Activities for Children with ADHD

Attention – Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can significantly impact children and their ability to stay focused or stay still for long periods of time.

Many children with ADHD display primary symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity, which can cause them to be in constant motion, seemingly flitting from one activity to the next. 

As a parent it may seem overwhelming to keep your child engaged in activities that stimulate your child’s senses and burn of their seemingly endless amounts of energy.

However, activities don’t have to be complex, the key factor is to choose activities that are both engaging and beneficial to your child’s needs. 

That’s why we have pulled together a list of engaging, physical, and sensory activities that will suit children of all ages, which will help develop important skills and manage their behaviour and energy levels. 

Choosing the Right Activities for Children with ADHD

When choosing activities for your child, enjoyment should be the focus. The right activity can help build your child’s strengths, preferences, boosting their self esteem and overall well – being. 

Physical movement is a great way to channel their energy as well as improving organisational skills and time management, incorporating sensory play and spending time in nature can help regulate their nervous system and attune their brain.

It is also essential to consider your child’s particular ADHD symptoms and tailor their activities toward them. For example, if your child is full of energy, outdoor physical activities or structured classes may be the best choice. If they struggle with focus, interactive games or activities that engage their mind, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) projects, may provide the right balance.

Activities for Younger Children

Sensory play for young children can help to improve their focus and regulate their sensory input. Engaging all the senses—touch, sight, smell, taste, and hearing—helps create an immersive and calming experience.

Some physical activity ideas for younger children could include:

• Going on a Scavenger Hunt – either indoors, hiding cars or characters around the house, or outdoors in the back garden looking for insects. You could also head to the park or the woods to find bugs and leaves.

• Heading to a Park or Playground – a simple playground can help encourage children to swing, slide, and explore.

• Creating an Obstacle Course – build indoors with cushions, chairs, and boxes or outdoors and challenge them to navigate as best they can.

• Gardening – digging and planting seeds and plants together in the garden is both physical and sensory, especially if they want to take their shoes and socks off during the process.

• Building a Forts– this could be using pegs and old bedsheets, or you could ask your children to decorate cardboard and use it to create a fort.

Sensory Play:

• Finger Painting – Liquid paints and plenty of paper can help children be creative and explore their sensory needs by feeling the texture of paint and engaging their sight, touch, and even smell. 

• Water Play – Water-based activities are simple and accessible you could use a bathtub, a paddling pool, or even the kitchen sink. Children can experiment with cups, jugs, and various containers, offering both a calming sensory experience and a way to focus their attention.

• Creating Sensory Bins – Fill jars or tubs with different materials that feel, look, and sound different that children can explore.

• Playing with Kinetic Sand – Building and moulding kinetic sand can scratch the sensory itch for young children as it feels interesting and you can build various shapes with it.

• Modelling Clay and Play Dough – Moulding and shaping kinetic sand or play dough offers a sensory-rich experience, encouraging children to explore imaginative play and develop their fine motor skill development. 

Activities for Older Children

School-age children and teenagers will often get to a point where they want to do activities on their own, which can make creating engaging activities difficult. It is also the point at which many children want to start taking on hobbies, this is where we would encourage physical activity as it helps teenagers release excess energy and helps to improve their executive function. Physical activities or hobbies you could consider are:

• Rock Climbing or Trampolining – Safe, indoor activities such as this are excellent for burning off energy and building self-esteem.

• Dancing or Performance Classes – For children with endless energy, dancing or theatre classes allow them to express themselves creatively while staying active.

• Family Sports Day – Encourage your child to set up a family sports day outside with some gentle competition such as a race or a game of football, basketball, or tennis.

• Group Outdoor Games – Games like tag, hide and seek, or frisbee are great for teaching social skills and teamwork.

Creative and Skill-Building Activities:

• Knitting or Sewing – Teach your child to use their hands and make something they can wear or gift to someone else.

• Working Toward a Common Goal – If you’re training for a marathon or planning a long bike ride, invite your child to train with you. This helps boost self-esteem and dopamine levels.

• Cooking – Let your child help plan meals for the week or assist with dinner preparation. Cooking is an excellent way to develop focus and patience.

Beyond Clinics: Child ADHD Assessment, Diagnosis, Help, and Support

We are a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, offering child ADHD assessments up to their 18th birthday. We utilise evidence-based diagnostic tools and include input from the child, parents or guardians, and teachers.

If you would like to contact our friendly and professional team today for a confidential chat either about our ADHD assessment process or for advice on how you can support your child, don’t hesitate. We are a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, here to help you.