July is over and back to school is looming, with echoing of the Jaws theme playing in the background for many kids… There’s still plenty of time; however, for some last minute summer fun that could continue right into the fall!
When children have challenges developing self-directed play activities or lack social skills to take part with peers easily, the summer gets a little, well… long. Although some of these recommendations are designed particularly for children with social deficits, the majority can benefit all children make the most breaks in the school year.
Here is a list of some free activities that could be used to address necessary targets, meet individualized interests, and are, most importantly, FREE.
Target Areas of Need
Breaks in the school year a great time to catch up on school challenges or social skills needs, as well as to identify interests for future targets.
Do2Learn
http://www.do2learn.com/index.
A great website with free games and activities, as well as their educational content. Check out the emotion matching game where a face is placed along a continuum of emotion (i.e., annoyed to angry).
JobTips
http://www.do2learn.com/
Free vocational interest assessments and related content including information on future careers and jobs related to social needs.
Starfall
http://www.starfall.com
Reading and phonemic awareness skills, like rhyming.
Learn to Type
http://www.sense-lang.org/
Typing program. Great for students who can type due to handwriting issues, but need to work on accuracy or speed.
Paper-Based Activities
Print a few copies and let your kiddo get busy!
News-2-You Summer Unit
http://www.n2y.com
One of my all time favorite resources has developed a summer unit on the London 2012 Summer Olympics and is offering it for free through Labor Day! New-2-You uses images to clarify content and provides more age-typical reading materials.
Printable Mazes
http://www.printactivities.
Krazydad Printable Mazes (by level)
http://krazydad.com/mazes/
Discovery Education’s Puzzlemaker
http://puzzlemaker.
Create a puzzle based on a specific area of interest.
National Geographic Coloring Book
http://www2.crayola.com/
Detailed coloring pages, based on National Geographic topics.
Books & Music
What better way to spend the last of summer than by expanding a reading library or musical interests? Teachers, do you hear that? It’s a free ‘Listening Center’ or ‘Classroom Library’!
AudioStream Children’s Records
http://www.kiddierecords.com/
Free, classic recordings of children’s records.
StoryNory
http://storynory.com/
Free audio story each week.
International Children’s Digital Library
http://en.childrenslibrary.
Variety of international books, generally published in English, that can be read online.
We Give Books
http://www.wegivebooks.org/
Free reading program for children ages 5 to 8 through the summer. A printable log of all books read is available for free as well.
MeeGenius! Free e-books for kids
http://meegenius.com/store/
Free books available in iPad, Android, and GoogleTV formats.
Computer Programming
For the future developer who just can’t be pulled away from the screen!
Snake Wrangling for Kids
http://www.briggs.net.nz/
A printable, electronic book for kids ages 8 and up on using Python 3 programming language. (Available in Mac, Windows, and Linux formats).
Scratch Computer Coding Tool
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/
A free programming tool developed for children that can be used to create books, videos, and computer programs.
Internet-Based Activities
Online activities that can be done (mostly) independently.
Crayola Digi-Color
http://www2.crayola.com/
Online coloring book! No printing required.
PBS Kids Video
http://pbskids.org/video/
Video clips of favorite PBS Kids shows, including Curious George.
Baby Smash: Computer Use (Cause & Effect)
http://www.hanselman.com/
A great, free, cause and effect computer activity that can be used for individuals interested in visual input or stimulation, as well as for young children.
WatchKnowLearn: Free Video
http://watchknowlearn.org/
Free educational videos on specific topics like hurricanes, the water cycle, and The Black Death.
Download ZAC Browser
http://zacbrowser.com/
A web browser developed for individuals on the autism spectrum that provides access to games, activities, and videos.
Real-World Options
Fun crafts & science-based activities.
Make Oobleck/Flubber/Gak
http://www.kidactivities.net/
The best, grossest substances ever! (Parents should supervise the creation of these).
Grow Your Own Chiapet
http://makeitfromscratch.
Make unusual Chiapet-type creatures based on an area of interest.
Play with Science (also has multiple webcam feeds including infrared, bridge, and rats from the life science lab!)
http://www.omsi.edu/for-kids
Online activities on topics from digestion to money, including activities and video clips.
Go Somewhere
Get out and get busy!
Home Depot Kid’s Workshop
http://www.homedepot.com/
Sign up to make a project at the Kid’s Workshop.
Find a Local Lego Building League
http://www.firstlegoleague.
A great opportunity to meet others with similar interests and practice social skills as well!
Or Go Somewhere… virtually!
Difficult to arrange outings because of a child’s needs (i.e., heat sensitivity, behaviors) or a family’s schedule? No longer permitted to have field trips because of budget cuts? Load a webcam or virtual tour on a classroom projector or computer and begin to explore the world, no matter the distance!
Hawaii http://satftp.soest.hawaii.
NASA http://virtualfieldtrip.jpl.
Elephant Sanctuary http://www.elephants.com/
National Zoo http://nationalzoo.si.edu/
Georgia Aquarium http://www.georgiaaquarium.
Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium http://www.pittsburghzoo.org/
National Aviary Webcams (Falcons & Penguins) www.aviary.org/penguincam/
Butterfly Farm Virtual Tour http://www.butterflyfarm.co.
Enjoy the last of the summer, and continue using most of these tools right into the fall!
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