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Growing Hands-On Kids

Growing Hands-On Kids

Child Development Tips, Tools, and Strategies

You are here: Home / Sensory & Behavior / 6 Sensory Activities for Kids Who Climb and Jump

6 Sensory Activities for Kids Who Climb and Jump

October 11, 2014 By Heather Greutman 11 Comments

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Kids, by nature, are movers. They learn by moving through their environment with their 5 senses. When kids are jumping and climbing they are also using a 6 sense of the vestibular and proprioceptive systems. Yes, you really do have a 6th sense! Today we are going to be looking at some simple ways to include sensory activities for kids who love to climb and jump.

October is also Sensory Awareness month. I have teamed up with a brand new company called Project Sensory and a series with Lemon Lime Adventures called Decoding Everyday Kid Behaviors. More details on all that below as well.

6 fun sensory activities for kids who love to jump and climb on everything. www.GoldenReflectionsBlog.com

My daughter is two years old, so we are right at that stage where jumping and climbing is about all she does. My husband asked me the other day “Does she EVER sit still?” My answer was, “Nope!' But that is how it should be. At two years old, she is learning about the world around her through movement.

She is learning that when she tries to swing on the back of a chair that it most likely will fall back on her (not that we have any experience with this at all). She is realizing how much strength she has in her legs for jumping that she can actually get both feet off the ground.

My daughter has always loved movement. From the time she was very little, she loved flying through the air with daddy and grandpa. She never shied away from any type of movement. She has never showed any fear of anything. Other than bubble wrap, but that is another story.

What is a Sensory Seeker?

I have always described Ellie as a vestibular and proprioceptive sensory seeker. So what do I mean by that?

A sensory seeker is a child who looks for, craves, or seeks certain sensory input. Sensory input can come through touch, sight, hearing, taste, smell or through movement (vestibular input and proprioception).

A sensory avoider is a child who has a fear of, avoids, or does not enjoy certain sensory inputs.

For a quick reference vestibular input has to do with balance and movement of the inner ear. So movement that involves the head in many different positions is considered vestibular.

Proprioception is sensory input from the large muscle groups (legs and arms) and the spine.

So what does this have to do with jumping or climbing?

Climbers and Jumpers are Craving Proprioceptive and Vestibular Sensory Input!

They are craving that heavy work, deep muscle, head tilting movement. And climbing and jumping gives them the input they crave.

So you have a child who loves to jump and climb on EVERYTHING. At times they may try to jump or climb on things that are not safe. Can we monitor this 24/7? Of course not. Accidents happen.

My daughter for example, learned quite quickly that if she tried to hang on the back of the dinning room chair, it would come back on her. She hasn't tried to hang on it since. She has moved to hanging on the refrigerator door handles or the stove handle. She keeps me on my toes.

You may have a child who will continue this type of behavior because they crave that input so much that safety concerns don't even phase them.

As parents, educators and family members, we can provide this sensory seeker with the input they need to help decrease the chances of them trying to climb on or jump on unsafe things.

6 Ideas for Sensory Input for Jumpers and Climbers

6 fun sensory activities for kids who love to jump and climb on everything. www.GoldenReflectionsBlog.com

 

1. Take your child to a play on a playground. 

This one may seem like a no-brainer. But getting your child outside for a movement or brain break is going to help them get the sensory input they need. Climbing on the play ground equipment, swinging, jumping over, under, or around play ground objects will help them fill that need for vestibular or proprioceptive input.

2. Gymnastics or Tumbling Lessons (if  possible)

I realize that not all families are able to do this because of money or distance. But if you are able to I highly suggest doing gymnastics or tumbling lessons. I plan on taking my daughter to tumbling classes this winter, when it will be hard to get outside for climbing and jumping. Not only will it provide the needed proprioceptive and vestibular input, it is great for core strengthening, balance control and many other gross motor skills.

3. Make an indoor crash pad 

Get some gym floor mats (the thick ones), bean bags, blankets etc. Make a huge pile and make sure it is safe enough for a child to jump into and not get hurt. Then have a flat surface for them to climb onto (couch, chair etc) and have them jump into the pile of fluff! I guarantee they will have hours of fun doing this. And of course, please do not do this activity if you cannot be around the monitor.

Here is a great suggestion for a DIY crash mat from Kids Activities Blog.

4. Get a Mini Trampoline 


My husband got this Mini Trampoline recently for my daughter with some birthday money. She L.O.V.E.S it. Plus it is saving my couches, so mommy loves it too! 🙂

5. Door way pull up bar 

It may seem like this one doesn't fit with jumping or climbing, but it does. Pull up bars will provide that heavy work and deep muscle movement your child craves. Of course, these are best for older children, not toddlers or younger children.

6. Make an indoor jungle jim obstacle course 

Make your DIY Crash mat from above, have pillows, bean bags chairs, wooden chairs, tunnels, or any other type of object that allows your child to climb on or through and jump on. Make an obstacle course in your house or outside. Have a race to see who can get through the fastest etc. Make it fun for the entire family!

Here are a couple of activity suggestions:

  • Laundry Basket Push Game
  • Tunnel Crawling Game
  • Motor Skill Preposition Game – Tot Schooling

Introducing #ProjectSensory and the Sensory Fix Toolkit

October is Sensory Processing Awareness Month. ALL children have sensory needs, whether they have a diagnosis or not. There are many simple solutions to supporting children's sensory systems.

Enter Project Sensory and their Sensory Fix Toolkit.

Project Sensory, Sensory Fix ToolKit

Project Sensory’s mission is to provide parents, educators, and caregivers with the resources, support and tools they need to help their children succeed at home and school.

It is their goal to spread awareness of the importance of the sensory needs of ALL children. In fact, a percentage of every purchase of a Sensory Fix™ will help us put sensory tools into classrooms across America.

Introducing-Sensory-Fix

 

The Sensory Fix™ toolkit is a handpicked kit filled to the brim with over 15 tools to help your child organize their sensory systems today. The kit comes with a 1 year membership to Project Sensory’s exclusive printables club (which is not available to anyone else at the moment)

The kit currently includes a Simple to Use Companion Guide that visually shows how each item in the kit can support their child’s sensory needs, and a behavior chart that matches everyday kid behaviors to tools in the kit.

Printables-from-Project-Sensory-How-to-Handle-a-Clumsy-Kid-at-B-Inspired-Mama

As part of the Printables Club, members will receive a monthly newsletter with exclusive printables only available to them, one video, and a sensory tip they can use NOW.

In addition, all printables added during the duration of their membership will be free to them (excluding any ebooks).

If readers were to purchase the kit in stores or online separately, it would cost over $200, we are offering it at a 35% discount, including free printables for a year, and donating 1 Sensory Fix™ Kit to classrooms in need for every 20 kits purchased.

Sensory Fix™ for Everyday Sensory Needs

 

Want to “Decode” More Child Behaviors?

Check out the month long Decoding Everyday Kid Behaviors series that this post is part of.

decoding kid behaviors

 

 

For more Vestibular and Proprioception activity ideas, check out my Pinterest board.

 

Follow Heather G. | Golden Reflections Blog ‘s board Vestibular & Proprioceptive Activities on Pinterest.

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Filed Under: Sensory & Behavior Tagged With: Gross Motor

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CONTENT DISCLAIMER: Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. All information on the Website is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult with a medical professional if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child. The information on the Websites does not replace the relationship between therapist and client in a one-on-one treatment session with an individualized treatment plan based on their professional evaluation. The information provided on the Website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Do not rely on the information on the Website as an alternative to advice from your medical professional or healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment as a result of any information provided on the Website. All medical information on the Website is for informational purposes only. All activities outlined on the Website are designed for completion with adult supervision. Please use your own judgment with your child and do not provide objects that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Never leave a child unattended during these activities. Please be aware of and follow all age recommendations on all products used in these activities. Growing Hands-On Kids is not liable for any injury when replicating any of the activities found on this blog. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY The Website was developed strictly for informational purposes. You understand and agree that you are fully responsible for your use of the information provided on the Website. Growing Hands-On Kids makes no representations, warranties or guarantees. You understand that results may vary from person to person. Growing Hands-On Kids assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions that may appear in the Website.

Comments

  1. Theres Just One Mommy says

    October 11, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    My daughter is definitely a seeker when it comes to jumping and climbing! I remember when she was a year and a half and I would be feeding her brother and I’d have to get her off the t.v. with one arm while carrying him in the other.
    Safe climbing places are definitely important!

    Reply
  2. Jeanine says

    October 13, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Thank you Heather for another amazing blog post. I’ve learned so much from your blog as well as Lemon and Lime. I feel so encouraged and positive gathering all this information instead of heartbroken and full of guilt. You’ve described my son to a T and I feel more hope then despair navigating this sensory adventure we’re on.

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      October 14, 2014 at 2:02 pm

      This comment made my day! Thank you so much Jeanine. I am so glad you have found encouragement here. That is my goal. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Marya says

    August 19, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    Great ideas! We have a 9 yr. Old vestibular and proprioceptive sensory-seeker. Love the crash pad idea. Similar to that, and one more possibility if money and space allow, are two items we found at IKEA. We hung their gymnastics rings and “spinny chair” (hanging swinging, cocoon-like) from the ceiling joists in our basement and added an 8 inch foam mattress below to ensure no head injuries. They have been lifesavers for our active boy during long winters in Ontario! Siblings and friends love ’em too.

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      August 19, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      Great ideas Marya! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  4. Emma says

    August 31, 2015 at 7:37 am

    Oh, I so wish we had the room for an indoor jungle gym! For now my daughter will have to be happy using the couch cushions as a crash pad (and she is! lol!)

    Reply
  5. Kim says

    November 3, 2015 at 10:42 am

    I really appreciate your suggestions here. I have a three year old boy who is definitely a climber. I am looking for ways to keep him satisfied indoors, as the weather gets cold. I am also trying to give suggestions to his daycare since they have him all day. I want them to have tricks and tools to give him the vestibular, preprioceptive, and tactile activities he needs throughout the day. I am also thinking of potential Christmas present ideas to tell the family to get. Thanks so much! I appreciate any feedback you have.

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      November 10, 2015 at 10:05 pm

      Hi Kim, I have a few posts here with brain break ideas that all focus on vestibular and proprioceptive activities. If you search brain breaks in the search bar on the side they should all come up, lots of great ideas to pass a long to his daycare.

      Reply
  6. Chuck Habing says

    February 9, 2017 at 8:52 am

    Good article and list. Pull up bar was a surprise to me but I agree. Thanks for the article and list. Basically kids need to just get out and play.

    Reply
  7. Angelica says

    January 11, 2018 at 6:41 pm

    Hi I’m wondering what age is a red flag for continued behavior or needing to climb everything before knowing if their is a sensory imbalance. If motor skills balance etc are hitting age appropriate. As I have learned children seek sensory input at every stage of development.
    Thanks for all your expertise you share for so many

    Reply
  8. Jennifer says

    May 17, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    My son is a climber. I once wrote a review about our stove/oven on Amazon and I mentioned that the handle on the bottom drawer was not a great feature for us currently because our son will hold the oven door and step up on the drawer handle. In the comments people mentioned that I was doing a stinky job watching my kid. Perhaps, sometimes :-). However, the ovens that have drawers that are flat with everything, with just a lip to pull do not allow a kid to attempt to stand on the handle of the drawer. It’s an odd thing that one might never consider until you have it and have toddlers around. Short of bolting our kitchen chairs to our concrete floors, there is no way we could entirely child-proof our house from our young resident monkey. He just uses chairs to get everywhere he wants to get. Oddly, he doesn’t seem inclined to climb at the playground. Just at home and on the counters, the couches, the table and beds. I love these ideas!

    Reply

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