5 Art-Based Activities to Keep Hyperactive Kids Busy

April 27, 2020 by Next Step 4 ADHD ADHD / ADD, Anxiety and Stress, Children, Parenting and Families 0 comments

Are you feeling stuck in a rut creating fun activities to keep your kids busy? Try an art project! Art can be a great way to occupy your kids, and it provides so many benefits to your children. Creating art boosts confidence, stretches the imagination, and — for children with ADHD — it can increase attentional abilities.

In this post, we’ll cover:

The benefits of art at home
Tips for success
5 easy art activities to keep hyperactive kids busy

Benefits of Art at Home

There’s no denying that art is a great way for humans — no matter the age — to express emotions. Art is a particularly good outlet for expressing difficult emotions such as anger, frustration, sadness, and anxiety. While creating art, children can work through difficult emotions, reduce their stress levels, increase self-confidence, and even strengthen problem-solving skills.

Tips for a Successful Art Session

You’re busy working from home, you’re trying to homeschool your child… is art really the best option? While some art projects are labor intensive, require a lot of adult supervision, and are oh-so-messy, there are plenty of easy art projects that your kids will love.

To make the most out of your art session, keep these tips in mind:

Focus on the process rather than the product: The goal isn’t to make the next museum-worthy masterpiece. It’s all about the journey. Your child might love the sensory process of using art. Even just scribbling with a crayon on paper can be therapeutic. Encourage your child to concentrate on what it feels like to color, draw, etc.
Talk about it: Ask your child about his or her artwork. Avoid criticizing the piece. Try asking “What’s happening in this picture?”
Explore feelings: If your child isn’t happy with his end result — or if he becomes frustrated — create an opportunity for problem solving. Ask “What would you do differently next time?”
Use a timer: Timers can be a helpful way to helps kids learn to manage time. It prevents children from rushing through projects or losing track of time.
Start simple: If you’re not used to trying at home, it’s best to start simple. Avoid projects with too many steps. You can even run a Google search for “crafts for [insert your child’s age].”

5 Art Projects to Keep Hyperactive Kids Busy

Ready to try some art? Remember, you can also just color. Coloring is relaxing and it’s calming for both adults and children.

1. Create a Mandala

A mandala — which means “circle” in Sanskirt — is a great introduction to art at home. At it’s most basic, a mandala is a circle with geometric shapes inside.

Image Source

To make a beginner mandala, follow the step-by-step guide. Once your child has drawn his or her pattern, spend time coloring each geometric shape, using crayons, colored pencils, or markers.

Drawing and coloring a mandala providers many benefits for children with ADHD. This type of coloring can be very therapeutic, but it’s also a confidence booster to create the pattern.

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, drawing mandalas can reduce impulsivity and settle hyperactivity in children with ADHD.”

2. Scribbles

Don’t underestimate the power of a scribble! Give your child clean sheets of paper and drawing utensils (crayons, etc). Allow him or her to create scribbles, and when the paper is full, simply flip it over and decorate the second side. For younger children, ask them about the designs. Try asking, “Tell me about your picture. What did you create?”

3. Ripped Paper Collage

Older children may sense the tension or increased stress levels during the pandemic. If you sense that your child is anxious, have him or her draw his worries. This is a good opportunity to discuss any feelings he or she is having. When talking about the pandemic, it’s okay to answer your child’s questions, but use age-appropriate phrases to help reduce stress.

To create a ripped paper collage,

Ask your child to rip up the paper (the one where he drew his worries)
Tape or glue the pieces onto a second piece of paper
Ask your child to create a second collage of something that makes him or her happy

Tip: If you or your child is having a hard time with anxiety or intense worries, we also offer telehealth sessions for children and adults.

4. Springtime Snowmen

For children who love sensory experiences, a springtime snowman might be the perfect afternoon activity.

Choose your medium: PlayDough, kinetic sand, etc
Lay wax paper over the play area to help keep it tidy
Ask your child to make a snowman
Make a hat, scarf, buttons with clay

Your child might just enjoy squishing the kinetic sand or making the balls, and that’s okay too!

5. Try Crochet

If you have an older child, crochet can be a great outlet for busy hands. According to a research from Dr. Pippa Burns with the University of Wollongong Australia , crochet has a tremendous impact on mental health. Crochet (and knitting) can promote:

Calmness
Happiness
Improved memory
Improved concentration

More Resources for Home Learning with an ADHD Child

As you continue to work at home and teach your children, we are here to support you. Remember, it’s normal for kids to feel scared or apprehensive about current events. We have created several resources and programs to help you create calm learning environments so your children can thrive at home.

Questions? We’re Just a Call or Click Away

At NextStep 4 ADHD, we’re happy to provide comprehensive care for ADHD — for you and your children. If your child has ADHD, we don’t want him or her to miss out on valuable sessions. Whether you’re interested in receiving a diagnosis, therapy for your child, or other services, we are here to make sure your telehealth experience is successful. Give us a call or send us a message to request more information.

Don’t forget to sign up for our free newsletter so you can stay up-to-date with the latest news, free ADHD resources, and upcoming events!