - dynamic balance and static balance. Our dynamic balance allows us to remain in position during activities that require movement, like walking and running, whereas our static balance allows us to remain in position during stationary tasks like sitting and standing.

Our coordination allows us to remain stable while performing everyday tasks. Bilateral coordination refers to our ability to use both sides of our body together at the same time, and is required to do things like walk, climb stairs, and crawl through a tunnel. Hand-eye coordination is the process by which our visual system coordinates the information received through our eyes and sends messages to our hands to fulfill tasks like reading, writing, typing, grasping objects, and playing sports.

While both of these skills are obviously important in enabling us to carry out both basic and more complex tasks and activities, they aren't a given. What I mean by that is, they are skills that need to be learned, and some children (and adults) struggle with one or many of their motor skills, which negatively impacts their day-to-day functioning.

13 Balance Activities for Kids

If you suspect your child is struggling with his or her balance and coordination - or you just need some fun activities to do at home to help your little one blow off steam - there are HEAPS of fun exercises and activities you can engage your little one in. These ideas feel more like play than practice, providing the perfect opportunity for your child to develop important life skills without even knowing it. You'll notice that each of these activities is focused on developing a child's gross motor skills, but if you're specifically looking for hand-eye coordination activities, THIS POST will be an excellent resource for you!

Balance board. You can easily make a balance board on your own with a plank of wood and a piece of pipe, but if you're like me and prefer to steer clear of DIY projects, this Alex Toys Balance Board is a great option. It's one of my favorite balance activities for kids, and has the added benefit of helping kids shed excess energy and return to a place of calm. It's also compact and portable, and once your child masters how to balance on the board, you can find other ways to incorporate this into his or her play to help further improve his or her skills. For example, you may have your child balance on the board while playing a game of catch.

Spin disk. Does your child like to spin? If so, this spin disc is sure to be a hit! I get dizzy just looking at it, but I've heard many parents recommend spin discs as a form of vestibular input for little ones. It's also a fun tool to use with kids who tend to avoid sensory input as it helps them become more comfortable with the feeling of movement beyond their own control.

Egg races. Whether you use a wooden spoon on a small ball you have lying around the house, or purchase a fancier egg race set for kids on Amazon, you can make this as simple or hard as you want to, making this another one of my favorite balance activities for kids. Start with a basic race across the room, and then make the game more difficult by putting objects on the floor (pillows, blankets, etc.) so your child has to navigate across uneven terrain. You can also have your child switch between her right and left hands to add an even bigger twist!

Fun with masking tape. If you're looking for super portable balance activities for kids to provide your little one with vestibular input while on the go, you will be amazed at what you can do with a little masking tape and imagination. From tightrope walking to creating complex obstacle courses, the possibilities are endless!

Hopscotch. There are so many ways you can switch up a good old game of hopscotch and turn it into a super fun balance activity. Have your child only jump on odd or even numbers, ask him or her to switch from jumping with 2 legs to one leg, instruct him or her to jump backwards and then forwards at different intervals, and yell out random numbers to keep your little one guessing and engaged.

Stair scavenger hunt. Using 2 puzzle sets (for example, you can use this wooden number set by Hape as well as this wooden number puzzle by Lanka Kade), create a scavenger hunt on your staircase (in this example, your child would be matching numbers). Have your child choose 1 puzzle piece from a bucket and then walk up the stairs to find the matching piece. Ensure your little one doesn't use the hand rails while walking up and down the stairs, and that he or she crouches down into a squat position when picking up each puzzle piece. As an added twist, have him or her assemble both puzzles on the floor while standing on a stepping stool to create a challenging but fun balance activity for kids!

Leg lifts. Leg lifts are a great balance activity for restless kids! Have your child stand sideways behind a chair and, using the chair for support, have him/her lift his/her leg up with their knee at a 90-degree angle. Try varying the length of time it takes your child to raise and lower his/her legs (5 counts up, 5 counts down), and then see if he/she can balance for a count of 10 without holding onto the chair. As your child gets the hang of this, you can continue to make it more challenging.

Sitting on an exercise ball. There are tons of fun exercise ball activities you can do with your child, but if you're specifically looking for balance activities for kids, consider having your little one sit on an exercise ball while doing everyday activities like eating dinner, watching TV, and doing homework. It's a great core-strengthening activity and will definitely help develop his or her balance and coordination!

Stepping stones. I recently found this 11-piece stepping stone set for kids on Amazon, and it's one of my new favorite balance activities for kids. Set them up in a row, or mix them up, and allow your child to jump, stretch, climb, and balance on them to help improve their coordination!

Walking over pillows. If you like the idea behind the stepping stone activity above, but don't want to invest the money in an actual set, you can do something similar with pillows. Scatter them on the floor with some stacked one on top of the other to vary the height of each pile, and have your child stretch and climb from one to the other. I just wouldn't suggest having your little one jump from pillow to pillow as they won't be quite as sturdy!

Standing on a buso ball. You've probably seen bosu balls at your gym and know they offer a great way to build your strength and balance, but I bet you've never thought of using one at home with your child to help develop his or her balance and coordination! You can simply have your child practice sitting or standing on the bosu ball when it's either dome face up or dome face down, or you can give some of these bosu ball activities for kids a try!

Balance bike. If your little one hasn't learned how to ride a bike yet, a balance bike is another one of my favorite balance activities for kids. Since these bikes don't have pedals, a child must use his or her feet to stop, steer, and turn, allowing them greater control. Balance bikes are designed to improve a child's balance and coordination, allowing them to skip the training wheels, and are a great option for kids who are struggling to learn how to ride a bike.

Obstacle courses. My last suggestion for those who are looking for balance activities for kids is to combine several different ideas into an obstacle course. This will help keep things fun and engaging for your child while also allowing him or her to work on many different skills as the same time. Obstacle courses are so easy to setup, and even if you don't have a large basement or backyard to work with, you can always split activities between different rooms and/or levels of your house. The more movement, the better, right?!

I hope this collection of balance activities for kids inspires you to find ways to engage with your child and help develop his or her skills. Remember to keep things fresh and interesting so your little one doesn't lose interest, and to always keep things FUN!
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Gross Motor Skills: 13 Core Strengthening Balance Activities for Kids

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If you're looking for balance activities for kids that help develop fine and gross motor skills while also improving a child's bilateral and hand-eye coordination, this post has 13 ideas that will inspire you.