Festive Fun: Holiday-Themed Pediatric Physical Therapy Activities

Join Dr. Lindsey for some fun, festive AND functional exercises
to stay active this holiday season!

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by incorporating
the joy of the festivities into pediatric physical therapy sessions? Engaging in holiday-
themed activities not only adds a sprinkle of cheer but also makes the rehabilitation
process more enjoyable for children. In this blog post, we'll explore creative and festive
exercises tailored for Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's, designed to make
pediatric physical therapy sessions both effective and enjoyable.
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1. Jingle Bell Movement:
*Objective:* Enhance gross motor skills and coordination.
Incorporate jingle bells into exercises to create a festive rhythm. For example, have
children shake jingle bells while walking or jumping to encourage rhythmic movement.
This not only improves motor skills but also adds a musical touch to the therapy
session.

2. Gingerbread Balance Challenge:
*Objective:* Develop balance and core strength.
Use gingerbread cutouts or mats with gingerbread designs to create a balance
challenge. Ask children to stand or walk on the gingerbread shapes while focusing on
maintaining balance. This activity adds a holiday twist to traditional balance exercises.

3. Snowflake Catch
*Objective:* Improve hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
Cut out snowflake shapes from paper or use snowflake stickers. Have children catch
the snowflakes using soft fabric balls or beanbags. Vary the difficulty by changing the
size or distance of the snowflakes. This activity is not only enjoyable but also effective in
honing fine motor skills.

4. Dreidel Dice Roll:
*Objective:* Enhance motor skills and hand strength.
Incorporate a dreidel-themed dice into therapeutic exercises. Each side of the dreidel
can represent a different exercise. Children can take turns rolling the dreidel dice and
performing the corresponding exercise.

5. New Year's Countdown Stretch
*Objective:* Increase flexibility and muscle strength.
Create a countdown routine with stretching exercises representing the numbers from
10 to 1. As you count down, encourage children to stretch different muscle groups. For
example, countdown lunges for legs, arm stretches for upper body, and toe touches for
overall flexibility.

​Integrating holiday-themed activities into pediatric physical therapy not only brings joy to
the season but also enhances the overall therapeutic experience for children. These
creative exercises not only target specific physical therapy goals but also make the
sessions fun and engaging. By combining the spirit of the holidays with rehabilitation,
we can ensure that children not only recover but also enjoy the journey towards better
health. Here's to a festive and fulfilling holiday season filled with laughter, progress, and wellbeing!