Sensory-Friendly Christmas in July Activities for Kids with Autism

As families in Australia begin to embrace the joy of Christmas in July, it’s the perfect time to bring some winter-themed magic into your child’s therapy routine. For children on the Autism Spectrum or with other learning difficulties, engaging in inclusive, sensory-friendly activities can promote learning, social interaction, and fun in a low-pressure environment.

At Freedom Therapy Services, our approach to Autism Therapy and Early Intervention is rooted in play-based and personalised support. If you’re looking for fun ways to connect with your child at home, these Christmas-themed ideas are adaptable for all developmental levels.

1. Winter Sensory Bins (Snow Play)

Objective: Promote tactile exploration and fine motor development.

Materials Needed:

Instant snow, shredded paper, or cornflour/oil mixture
Plastic Christmas-themed toys (Santa, reindeer, mini gifts)
Scoops, spoons, and containers

Adaptations for Different Needs:

Use larger scoops for kids with fine motor delays
Add peppermint essential oil for a calming scent experience

Freedom Tip:
Sensory bins offer a calming, hands-on experience for children with autism. We explore activities just like this during our Holiday Camps and Social Skills Classes. Some fan favourite Holiday Camp themes include ‘The 5 Senses’, ‘Sensory Discovery Day’ and ‘Mad Scientist Sensory Day’. Learn more about our Holiday Camps.

2. Decorate a Felt Christmas Tree

Objective: Support creativity, fine motor skills, and task sequencing.

Materials Needed:

Large green felt cut into a tree shape
Velcro-backed felt decorations (stars, ornaments, gifts)

Adaptations:

Use high-contrast colours for visual accessibility
Larger decorations help kids with reduced motor precision

Freedom Tip:
Fine-motor control is an important skill for all children, particularly children with autism. Our School Readiness Programs for 3–6-year-olds targets fine and gross motor control, as well as working on following instructions, emotional regulation, communication and social skills. Learn more about our School Readiness Programs.

3. Christmas Carol Dance Party

Objective: Encourage gross motor development and social interaction.

Materials Needed:

A playlist of upbeat carols
Movement props like jingle bells and ribbons

Adaptations:

Provide visual cue cards (e.g., “clap”, “spin”, “jump”)
Offer seated options for children with mobility needs

Freedom Tip:
Music is an amazing tool to explore new skills in a happy and safe environment. We offer tailored Early Intervention and Specialist Behaviour Support programs, supporting NDIS participants to build adaptive skills to increase their independence and increase behaviours of concern. Music can be a great reinforcer for learners of all ages and can be implemented into programs, such as anticipatory routines. Learn more about our Early Intervention and Specialist Behaviour Support programs.

4. Snowflake Art with Cotton Balls

Objective: Encourage creativity and fine motor control.

Materials Needed:

Blue paper, glue sticks, cotton balls or white paint

Instructions:
Have children glue cotton balls or dot paint to create snowflakes.

Adaptations:

Offer visual templates to support independence
Use glue dots to make handling easier

Freedom Tip:
Exploring our senses through art is an amazing way to boost creativity and work on fine motor control. We offer our Art Social Skills Class, on Mondays for children with learning difficulties, aged 5-10. Learn more about our Social Skills Classes.

5. Santa’s Winter Obstacle Course

Objective: Improve physical coordination and imagination.

Activity Stations Might Include:

Crawling through a “chimney” (tunnel)
Stepping on “icebergs” (pillows/mats)
Delivering presents to “chimneys” (toy boxes)

Adaptations:

Adjust course difficulty and distance
Add simple visual or verbal prompts for guidance

Freedom Tip:
Obstacle courses are an easy activity for parents to set up and for children with busy minds to stay engaged, particularly on rainy days. We often include activities like obstacle courses during our weekend Social Skills classes, as it encourages communication, teamwork, listening to instructions and gross-motor control.

6. Hot Chocolate Station (Pretend or Real Play)

Objective: Foster communication, sensory regulation, and social play.

Materials:

Pretend kitchen setup or real hot chocolate ingredients
Mugs, spoons, whipped cream, marshmallows
Visual recipe cards or steps

Adaptations:

Use pretend kits for kids with feeding sensitivities
Break instructions into visual steps for better comprehension

Freedom Tip:
Our Early Intervention programs are grounded in the principles of ABA and use play as a tool for children to stay engaged and motivated to learn. We can work on lots of foundational skills like functional communication, prepositions and colours through the creative lens of imaginative play.

Creating festive, inclusive experiences helps children develop vital skills while feeling safe, happy and engaged in learning.