Beat a Leaf
Materials
Plywood or particle
board, white cotton fabric, push pins, small hammer, fresh leaves
Procedure
1. Place the leaf
on the board and lay the fabric over the top. Secure the fabric with push pins.
2. Use the hammer
to pound on the leaf until the color and shape is visible on the sheet.
3. Set aside until
it has dried.
Activity
Analysis
Impulse control to
stop pounding when the leaf impression is visible.
Coordination to pound the hammer just on the
sheet.
Muscle strength to
lift the hammer.
Grasp pattern to
hold the hammer securely.
Proprioceptive
processing in banging the hammer.
Auditory processing
with the noise level of the hammer hitting the board.
Coffee
Ground Fossils
Materials
One cup used coffee
grounds, ½ cup cold coffee, 1 cup flour, ½ cup salt, waxed paper, mixing bowl,
tin can, natural objects
Procedure
1. Stir the coffee
grounds, coffee, flour and salt until well mixed.
2. Knead the dough
and flatten onto waxed paper.
3. Use the can to
cut out circles.
4. Press objects
firmly into the dough and then lift off.
5. Let the fossil
dry at least overnight.
Activity
Analysis
Delay of
gratification waiting for the fossils to set.
Frustration
tolerance if the fossil does not look how they want it.
Muscle strength to
flatten the dough and press out circles.
Bilateral
integration to press down with both hands in the dough and on the tin can.
Smell processing
with the aroma of the coffee.
Tactile processing
for the wet texture of the dough.
Problem solving to
determine how to place the object into the dough.
Cookie Cutter Bird Feeders
Materials
¾ cup birdseed, ¼
cup water, 1 small envelope plain gelatin, twine or string, cookie cutter or Mason
jar lids, waxed paper, stove top, wooden spoon
Procedure
1. Mix gelatin with
water and bring to a simmer on the stovetop. Stir until dissolved. Remove from
heat and let cool.
2. Stir in
birdseed. Add a little extra if there is more liquid.
3. Cut a length of
yarn, form a loop and tie a knot.
4. Lay the cookie
cutters on waxed paper. Fill halfway with bird seed.
5. Insert the
string and fill the rest of the mold.
6. Allow them to
dry overnight, remove from cookie cutters and hang in a tree or window.
Activity
Analysis
Calculation to
measure the right amount of ingredients.
Self control in
waiting for the gelatin to dissolve before taking it off of the heat.
Joint stability to
be able to stir an increasingly resistant mixture.
Sequencing in
remembering to put in the string before filling the entire mold.
Tactile processing
touching the sticky and moist mixture.
Self confidence
when successfully making the bird feeder.
Delay of gratification
waiting for the feeder to set.
Draw a Forest
Materials
Graph paper, pen or
pencil, nature books
Procedure
1. Decide what
needs to be in a forest (animals, plants, terrain, waterways), write out a list
of what to include.
2. Use the graph
paper to draw out what would go in each area of the forest.
Activity
Analysis
Decision making in
what will be included in the forest.
Grasp pattern while
using the pen to draw out the forest.
Bilateral
integration using one hand to steady the paper while the other is drawing.
Self confidence in
knowing what they want to include and exclude.
Problem solving
where each item will fit.
Flower Arranging
Materials
Florists’ foam,
flower stems (silk can be used, but real flowers are more natural), branches,
leaves
Procedure
Use a piece of foam
and insert various stems, branches, and leaves to create a pleasing
arrangement.
Activity
Analysis
Creativity to
decide what to include in the arrangement.
Self expression in
deciding where to place each item in the arrangement.
Frustration
tolerance if a stem does not go where the client wants it or if it breaks.
Bilateral
integration holding the foam while inserting the stems.
Muscle strength to
get the stems into the foam.
Initiation of
activity deciding where to put the first stems.
Calculation of how
many items will be needed.
Tactile processing
of the various stems and foam.
Pressure
discrimination to determine how hard to press to get the stem into the foam.
Flower Pressing
Materials
Fresh flowers, plastic
bags, corrugated cardboard, rubber bands (or a heavy book), tape (optional)
Procedure
1. Place the flower
into the plastic bag.
2. Arrange the bags
on one piece of cardboard; the bags may be taped down to prevent slipping.
3. Place another
piece of cardboard on top. Repeat until all flowers are covered.
4. Rubber band the
pieces together (or just place the bags under a heavy book or two).
5. Wait a few days
until the flowers have had time to dry.
6. Remove from
plastic bags and use the pressed flowers to make photo frames or greeting
cards.
Activity
Analysis
Delay of
gratification waiting for the flowers to be ready.
Coordination and
bilateral integration putting the rubber bands around the cardboard.
Muscle strength to
stretch the rubber bands enough.
Problem solving if
the rubber bands are not large enough to fit around the cardboard.
Sequencing to
effectively make the press.
Homemade Chia Pets
Materials
Pantyhose,
scissors, grass seed, potting soil, craft glue, items to decorate the “pet” (googly
eyes, buttons, felt, craft foam, yarn), plastic cup
Procedure
1. Cut one leg of
pantyhose, about 1 foot from toe.
2. Place grass seed
into the toe area. (This will end up being the “hair”.)
3. Place soil into
pantyhose, making it as large as desired. (Large enough to sit comfortably on
top of the cup.)
4. Insert a piece
of string, leaving the end hanging out (this will dangle into the open end of
the cup to make watering easier).
5. Tie the open end
into a knot, or use another piece of string to tie it closed. Flip over so the
grass seed portion is pointed up.
6. Decorate the
face of the chia pet.
7. Fill a cup with
water. Dangle the chia pet’s string in and set it on the top.
8. Set in a window
and wait for the hair to start growing!
Activity
Analysis
Creativity in
deciding what the pet will look like.
Delay of
gratification waiting for the hair to grow.
Bilateral
integration while holding the pantyhose and inserting the seeds and dirt.
Fine motor
movements placing the notions to make the pet’s face.
Tactile processing
touching the glue, seed, and dirt.
Homemade Kite
Materials
Bamboo skewers or
small diameter dowels, diamond shaped pattern, typing or construction paper,
yarn, markers, scissors, tape.
Procedure
1. Trace the
diamond pattern onto a sheet of paper. Cut out.
2. Decorate the
paper in whatever design desired.
3. Tape two skewers
to the paper in a cross shape, with the ends of the skewers at the corners of
the paper.
4. At the
intersection of the two skewers, tie a length of yarn.
5. Go outside and
try to fly the kite!
Activity
Analysis
Creativity deciding
what design to use on the paper.
Frustration
tolerance in trying to accurately trace the pattern and cut it out.
Fine motor
movements while cutting and coloring.
Bilateral
integration holding the paper while cutting.
Problem solving as
to what length of yarn will be adequate for flying the kite.
Leaf
Garland
Materials
Large plastic
needle, string or yarn, lots of leaves
Procedure
1. Thread the
needle on one end of a length of string.
2. Tie a knot on
the other end of the string.
3. Stick the needle
through one leaf. Tie a knot between the leaf and the needle. Repeat as many
times as desired.
4. Remove the
needle and hang up the leaf garland.
Activity
Analysis
Hand eye
coordination to get the needle into the leaf.
Bilateral
integration to tie a knot in the string.
Frustration
tolerance if the leaf falls apart.
Self confidence as
the garland gets longer.
Decision making of
how long to make the garland.
Finger dexterity to
get the needle through the leaf.
Leaf Rubbings
Materials
Typing paper,
crayons, various leaves, tape (optional)
Procedure
1. Set the leaf on
a firm surface. (Can be taped down to make more stable.)
2. Place the typing
paper over the leaf.
3. Gently press
with the crayon tip (or use the crayon lengthwise) and color on the paper to
get the details of the leaf onto the paper.
Activity
Analysis
Grasp pattern while
using the crayon.
Bilateral
integration holding the paper while coloring.
Termination of the
activity when the entire leaf is outlined.
Decision making in
what color crayon and shape leaf should be used.
Pressure
discrimination to not press too hard with the crayon.
Matching Sounds
Materials
Plastic eggs,
various natural objects (pebbles, sand, dirt, shells, feathers, leaves)
Procedure
1. Fill two eggs
with the same item. Use different colors to increase the challenge.
2. Shake the eggs
one at a time until two are found that sound the same.
3. Open and see if
the guess was accurate.
Activity
Analysis
Auditory processing
for which eggs have a matching sound.
Proprioception to
hold the egg firmly enough to shake it without it falling from the hand.
Decision making in
choosing which eggs to fill and shake.
Memory of what each
egg sounds like to be able to match them.
Frustration
tolerance when the egg selected as matching is incorrect.
Natural Impressions
Materials
Molding clay,
natural objects (leaves, pebbles, acorns, shells, feathers, pinecones, flowers,
etc.)
Procedure
1. Roll the clay
into balls a little smaller than a golf ball.
2. Squish flat.
3. Press objects
into the discs.
4. Make it into a
pendent by using a straw to poke a hole into the top
5. Leave them to
dry for a few days.
6. Paint if desired
or leave plain.
Activity
Analysis
In hand
manipulation to roll balls of clay.
Muscle strength to
flatten it out on a hard surface.
Decision making to
determine what to press into the clay.
Delay of
gratification waiting for the clay to harden.
Tactile processing
in touching the sticky clay.
Frustration
tolerance if an impression doesn’t turn out properly.
Naturally Dyed Weaving
(Borrowed from www.gryphonhouse.com/
activities/activityDetail.asp?ID=48&CatID=8)
Materials
White woven cotton
cloth (cut into 1-2 inch wide strips), shallow cardboard box, string, water,
large pot, stove, substances to make dye (marigold flowers, green sage, walnut
hulls, tea, spinach, yellow onion skin, red onion skin, berries, coffee,
dandelion roots), strainer, scissors
Procedure
1. Make
evenly-spaced snips into either end of the box and lace the string back and
forth, using the cuts to hold the string in place.
2. Place the water
and large pot on the stove with whatever amount of dying substance you desire
(the more added, the darker the dye). Let simmer until darker than you want the
cloth to be.
3. Strain the dye.
Place the cloth strips into the dye and let it simmer until it is darker than
you would like it to end up.
4. Remove the
strips and rinse them in cold water. Hang to dry.
5. Lace the strips
through the string frame on the cardboard box. The tighter, the better.
6. Remove from the
box and hang to admire!
Activity
Analysis
Self control to not
put hands directly into the hot pot.
Finger dexterity
while weaving the strips.
Bilateral
integration to hold the frame while weaving with the other hand.
Natural
Picture Frame
Materials
Plain cardboard or
wood picture frame, craft glue, natural items (feathers, small stones, shells,
sand, flower petals, leaves, etc.)
Procedure
1. Place glue on
frame.
2. Stick on natural
items.
Activity
Analysis
Assertiveness
through selection of what materials to use and where to place them.
Hand strength while
squeezing the glue onto the frame.
Bilateral
integration when holding the glue and placing items on the frame.
Eye hand
coordination through placing the items onto the dab of glue.
Problem solving
when trying to figure out how to make items fit on the frame.
Tactile processing
when having to deal with sticky glue on the fingers.
Painted
Plant Pots
Materials
Terra cotta pots, pencil
paint brushes, acrylic paint, seeds, soil, water
Procedure
1. Can use a pencil
to draw a design before using paint.
2. Use the
paintbrush and paint to create a design on the pot.
3. Place soil in
the pot.
4. Put a seed in
the soil.
5. Water it!
Activity
Analysis
Delay of
gratification while waiting for the pot to dry and the plant to sprout.
Frustration
tolerance when trying to hold the cylindrical pot and paint at the same time.
Bilateral
integration when holding the pot and painting at the same time.
Grasp pattern to
hold the paintbrush.
Creativity when
deciding what to paint on the pot.
Tactile processing
when paint gets on the fingers and placing the soil and seed into the pot.
Painting with Natural Objects
Materials
Heavy duty paper,
tempera/finger paint, objects to use for painting (pinecones, acorns, leaves,
sticks, flowers, etc.)
Procedure
1. Lay out the
paper and paints.
2. Choose an object
with which to paint.
3. Dip the object
into the paint.
4. Paint!
Activity
Analysis:
Self expression in
painting something they would like.
Decision making of
which object to use to paint and which colors to use.
Creativity of what
to make the painting look like.
Grasp pattern of
the natural objects while painting.
Reaching for the
paper with the object.
Tactile processing
when the paint gets on the skin.
Visual perception
to stay on the paper while painting.
Paper Making
Materials
2 cups water, pot
to boil water in, blender, tray, cotton fabric, small frames or embroidery
hoops, sponge, ladle, iron, rolling pin, materials to blend (flower petals,
facial tissue, tissue paper, leaves, etc.)
Procedure
1. Boil water and
add it to pieces of blendable materials into the blender. Let soak 10 minutes.
2. Blend about 5
seconds, until a creamy pulp.
3. Lay cotton
fabric flat on tray and place the small frame on top.
4. Pour or ladle
pulp into frames, shaking tray to spread fibers. Place another piece of fabric
on top and use the sponge to soak up excess water, pressing gently onto the
pulp.
5. Remove top
fabric and frame. Place a dry piece on top. Use rolling pin to flatten fibers
and make them more cohesive.
6. Either let it
air dry or use the iron (on medium heat) on top of the fabric until the paper is
dry to touch.
Activity
Analysis
Attention to task
to remove all of the excess water.
Delay of
gratification in not seeing the paper until later.
Grasp patterns
while holding the sponge.
Crossing midline to
soak the water from both halves of the tray.
Following
directions so that the paper turns out well.
Tactile processing
in touching the pulp and wet sponge.
Visual processing
in noticing the still wet areas of the tray.
Patterns with Natural Objects
Materials
Various natural
objects: acorns, leaves, pinecones, flowers, rocks
Procedure
1. Use the objects
to lay out a pattern (leaf, acorn, leaf, acorn, etc.; red flower, blue flower,
red flower, blue flower, etc.).
2. Have the client
duplicate and extend the pattern.
Activity
Analysis
Categorization of the
objects in the pattern.
Self esteem when
successful in identifying the pattern.
Grasping patterns
when picking up the objects.
Reach to place the
object in the pattern order.
Tactile processing
of various objects.
Pebble Mosaic
Materials
Craft glue,
markers, pebbles, cardboard
Procedure
1. Use markers to
draw a design on the cardboard.
2. Place glue on
the cardboard wherever the pebbles are to go.
3. Place the
pebbles onto the cardboard
Activity
Analysis
Creativity in
choosing a design and where to place pebbles
Sequencing when
drawing the image before using the glue and gluing before placing the pebbles.
Frustration
tolerance when pebbles do not go where the child would like.
Sense of personal
control while choosing a design and which pebbles to place where.
Hand strength when
squeezing the glue onto the cardboard.
Fine motor
movements when picking up the pebbles with the fingers.
Tactile processing
when having to deal with sticky glue on the fingers.
Pinecone Bird Feeder
Materials
Waxed paper,
pinecones, nut butter, bird seed, butter knife, scissors, yarn or ribbon
Procedure
1. Place one
pinecone on a piece of waxed paper.
2. Place a length
of yarn around one end of the pinecone, form a loop, and securely tying into
place.
3. Using the butter
knife, spread the nut butter onto the pinecone, being sure to get down in the
grooves.
4. Put a small
amount of bird seed onto the waxed paper and roll the pinecone into it, using
fingers to press the seed more securely in.
5. Hang the new
bird feeder out on a tree.
Activity
Analysis
Frustration
tolerance trying to get the nut butter and bird seed onto the entire surface of
the pinecone.
Bilateral
integration holding the pinecone and spreading the nut butter and seed.
Grasp pattern
holding the butter knife.
Calculation of how
much bird seed might be necessary.
Tactile processing
with the sticky nut butter and pointed pinecone.
Gustatory
processing with the smell of the nut butter and bird seed.
Pumpkin Carving
Materials
Pumpkin, sharp
knife (young children will need assistance, of course!), spoon, permanent
marker
Procedure
1. Use permanent
marker to draw a ring around the top of the pumpkin.
2. Use the knife to
follow the ring and remove the top.
3. Use the spoon to
scoop out the insides.
4. Make a
jack-o-lantern by drawing a face design with permanent marker and then using
the knife to cut out the drawn shapes.
Activity
Analysis
Impulse control to
only cut along the drawn lines on the pumpkin.
Attention to task
to remove all of the pumpkin insides.
Grasp pattern to
hold the knife for cutting.
Muscle strength to
scoop out the insides.
Bilateral
integration to hold the pumpkin in place while cutting and scooping out the
insides.
Problem solving if
the cut out pieces do not immediately come loose.
Creativity in
deciding which sort of face the pumpkin will have.
Tactile processing
touching the rough outside of the pumpkin and the slimy insides.
Gustatory
processing for the scent of the pumpkin insides.
Rock Painting
Materials
Rocks large enough
to paint, acrylic paint, paintbrushes
Procedure
Use paint and
paintbrushes to draw a design on the rock.
Activity
Analysis
Frustration
tolerance when trying to paint the various facets of the rock.
Delay of
gratification waiting for the rock to dry to be able to hold it.
Bilateral
integration when holding the rock in place and painting it at the same time.
Fine motor
movements using the paintbrush to paint.
In-hand
manipulation if holding the rock while painting it, to get all the facets
painted.
Termination of
activity to know when there is enough paint on the rock.
Tactile processing
when paint gets on the fingers.
Storytelling about Nature Experiences
Materials
Computer or paper
and pen or pencil
Procedure
1. Decide which
story about a time in nature to tell, or make one up!
2. Type or write
the story. (It can also be done orally.)
3. Tell/read the
story to someone else.
Activity
Analysis
Creativity in
crafting a story to tell.
Assertiveness in
sharing the story with someone else.
Grasp pattern when
handwriting the story.
Muscle endurance to
write out the whole story.
Fine motor
movements when writing or typing the story.
Termination of
activity when the story is long enough.
Memory in
remembering a time spent outdoors.
Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder
Materials
Nut butter, bird
seed, toilet paper tubes, butter knife, ribbon or yarn, plate
Procedure
1. Spread the nut
butter on the tube.
2. Place some bird
seed on the plate.
3. Roll the tube in
the seed.
4. Lace the string
through the hole in the tube and hang up outdoors.
Activity
Analysis
Frustration
tolerance trying to get the nut butter and bird seed onto the entire surface of
the tube.
Bilateral
integration holding the tube and spreading the nut butter and seed.
Grasp pattern
holding the butter knife.
Calculation of how
much bird seed might be necessary.
Tactile processing
with the sticky nut butter.
Gustatory
processing with the smell of the nut butter and bird seed.
Proprioception for
the amount of force to use when spreading butter and rolling seeds to not crush
the tube.
