Easter Baskets
For some children, this is as easy as putting in some candy and maybe a few of their favorite toys. But what about special-needs children?
When you have a child that has sensory needs, avoiding certain, common gifts can be extremely important. For example, you may have an oral sensory seeker that regulates by putting things in their mouth, so things that are small or can easily be broken would be major choking hazards. Knowing your child’s specific sensory needs can help you find special and appropriate gifts for them.
For Easter basket filler ideas, see my previous post on the best gifts for sensory-seekers, broken down by specific sensory needs.
Easter Egg Hunts
There are so many different fun and exciting Easter activities that you can do with your children. You may plan to participate in a large-scale Easter egg hunt, but it could turn out to be too much for your child. There could be overstimulating crowds and noises, or your child may not understand the process of an Easter egg hunt.
So, what can you do for festive fun? There are several options! You can go to one of the large events, but I would strongly encourage you to bring items that help your child with their specific needs, like noise-cancelling headphones or a weighted stuffed animal. Another option would be to plan an egg hunt with just your family and/or friends. This way, you can plan it for whenever the best time is for your child.
Here are 3 sensory-friendly Easter egg hunt ideas:
- Tactile Eggs: Fill eggs with sensory materials, squishy toys, or weighted items to offer different, calming sensations.
- Auditory Eggs: “Beeping” eggs, are primarily for children with visual impairments, but they can make for a fun sensory hunt for kids without sight issues.
- Visual Eggs: Incorporate light-up or glowing eggs into your hunt. This is especially great for children with limited vision or if you’re hunting in darker, quieter environments.
- Mobility-Friendly: Attach balloons to eggs or place them on elevated surfaces to assist children with wheelchairs or other mobility aids.
Local Events
- Sensory Egg Hunt– On 3/28, the city of Alabaster will host a sensory-friendly Easter egg hunt for individuals with special needs and their family members.
- Lakeshore Foundation Accessible Easter Egg Hunt– Held on 3/29, this event is open to youth of all ages with a physical disability, chronic health condition, and/or visual impairment OR children of adults with a physical disability.
- A Very Special Easter Egg Hunt– This Pelham event on 3/31 is family-centered, focusing on active participation for children with various disabilities or limitations and their siblings.
