I had fun setting this up in my clinic but you could try it at home or school. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
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Hi Hanna,

I wanted to share a fun 'laser' game with wool that I set up in my clinic in case you'd like to have a go at home or if you work in a school then it could be done in a school hall too. There is a photo in this email but you might need to click an 'allow images' type button on your email to see it. 

Hi Hanna,

I wanted to share a fun 'laser' game with wool that I set up in my clinic in case you'd like to have a go at home or if you work in a school then it could be done in a school hall too. There is a photo in this email but you might need to click an 'allow images' type button on your email to see it. 

First I will first share the basic version of the game and then I will suggest some variations and also other game ideas. All work on motor skills and are regulating as well. 

Level 1 - no obstacles, just the usual room. Use wool to create pretend lasers across the room. If you don't have enough objects to tie lasers to, you can try using masking tape. Don't create too many initially so that your child can have a go at 'easy mode' and get used to crawling or sliding under and climbing over the wool lasers. You can allow touching the laser wool at this level.

Level 2 - add some more wool to increase the challenge. 

Level 3 - add some obstacles to create an uneven surface in the room e.g. pillows, duvets, beanbags and if you have anything such as stepping stones, cones, balance pods etc then you can use whatever you have. You can also use chairs or washing baskets etc to block certain routes. 

Level 4 - if you want to go to 'max level' then you can suggest completing the course without touching any of the wool lasers. 

Variations:

  • Use different colour lasers and create a rule e.g. you can touch the green ones but not the red ones. 
  • To increase the challenge, suggest your child carries something through the obstacle course with them. First they could be allowed to put the item down whilst navigating each laser and then they could work up to carrying the item the whole way. Using a weighted item e.g. weighted teddy or heavy ball, adds regulating proprioceptive input. 
  • You can use a stopwatch and have fun with time trials, going for a best score. Or seeing if your child can beat your score etc.  
  • To calm things down, you can suggest 'spy mode' where the child needs to do it slowly and quietly so they don't 'get caught'.
  • Try co-op mode, where the child does the activity with you or a partner. They can either hold hands or if they don't like that then they could hold something like half a pool noodle or a hand towel so they are connected. The child and their partner need to communicate and work together to make it through. 
  • Hide items around the course that your child has to collect as they navigate through it. 


Other movement games with wool:

  • Use pegs to attach letters or numbers to the wool and ask your child to collect them in order whilst navigating the obstacle course.
  • Hang red or orange wool of differing lengths from the ceiling to create 'dripping lava', or green wool as 'toxic slime' or blue wool as 'dripping icicles' that freeze you. If you touch one you have to stay still for a number of seconds whilst you unfreeze or regenerate and take a deep breath.
  • Use green or yellow wool across the floor for a floor 'full of snakes'. The child has to jump and step across into the 'safe spots'. 


There will be other ideas too so have fun! But as well as having fun, it's only right that I point out some safety considerations!

Safety considerations: clearly children need to be supervised the whole time during this activity in case they get tangled. Have a pair of scissors on hand, just in case. Using wool is good as it can snap so it is safer than using a strong cord.

Let me know if you try it and if your child comes up with their own versions!

Hanna
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6 Mount Barnard View • Ulverston, Cumbria • LA12 9JX