Fun Ideas for Kids
Preemie parents spend a lot of time monitoring the health and medical condition or our preemies, but it's important to have fun too. Children learn and grow through games and exploration. Try a few of our ideas and enjoy how delightful your preemie is while helping them navigate their world. Email us more fun ideas for kids at info@preemiestoday.org.
| Fun And Games | Local Kid's Activities | Recipes |
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Fun and Games: All children need fun and games, but preemies need fun and games that help them developmentally too. We’ve listed some that have worked for us. Your doctor or therapist is a great source for fun and game ideas. Preemies Today members have used therapy sessions to come up with some great activity ideas!
- For young babies
Change the texture of the cloth you put on your shoulder or that you rest the baby one (smooth, soft, or silky)- Have sheets and toys with lots of visual contrast (black and white)
- Shake a rattle from different positions around the baby
- Put a ribbon, colorful band, or bright socks on your baby’s hands or feet
- Imitate your baby’s babbling sounds
- Hold your baby in front of a mirror so they can see you and themselves
- For older babies
Let the baby play with small plastic cups and toys in a pan or water in the high chair or outside- Play peek a boo
- Let the baby knock down towers you make with blocks or other objects
- Hide a squeaky toy while the baby is watching and ask them to find it
- Lie on the ground and let your baby exercise as they climb over you.
- Tie a ribbon on to one of the baby’s toys and let them pull it around
- Use an empty cereal box or a pot as a drum, or a box to put things in, or something to imagine with…
- Help your baby sit on a small rocking horse to feel the motions and get a sense of balance
- Have a basket or special drawer that the baby is allowed to pull things out of and put things back into
- Bounce your child on a large therapy ball while holding them securely
- For the toddler and preschooler
Make a family album using a small plastic album or laminated pictures so your child can get to know the whole family- When you hear a sound in the environment, ask your child “what is it?”
- Let your child toddler turn the light switch on and off to see what happens
- Play chase or hide and seek with your child and tell them where you are going: under the table, behind the door, over the toy, etc.
- Make an obstacle course using household objects, then let your child walk in between the items, over them, and around them
- Sort things by color, by texture, by size, by color.
- Give the child a bag or purse to fill up with their favorite things
- Make pretend mail by letting your child scribble on paper, then let them deliver it like the postman to you and your family
- Use pillows to make a silly playground; your child can jump from pillow to pillow, make a fort, or bury you in pillows
- Use finger paints on an easel outside or use water to paint art books that turn colors with water
- Have your child run through sprinklers or try putting their hands or feet in water from a hose
- Make a “train” out of chairs place in a row, then have stuffed animals or people be the train riders
Use a cardboard box attached to a string to make a train or wagon for your child’s stuffed animals- Find ways for your child to say “no!” by asking silly questions where the right answer is no
- Let your child direct you where to go around the house as they follow (up the stairs, change rooms, etc.) so they can feel in control
- Save hats, scarves, and other dress up items for a dress up box
- Have your child pretend to do chores mommy and daddy do using dolls or child size items (brooms, keys, dishes)
- Blow bubbles with your toddler and let them try to blow them, break them, and catch them
- Pour dry beans in a bowl and let them sift their hands through the beans and try to scoop them with a hand or cup
- Play in the grass, in the sand, in the mud, so they can feel different textures
- Walk on curbs and railroad ties to practice balance beam walking while you hold your toddler’s hand
- Roll balls across the floor to each other or use large therapy balls to bounce your child on
- Sing fingerplay songs that have your child use their bodies, hands, and fingers to act out the song lyrics
Local Kid’s Activities: Kids benefit from getting out and participating in new activities. We’ve listed some activities in the Metropolitan Washington DC area that you and your preemie way want to try out.
Loving Hands
Infant massage classes can help improve the bond between mother and baby, help colic, gas and constipation. Classes are offered through The Maternity Center in Bethesda, Maryland. For more details please contact Gigi Schmid, at (301)613-7378 or lovinghands99@cox.net.
The Body in Balance Center
Specializes in infant Massage, yoga for adults and kids, immune support for children, and holistic nutrition. Classes are offered in Washington DC, Alexandria, Arlington, Annandale, Potomac, Silver Spring, and Rockville
300 S. Washington St., Alexandria, VA, 703-518-4434 www.bodyinbalancecenter.com., info@bodyinbalancecenter.com
Infant Massage Workshop at Circle Yoga: Offered on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. For babies one to six months. Learn how to soothe and stimulate your infant.
Mindful Yoga Studio 5615 39th Street, NW Washington DC 20015, (202)686-1104, www.circleyoga.com
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Art Start
Classes are given by a certified art therapist for children 18 months to 4 years old. All classes are inclusive and provide children the opportunity to explore their own creativity. Parent workshops and birthday parties are also available.
www.artstart4tots.com, JALiddle@cox.net, (703)264-0407.
Imagination Stage's AccessAbility Program
Classes, which take a multi-sensory approach, are offered for children starting at ages 1-5. This program emphasizes language, cognitive, and motor development. The Early Childhood Director is a licensed occupational therapist and has a strong background in music and theater
4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda, MD, 301-961-6060, www.imaginationstage.org
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Local Recreation Centers. Many local recreation centers offer classes in aquatics, gymnastics, art, sign language, yoga, and more.
Fairfax County Parks and Recreation
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927 , Fairfax, VA , 703-324-8702
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parks.htm
Montgomery County Parks and Recreation
9500 Brunett Ave. , Silver Spring, Maryland 20901
Falls Church City Parks and Recreation
223 Little Falls Street, Falls Church, VA 22046, recreation@fallschurchva.gov, (703)248-5077, http://www.ci.falls-church.va.us/community/recsandparks/
Arlington City Parks and Recreation
300 N Park Drive , Arlington, VA 22203 , registration@arlingtonva.us, 702-228-4747,
http://www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation
Prince William County Parks and Recreation
Prince William County Government, 1 County Complex Court, Prince William, VA 22192, http://www.pwcparks.org/contact.html
Funfit Kids Like Me @ Funfit Family Fitness Center
Fitness classes for infants through 12 years old in a non-competitive atmosphere. Special needs children are encouraged to join. Classes are held at the McLean Community Center in Virginia and various locations in Maryland.
17511 Redland Rd. , Rockville, MD , (301)975-0099, 888-8-FUNFIT, www.funfit.us.
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Karon’s Gymnastics
Gymnastics help build strength and coordination for children of all ages. Classes are offered for children from ages 1-18.
8442 Kao Circle Manassas, VA 20110 , (703)361-4966, http://www.karongymnastics.com.
MarVaTots 'n Teens Gymnastics
Emphasis on fun while building self esteem and self confidence.
5636 Randolph Rd., Rockville, MD, (301)468-9181, www.marvatotsnteens.com.
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Little Steps
Little Steps Music, LLC is a firm dedicated to the therapeutic treatment and informal education of all children through music. Programs offered by Little Steps Music include a music therapy private practice, group music therapy sessions, and Music Together
(registered symbol here), an informal music education program for infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and their families.
5631 Williamsburg Blvd., Arlington, VA 22207, (703)536-4706, www.littlestepsmusic.com.
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Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic riding helps with sensory, motor, and neurological stimulation. Therapeutic riding programs have helped many children with ADHD, hypotonia, sensory integration dysfunction, and cerebral palsy. There is a 6-12 month wait list.
P.O. Box 184, Clifton, VA 20124, (703) 764-0269, info@nvtrp.org, www.nvtrp.org
Potomac Horse Center
Working with children and adults with a wide range of disabilities including but not limited to attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity, hypotonia, sensory integration dysfunction, cerebral palsy, and microcephaly.
14211 Quince Orchard Rd. , Gaithersburg, MD , (301)208-0200 www.potomachorse.com
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Score!
Hands-on-tutoring or computer-based programs to enrich and support your child. Score provides tutoring classes in a fun way. The tutors are referred to as coaches and offer your child encouragement to build self confidence to be successful in school. Programs start at the pre-k level and emphasizes early reading and math skills.
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Budding Yogis
Therapeutic yoga helps strength and coordination as it builds self-esteem. Children diagnosed with low tone, ADHD, Sensory Integration, and Learning Disabilities can benefit from a yoga program.
Mindful Yoga Studio, 5615 39th Street, NW, Washington 20015, (202)686-1104, www.buddingyogis.com
Yoga Tales
Yoga tales provides age-appropriate stories to children while introducing yoga in a fun and interactive way. Children can benefit from increased strength, flexibility, attention, and concentration.
8020 Norfolk Ave. , Bethesda, MD , (301)951-9642 www.yogatales.com, sandi@yogatales.com.
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Preemie Friendly Recipes: provide a lot of nutrition and help our preemies put on weight. If you have a great preemie recipe that helped your preemie gain weight or just one that your preemie loved to eat, please email us the recipe and where you found it at info@preemiestoday.org
Big Ol’Casserole
Ingredients:
2 cups brown rice
2 cups canned drained butter beans
2 cups chopped spinach
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup green pepper, sautéed in butter
2 raw eggs
3 tablespoon wheat germ
2 tablespoons butter
2 oz. whole milk
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Add small amounts of milk to moisten. Turn into a greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes ten 1 cup servings.
Nutrition information:
1 cup serving = 230 calories, 12 grams protein, 12 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber
*Recipe taken with permission from Cindy Baranoski MS, RD, LDN, Pediatric Nutrition Therapist, Easter Seals DuPag's presentation at the Magic Foundation Annual Conference 2003 Chicago, IL.
