6 Activities Using a Soft Blanket

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6 Activities To Do with a Soft Blanket
A soft blanket has been a favorite staple in therapy bags and classrooms for a long time now. (An inexpensive vellux has been a personal favorite - has a little stretch, durable, soft and cozy, easy to clean!) Here are 6 favorite activities to do.
  • can be used for group parachute games. Children can run under 1 or 2 at a time and switch places. Bounce small balls to get them off the blanket, or work together to keep a larger beachball on the blanket. 
  • Roll child up and play "hotdog" adding pretend ingredients giving different tactile input. (Remember not to cover the face and ask frequently if they are "cooked & ready to come out" - child should have full control of the activity)
  • Group "Monkeys on the Bed": all students lay flat on floor on their stomachs. Spread the blanket out on top of them. The first child/monkey then rolls over the top of the blanket to the other end of the row. Fun way to give everyone some deep pressure - but can excite bevhavior.
  • Quiet time Tent; Drape over a student desk or 2 chairs to make an enclosed space. Great for calming and quiet time activities, maybe do a pegboard, string beads or read a book together
  • Pretend Beach Blanket: Spread the blanket out on the floor or mat to  lay on and use it as a way to give a little tactile input when playing.
  • Rice/Sensory Bucket drop cloth: Spread under the child and sensory bin on the floor before playing to make clean up a little easier.

Story Starters:
Use these pictures and beginning of sentences to write or tell a story. Great for handwriting practice or creative writing. Also a fun way to pass the time while waiting in line, traffic or for dinner to be served!
1. My favorite thing: to eat, do, watch, play is:
2. If I were the principal, I would...
3. Last night I dreamed...
1. He is a...
2. I could...
1. He jumped from...

2. I saw a skydiver...