Therapy Outside the Box: Outdoor Activities That Build Skills and Spark Joy

When the summer sun is shining, there’s no better place for therapy than the great outdoors. At AOT, Inc., we encourage school-based therapists to think outside the box and sometimes outside the building!

Outdoor sessions offer dynamic, naturalistic opportunities to address IEP goals through movement, language, and play. Below are some therapist-approved activities to try during summer sessions!

Movement Paths with Chalk or Cones

Set up simple movement sequences using chalk drawings or cones on a sidewalk or blacktop. Add prompts for actions (jump, spin, clap), language cues (name a category item), or social challenges (greet a peer).

Builds:

• Motor planning and sequencing
• Receptive and expressive language
• Gross motor coordination
• Attention and working memory

Outdoor Sensory Walks

Walk with students around the school grounds or a nearby green space. Pause to engage the senses like listening to birds, smelling flowers, or touching tree bark. Encourage describing, comparing, or journaling findings.

Builds:

• Sensory awareness and regulation
• Descriptive language and concept vocabulary
• Mindfulness and emotional regulation
• Joint attention and engagement

Target Games with Bean Bags or Water Balls

Use chalk targets, buckets, or hula hoops to create tossing challenges. Add communication prompts before each throw or ask students to narrate their actions.

Builds:

• Hand-eye coordination
• Turn-taking and social interaction
• Articulation or fluency goals
• Core strength and postural control

Role-Play and Pretend Play in Nature

Set up pretend campsites, animal habitats, or outdoor kitchens using natural materials like sticks, leaves, and stones. Use imaginative themes to embed therapy goals into play.

Builds:

• Play and social development
• Narrative and expressive language
• Fine Motor Skills
• Executive functioning and creativity

Summer Is the Perfect Time to Try Something New

Outdoor therapy blends creativity with functionality while often leading to stronger engagement and faster skill generalization. At AOT, Inc., we support our therapists in finding fun, flexible ways to meet student needs while keeping sessions fresh and meaningful.

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