Kids with ADHD have natural struggles when it comes to maintaining focus, feeling calm, and avoidingdisruptive behaviors. Kids who really fall into the “hyperactivity” category of ADHD often struggle to direct their energy towards something productive, further exacerbating feelings of restlessness and anxiety. As a parent, there are plenty of ways you can create some beneficial structure for your kids and to help them thrive. Here are some of the best activities for kids with ADHD that you can try.
Individual Sports
Physical activity is well-known to be one of the best things for everyone, especially for kids with ADHD. Physical activity helps boost the natural chemicals in the brain that balance mood, focus, and feelings of calm while also helping to regulate energy levels. Getting kids involved in team sports is one option, but many kids with ADHD can struggle with the necessary elements of teamwork along with some of the downtime that occurs during competitions. On the other hand, martial arts is a great individual sport that allows your child to fully concentrate on their own performance while getting great exercise. It’s also a sport that is easier to practice at home compared to other physical activities. Other great individual sports that are perfect for kids with ADHD include swimming, tennis, and wrestling.
Music
Learning a musical instrument takes some time and determination, but it can be a great way to help kids with ADHD focus. Many kids with ADHD greatly benefit from having a creative outlet they can turn to and playing music offers tons of possibilities for creativity. Collaborating with others also helps to build positive relationships. Music involves using multiple parts of the brain, helping to build coordination as well as focus and mental sharpness. Music is also naturally calming, so having your child learn an instrument can be very beneficial for naturally dealing with anxiety.
Art
Kids with ADHD often find it difficult to find the motivation to stay focused on something, making it even harder to develop concentration skills. Engaging in a creative art activity is a great way to promote creative thinking while building concentration skills. There are tons of benefits to making art that your kids with ADHD can gain, including opportunities for social interaction, feelings of calm, and improved mood. The best art activities for kids with ADHD are often simple and don’t require many materials or messiness, making it easy to integrate art projects into your schedule of activities.
When you are trying different activities for your kids with ADHD, be sure to encourage them to continue if they struggle, but don’t push anything too hard. After some trial and error, you will have discovered some great go-to activities to include in your routine schedule that will help your kids feel happier, healthier, and more relaxed.