19 Activities for Kids with Down Syndrome To Practice At Home

Helping children with Down syndrome practice various skills at home can be fun and fulfilling.

These activities are designed to support physical, cognitive, and social development while providing plenty of opportunities for engagement and joy.

They’re also versatile enough to be used as rainy day activities for families. 

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1. Use Stories for Children with Down Syndrome

Reading stories is a wonderful activity for children with Down syndrome because it helps improve their language skills and attention span.

Choose stories that are visually engaging, with simple and repetitive language to make it easier for them to understand.

Use the story "A Fantastic Girl" on the Storybook app. Join your child in this inspiring story that celebrates the beauty of being unique and authentic.

Download the app today and help her value everything that makes her special!

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2. Puzzles

Puzzles support cognitive development by enhancing problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. Start with larger pieces, then gradually introduce smaller and more complex puzzles.

They’re a wonderful way to boost focus and patience, too, making them perfect as part of impulse control activities for kids.

Start with large-piece puzzles and gradually increase the difficulty. Celebrate their progress as they move from simple shapes to more complex images, which helps build confidence and attention to detail.

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3. Sensory Bins

Fill a bin with materials like rice, beans, or water beads and add objects for kids to explore. Sensory bins offer a hands-on experience that helps kids develop fine motor skills and provides sensory stimulation, which can be calming and enjoyable. Fill a bin with rice, pasta, or sand, and hide small toys for your child to find. Exploring textures and discovering hidden items keeps them engaged while soothing any sensory sensitivities.

4. Dance and Freeze

This game combines movement with listening skills. Play music and let kids dance, then pause the music and have them freeze in place.

It’s a fun way to improve coordination and impulse control. They’re also versatile enough to be used as thanksgiving activities for kids when you’re looking for ways to include everyone in the fun.

Play some upbeat music and let your child dance freely. Pause the music randomly and have them freeze in place—this helps them practice self-regulation while having a blast.

5. Turn-Taking Games

Playing simple games that require taking turns, like Go Fish or Uno, helps kids practice patience and social skills.

These games also encourage communication and cooperation with others.

Simple games like Go Fish or Connect 4 allow your child to practice waiting for their turn and following rules, which can translate to better interactions with peers.

6. Art Projects

Let kids explore their creativity through painting, drawing, or crafting. Art projects are excellent for improving fine motor skills and providing a positive outlet for self-expression. Provide materials for painting, coloring, or crafting. Let your child create freely, which helps them build confidence in their abilities and express themselves artistically.

7. Animal Walks

Have kids mimic different animal movements, like hopping like a bunny or waddling like a duck.

Animal walks are fun and help improve motor skills, strength, and coordination.

Ask your child to hop like a frog or waddle like a penguin. These playful movements keep them active and engaged while strengthening their muscles.

8. Simon Says

This classic game is fantastic for practicing listening and following directions.

It also supports impulse control and can easily be adapted to any age or skill level.

Give simple commands, like “Simon says touch your nose.” Gradually increase the difficulty with multi-step instructions to help your child focus and practice self-control.

9. Singing Together

Singing songs together encourages language development and builds memory skills. Choose favorite songs or add actions to make it more interactive and engaging. Choose songs with repetitive lyrics and simple actions. Singing nursery rhymes or favorite songs together can also be a comforting routine for rainy days.

10. Cooking Together

Cooking teaches practical life skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience as kids measure, mix, and stir.

Involve your child in making a simple recipe, like scrambled eggs or a fruit salad. It’s a great way to teach them about kitchen safety and allow them to participate in family activities, especially during Thanksgiving activities.

11. Mirror Imitation

Imitation games encourage social-emotional skills and motor coordination as kids mimic movements and facial expressions.

Stand in front of a mirror and make different faces or gestures for your child to copy. This can help with body awareness and empathy by letting them explore different expressions.

A wonderful resource to inspire your child’s confidence is the story “A Fantastic Girl” on the Storybook app, perfect for encouraging them to follow their passions.

This uplifting story shows children that they can be brave and fantastic in their own unique way. As you share this special moment together, it empowers your little one to embrace who they truly are. 🌟💖

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12. Sorting Colors/Shapes

Sorting activities improve categorization skills, cognitive development, and focus on specific attributes like color and shape. Use colored blocks or household items for sorting exercises. Ask your child to group items by color or shape, reinforcing their ability to organize and identify patterns.

13. Yoga for Kids

Introduce simple poses like Butterfly Pose and Tree Pose.

Practicing yoga together can be a calming routine, perfect for after school activities for kids to wind-down.

Yoga promotes relaxation, flexibility, and body awareness, helping kids manage stress and build strength. 

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14. Obstacle Course

Creating a simple obstacle course at home can help improve coordination and motor skills.

Kids can crawl under tables, hop over pillows, or walk along a line on the floor.

It’s a great way to build strength and balance while having fun.

Set up a course with pillows, chairs, and tape lines for your child to navigate.

It’s a great way to improve physical skills while they have fun jumping, crawling, and balancing.

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15. Building Blocks

Building activities support fine motor development, spatial awareness, and creative thinking as kids design their own structures.

Use LEGO or wooden blocks to let your child build towers, bridges, or castles.

This activity also improves hand-eye coordination as they navigate and stack different pieces.

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14. Musical Instrument Play

Playing instruments enhances rhythm, motor skills, and auditory processing, encouraging a love for music and self-expression. Provide simple instruments like tambourines, maracas, or drums. Playing along with music lets your child explore sound and rhythm, adding an auditory dimension to their learning.

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15. Role-Playing Scenarios

Role-playing helps build social skills, empathy, and creativity as kids take on different roles and explore new situations.

Encourage your child to pretend to be a doctor or chef with costumes or props. Role-playing scenarios help them understand various roles and responsibilities, promoting imaginative play.

16. Water Play

Water play provides sensory input, improves fine motor skills, and offers a soothing way to explore textures and temperature.

Fill a shallow basin with water and add cups, sponges, or toys. Let your child scoop, pour, and splash, making it a fun and calming sensory activity.

17. Shadow Play

Shadow play enhances visual-spatial skills, curiosity, and imagination as kids explore how light and shadows work. 

Use a flashlight to create shadows on the wall. Show your child how to move their hands or toys to create different shapes, turning this into a cozy, calming activity for nighttime or rainy days.      

18. Flashcard Games

Flashcards help with language development, memory, and word recognition, making them an effective tool for learning.

Use picture flashcards to reinforce words for objects, animals, or colors. This activity helps your child expand their vocabulary and can be adapted for different skill levels.

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19. Ball Play

Playing with balls—whether rolling, tossing, or kicking—helps improve coordination, balance, and strength.

Ball play also encourages interaction, especially when played with family members or friends.

Roll a ball back and forth, play catch, or set up a simple target game. It’s a great way to build social skills as they engage with others.

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How do puzzles benefit children with Down syndrome? 

Picking up puzzle pieces, placing them correctly, and maneuvering them into place helps improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

These movements can also strengthen finger muscles and dexterity. 

What types of activities are best for children with Down syndrome?

Activities like swimming, dancing, and yoga are excellent for building muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. They also improve gross motor skills and coordination while providing opportunities for social interaction.

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