Simple recreational activities that children with disabilities can enjoy! A collection of ideas you can play right away
Fun playtime with children with disabilities can actually be simple and easy to start right away—there are many kinds of recreational activities! From physical activities to seated games, we introduce easy recreations on various themes that you can choose based on each child’s interests and characteristics.
These activities are full of ways to spend heartwarming time while promoting the development of motor and cognitive skills.
They’re packed with ideas that let children make the most of what they’re good at while gently encouraging them to try things they find challenging.
Please enjoy them at your child’s own pace!
Simple Recreational Activities That Children with Disabilities Can Enjoy! A Collection of Ready-to-Play Ideas (1–10)
Balloon roly-poly game
https://www.tiktok.com/@soramame.sensei/video/7464447014768528658First, attach a weight to a balloon to make one that pops back up when knocked over.
Create a 3×3 grid on the floor with hula hoops or similar, and you win by lining up three in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally! This activity effectively improves motor skills, hand–eye balance, and sense of force control.
Kids are sure to be captivated.
It’s easy to prepare and safe to enjoy indoors, so adults can join in the fun too.
It promotes growth through play, so be sure to enjoy it together with the children!
Cup rhythm game
Here’s an idea where children enjoy a musical game called “Cups” using cups to the popular YOASOBI song Yoru ni Kakeru.
Clap your hands, tap the cup tap-tap, set it on the table, and give it a spin! It creates a fun time full of smiles and rhythm at the after-school day service.
The moves are simple, but when the sounds and claps line up, the sense of unity is perfect.
Children with disabilities can join at their own pace too! With a bit of creativity, any child can enjoy it.
Even the adults watching will get excited and want to try it themselves.
All you need are paper or plastic cups, so it’s easy to introduce—give it a try!
Various number-taking game
https://www.tiktok.com/@bear_kids_official/video/7524629709666290952It’s a game where you use various cards—numbers, symbols, illustrations, and more—to find 1 through 10! While becoming familiar with numbers and letters, kids develop number recognition, concentration, and the ability to follow rules.
By cooperating or competing with friends, their communication skills improve too.
It’s full of clever ideas that naturally lead to learning through play.
Even adults watching will want to join in.
Give it a try—children and adults can play together and enjoy a great time.
Everyone’s favorite music play
How about an idea where children play musical games to original music using existing instruments or homemade ones? As they freely make sounds with bells, maracas, drums, and more, smiles naturally appear as they get into the rhythm.
It’s okay even if you’re not confident with music! It’s a time when each child can be the star.
It also nurtures expressive and communication skills.
Adults can enjoy it together as a program too.
It’s easy to incorporate and will make daily activities even more fun, so be sure to try it with the children.
Masking tape toy
Stick 2–3 strips of masking tape horizontally on the wall, leaving a small gap in the middle to form a tunnel.
Then drop balls or beanbags through it—simple and fun.
It helps children develop control of hand strength, aiming skills, and concentration.
You can place a box underneath and adjust how loose the tape is to match each child’s developmental level.
Children with disabilities can also enjoy success at their own pace, building confidence.
It’s easy to start with everyday materials, and it naturally brings smiles to children’s faces!
It’s fun to blow, cock-a-doodle-doo!
https://www.tiktok.com/@welbe.co.jp/video/7241401657186127112On the fingertips of a disposable glove, draw feathers with a pen, and put a beak, eyes, and comb on the thumb area.
Next, make a hole near the bottom of a paper cup and secure the glove over the cup.
Thread a straw through the hole, and when you blow, it looks as if a bird is inflating and taking off from inside the cup! It’s also cute to draw a beak and wings on the cup.
Using mouth strength helps practice breathing and vocalization, and it gives a sense of accomplishment.
The materials are easy to find, so preparation is simple.
Children can participate at their own pace.
Be sure to make it together with the kids and have fun!
Fun educational game
https://www.tiktok.com/@soramame.sensei/video/7254149835400416514This is a simple indoor game where you gently stack colorful cardboard pieces—cut into shapes of foods kids love—onto a toilet paper roll using chopsticks or your hands.
Because it requires careful control of force, it helps develop fine motor skills, concentration, and recognition of colors and shapes.
You can use everyday materials! Even if pieces fall, it’s still fun, so children naturally experience cooperation and a sense of accomplishment as they play.
Kids with and without disabilities can enjoy it together, and you can adjust the difficulty with a bit of creativity.
It’s a gentle, handmade activity that even adults can get absorbed in.