• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy + Terms
  • Affiliates

The Chaos and the Clutter

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google Plus
  • RSS
  • Email
  • School at Home
  • Sensory
    • Sensory Processing Disorder
    • Awesome Sensory Play Activities
      • Sensory Bins
      • Sensory Bottles
      • Sensory Bags
  • Family Games
    • Minute to Win It Games
  • Special Needs Parenting
    • Childhood Anxiety
    • Reactive Attachment Disorder
    • Sensory Processing Disorder
  • Store
  • Course Login

The Waves of Grief in Special Needs Parenting

By Sharla Kostelyk

  • Total23.9K
  • Facebook22.6K
  • Twitter15
  • Pinterest1.3K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

There is a unique kind of grief that comes along with being the parent of a child with special needs. For me, the grief comes in waves, sometimes threatening to overtake me while at other times ebbing and allowing me the chance to breathe. The waves of grief that can come in parenting a child with special needs #parentingspecialneeds #parenting #specialneeds

Maybe you find yourself feeling this grief too. You may feel guilty for the conflicting feelings you have. I want you to know that it’s okay to grieve.

Before you had your child, you probably had an idea of what it would be like to watch them grow up. Maybe you imagined being at their baseball games cheering from the sidelines or pictured moments snuggled up on the couch together reading a favourite story. You may even have projected things far in advance such as their wedding day or high school graduation. No doubt you also imagined what you would be like as a parent and what you would teach your child.

The dreams you had and the vision in your mind of what your family would be like probably looked quite different from how the average day plays out in your home.

And while normally, I am here to give you tools to help you better meet your child’s needs or better understand them and I’m here to help you champion your child, today, I’m here to say that it’s okay to grieve for what you thought would be and isn’t.

Do any of these apply to you?

  • your child’s behaviours sometimes have you in tears
  • you question your ability to adequately meet their needs
  • you’ve received a diagnosis for your child
  • your child rejects you
  • you feel like your friends with “neuro-typical kids” just cannot understand
  • you feel isolated or alone
  • your home is more chaos than peace
  • you sometimes think about the dream you used to have for your child
  • you think about “before” your child’s illness or diagnosis and feel sadness

I need you to know that feeling these things does not make you a terrible parent. These feelings do not make you an awful person. It makes you human. It is normal to grieve the loss of something. Having a child who struggles is the loss of the dream of how you thought things would be. It’s okay to grieve that loss.

To be clear, grieving the child you thought you would have does not mean that you do not love the child that is.

Give yourself the time, space and care to be able to grieve what is a very real loss. That means allowing yourself to cry, talking to others who do understand (find those who have walked this road themselves), self-care, self-care, self-care, and possibly even going to therapy to help process and work through your emotions.

The grief doesn’t end. It comes in waves. Sometimes I’m fine for months, and then BAM, I’m a puddle of tears in the fetal position on my bathroom floor holding a chocolate bar!

Seeing my daughter grieving her hearing loss, my son not having friends to invite to his birthday party, even something like reading the posts of friends on Facebook can ignite my grief anew. The waves can build up over time or swell quickly spurred on by an event or milestone. 

I used to feel so guilty for these feelings. I felt like I had no right to be feeling sad myself when my child was the one being directly affected by their challenges.

But then I came to accept that it’s okay to acknowledge those feelings and to really feel them. It’s okay to admit that my dreams need to be different now. It’s okay to grieve.

Of course, it’s also important to push through and find those new dreams and new ways to create joy in your life and your child’s life. It’s about balance. You’re not going to be any good to anyone if you are crumpled on your bathroom floor clutching a chocolate bar every single day, but your family will survive if you go for a drive and have a good cry once in awhile.

If you’re looking for support or information, join me for a free 5 part email series, Little Hearts, Big Worries offering resources and hope for parents. 

You may also want to read:

Special Needs Mama, You Are Amazing!Encouragement for all the brave moms raising a child with special needs and fighting the good fight every day

12 Things That Special Needs Mom Needs from You 12 Things a Special Needs Mom Needs from you

Special Needs Parenting Resources 

  • Total23.9K
  • Facebook22.6K
  • Twitter15
  • Pinterest1.3K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Filed Under: Adoption, Special Needs Parenting

10 Tips to Prevent Sensory Overload in Children

By Sharla Kostelyk

  • Total288
  • Facebook161
  • Twitter5
  • Pinterest122
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Sensory overload can happen to all of us. In children who struggle with sensory issues, it can happen more frequently and more easily. It can also lead to sensory meltdowns. The key is to prevent sensory overload in children whenever possible.10 Tips to Prevent Sensory Overload in Children #sensory #spd #sensoryoverload #sensoryprocessingdisorder #specialneedsparentingEven if you don’t struggle with sensory issues yourself, I’m sure you can relate to the feeling of sensory overload. We’ve all been there. For some, it may be at a concert or crowded event. For others, it’s being in a gymnasium full of screeching preschoolers. Or perhaps for you, it’s public bathrooms or an amusement park. Myself, I find the swimming pool too loud.

The combination of the background noise in there, the smell of the chlorine, the sounds of the water from the fountain and waterslide, the jets in the hot tub, the laughter and screams of all the kids, the visual overload of so many people and so much movement…I find that I can only take so much before I need a break.

What causes sensory overload?

Our society is increasingly fast paced. In many cases, places are becoming louder, more crowded, and more visually stimulating. Add in advancing technology and it’s easy to see why sensory overload occurs.

Have you ever been somewhere and suddenly, you are acutely aware of the noise or smell? It’s possible that you may have been experiencing sensory overload.

Be on the lookout for signs of sensory overload in your child. If caught in time, sensory overload doesn’t have to lead to a sensory meltdown or a fight, flight, or freeze response.

Read about the Sensory Processing Overload Signs and print them as a reference here. This will allow you to recognize them in your child.

What triggers sensory overload?

Sensory overload can be triggered by a variety of things and for most, it is actually a combination of more than one source of sensory input that causes the overload.

Here are just some of the things that can trigger sensory overload:

Visual (sight):

  • bright lights or fluorescent lights
  • flashing lights
  • colours
  • decorative displays
  • busy decor
  • clutter
  • new places, people

Auditory (sound):

  • many people talking at once
  • music
  • background noise such as fans, air conditioners, birds chirping, or traffic sounds
  • loud noises such as alarms, sirens, screaming

Olfactory (smell):

  • strong food smells
  • new smells
  • cleaning agents
  • candles, air fresheners, or potpourri
  • perfume, cologne, scented lotions, or scented hair products

Gustatory (taste):

  • new flavours
  • strong tastes
  • flavours disliked

Tactile (touch):

  • new textures
  • clothing (new material or seams or tags)
  • being touched
  • touching an unusual or new object, person, or animal
  • rain or snow or wind

Vestibular and Proprioception:

  • movement such as the motion of a vehicle, rocking of a boat, swinging
  • being bumped in a crowd
  • spinning
  • having a heavy coat on or being confined in a car seat
  • change in air pressure
  • jumping

Interoception:

  • hunger or being too full
  • thirst
  • change in temperature
  • needing to go to the bathroom

Tips to Prevent Sensory Overload in Children:

  1. Keep your outings to a minimum for kids who are prone to sensory overload. Choose times and days when places will be less busy. Avoid crowds whenever possible. I know that not all errands can be avoided, but if your child is particularly sensitive, you may need to get groceries at times when you don’t have to bring your child with you.
  2. Minimize the amount of activities you register your child for. Reports show that over-scheduling your child can actually lead to an increase in anxiety. Swimming lessons, karate class, art class, school, soccer, drama club, and other sports and arts are all wonderful for kids, but pick and choose. Be sure to leave plenty of space for free time.
  3. Be aware of the environment and take steps to reduce sensory input. One example would be to have your child wear noise reducing headphones in places that are loud.
  4. Talk to your child’s school about removing unnecessary visual, auditory, and olfactory (smell) distractions from the classrooms and hallways. Schools are already full of noise and colour, but thee are some things that can be minimized.
  5. Smells are a sensory trigger for many kids (and adults). Don’t wear perfume or use scented lotions or hair products if you know your child is sensitive to them.
  6. Maintain as predictable a schedule as possible. Ensure your child is getting adequate water, nutritious meals and snacks, and a good amount of sleep.
  7. Allow extra time so that you aren’t rushing and so that you can allow for extra time for transitions.
  8. Provide sensory breaks at regular intervals during the day.
  9. Teach your child calming breathing techniques and have them practise them daily.
  10. Provide a quiet place your child can go to when they are feeling overwhelmed by their surroundings.

Check out these other helpful articles:

How to Stop Sensory Overload from Turning into a Sensory Meltdown Recognizing the Signs of Sensory Overload in Children Sensory Meltdown Tips from Moms Who’ve Been There 

  • Total288
  • Facebook161
  • Twitter5
  • Pinterest122
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Filed Under: Sensory, Special Needs Parenting

Create a Sensory Room on Any Budget in Any Space

By Sharla Kostelyk

  • Total6.8K
  • Facebook147
  • Twitter4
  • Pinterest6.7K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

I have been wanting to create a sensory room for years. There were a few things that held me back. I had looked into the cost of some of the sensory equipment used in other sensory spaces and knew I couldn’t afford that. I was also worried about where to put it. The image contains three images on top of each other with the words "create your own sensory room" on a white space under the first image. The top image shows white fibre optic lights hanging down over a brown bean bag chair. There are 3 children's books and a mermaid pillow on the bean bag chair. A mirror is seen in the background. In the second image, a blue and green lava lamp, a pink fibre optic display, a silver sound machine, and a glow in the dark wand sit on a white shelf. In the bottom image, a sensory wall with a variety of colours and textures is visible. The kids got older. I still saw the need for a sensory room. I knew that if I didn’t create one now, they would soon be grown. That prompted my decision to use a storage closet as the space. I began planning how I could make things myself instead of purchasing expensive equipment.

One day while at my daughter’s therapy appointment, we visited the sensory room there and I watched her mood transform. I knew we absolutely needed one at home. I had run out of excuses and knew it was time to just do it.

(photos courtesy of Shelley of STEAM Powered Family)

What are the benefits of a sensory room?

  • help a child feel safe
  • engage the senses and provide sensory input (sensory diet)
  • improve balance and coordination
  • work on fine and gross motor skills
  • support therapeutic treatment
  • better manage challenging behaviours
  • encourage exploration
  • increase sensory experiences and tolerance
  • build confidence
  • increased vocabulary and communication opportunities
  • improved caregiver relationship
  • reset mood
  • reduce stress

If you are worried that you don’t have enough room to make a sensory space, I’m going to tell you that it’s possible no matter how small your classroom or home is.

If you have no space at all to devote to a sensory area:

  • make a sensory board and store it under a couch, under a bed, or behind furniture to pull out when needed.
  • create a sensory box that is filled with fidgets and calm down tools.

If you have limited space to devote to a sensory area:

  • make a sensory corner in your classroom, playroom, child’s room, basement, or living room.
  • use a closet or storage room as the sensory room.
  • convert a shed or an area of the garage.

If your concern is more the cost, I have some awesome money saving tips for you.

I know that sensory rooms can cost thousands if the equipment is all purchased. For organizations who have those funds, that is a wonderful option. For the rest of us, there are ways to create a sensory room on a budget.

See a video tour of our sensory space:

What to include in your sensory room:

I took a look at the space that I had and took into consideration my kids’ needs and their individual sensory preferences and planned the room accordingly.

Sensory Wall

I knew that I wanted to include a sensory wall. It would be a place for them to explore different textures and colours and shapes. I had looked online and seen that sensory walls easily cost hundreds of dollars. Using a cork board and a bit of imagination, I was able to create ours for under $25 plus the cost of the cork board. 

Read the full instructions on how to make your own sensory wall and get a list of other texture ideas that you can use.

Calm Down Corner

The room at my daughter’s therapy includes a fibre optic curtain corner area that she loves. The problem was that when I looked up the cost, it was nearly a thousand dollars. Yikes! But I had a vision for a calm down corner that included fibre optic lights that changed colour with a remote so that each child could choose the colour they found most soothing.

The solution? We bought these fibre optic lights and then one of my sons drilled holes in a board. He attached that board to another board and then we strung the light strands through the holes and set the board on top of a shelf so that it hangs down over the corner of the room.

fibre optic lights curtainI placed a bean bag chair under the fibre optic light curtain and a mermaid pillow on top of the bean bag chair. I also have a few “brain friendly” books sitting there in case one of the kids wants to read while they are in the calm down corner. Strings of white fibre optic lights hang over a brown bean bag chair with a mermaid pillow. There is a purple throw carpet in the foreground.There is a long mirror across from that corner. This is for two reasons. The first is that the room used to be a storage closet so it’s very small and the mirror helps it feel bigger. The second is that kids can use the mirror to monitor their breathing and facial expressions which can help them to self-regulate.

Fidget Box

I’m so in love with the box I found to hold fidgets for the room. It has all kinds of encouraging phrases on it including “Just Breathe”, “Help Others”, and “Enjoy the Journey”. It’s so perfect for this.

The box contains all kinds of fidgets including pencil toppers, Chewelry, glow in the dark sticks, stress balls, slime, putty, and lots and lots of fidgets.

Pea Pod FidgetsPea Pod FidgetsPea Pod FidgetsCuberSpeed Rainbow Ball MagicCuberSpeed Rainbow Ball MagicCuberSpeed Rainbow Ball MagicPencil Topper FidgetsPencil Topper FidgetsPencil Topper FidgetsMeshballsMeshballsMeshballsMulti Fidget PackMulti Fidget PackMulti Fidget PackTANGLE Original Fidget ToyTANGLE Original Fidget ToyTANGLE Original Fidget ToyMarble Fidget ToysMarble Fidget ToysMarble Fidget ToysKoosh BallsKoosh BallsKoosh BallsMunchables Owl Chew NecklaceMunchables Owl Chew NecklaceMunchables Owl Chew NecklaceMunchables Unicorn PendantMunchables Unicorn PendantMunchables Unicorn PendantChew Sensory Teether NecklaceChew Sensory Teether NecklaceChew Sensory Teether NecklaceSquishy Stress Relief FidgetSquishy Stress Relief FidgetSquishy Stress Relief Fidget

Shelf of Sensory and Calm Down Tools

I used a shelf that was already in the room and set items on top for the kids to use as needed. This includes a sound machine, the remote control for the fibre optic curtain light, a lava lamp, fibre optic lamp, plasma nebula ball, light up wand with sensory ends, liquid motion timer, and felt board.

On the felt board, I put the words “In Through Your Nose Out Through Your Mouth” as a reminder for my kids to do their calm down breathing. Pink felt board with the words "In through your nose, out through your mouth" in white letters

Other Items in the Sensory Space:

Purple fuzzy throw rug – I bought it at WalMart.

Teal fuzzy large box with lid – This can double as a chair and it can hold books. I also put a few books on top that are designed to boost how kids see themselves.

Sensory Steppers – Kids can use these to touch, walk or stand on, or to sit on. They provide great sensory feedback.

Sensory Bin – I swap this out depending on what our current sensory bin is. You can see all our sensory bin examples here. You could also include sensory bottles or sensory bags.

Fiber Optic Curtain LightFiber Optic Curtain LightFiber Optic Curtain LightLavender Polka Dot Bean Bag ChairLavender Polka Dot Bean Bag ChairLavender Polka Dot Bean Bag ChairSensory StepperzSensory StepperzSensory StepperzLava LampLava LampLava LampPlasma BallPlasma BallPlasma BallFiber Optic LightFiber Optic LightFiber Optic LightLiquid Motion Bubble TimerLiquid Motion Bubble TimerLiquid Motion Bubble TimerPink Felt Letter BoardPink Felt Letter BoardPink Felt Letter BoardConair Sound Therapy MachineConair Sound Therapy MachineConair Sound Therapy MachineMermaid Sequin PillowMermaid Sequin PillowMermaid Sequin PillowLight Up WandLight Up WandLight Up Wand

Join me for a free 5 part email series Sensory Solutions and Activities that has helped thousands of people and get your Sensory System Behaviours Easy Reference Cards.

You might also like:

How to Create a Calm Down Kit for Your Child

How to Make a Sensory Wall

  • Total6.8K
  • Facebook147
  • Twitter4
  • Pinterest6.7K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Filed Under: Sensory, Special Needs Parenting

Social Emotional Developmental Milestones

a young boy wearing a white shirt with a yellow bow tie sitting at a colourful play table smiling at his grandpa.

By Sharla Kostelyk

  • Total384
  • Facebook115
  • Twitter20
  • Pinterest249
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Emotional regulation is many layered. One of the factors that comes into play is social emotional development. While this list is by no means comprehensive, I’ve put together some of the social emotional developmental milestones by age.

It is important to note that these ages are what is typical. They by no means apply to all children. Kids who are born prematurely, have early childhood trauma, are on the autism spectrum, or other special needs will be delayed in reaching these stages.

If you have a child with delays or special needs, ignore the ages in the list and instead look for the stage your child is currently at.

Social Emotional Developmental Milestones in Children #parentingtips #emotionalregulation #specialneeds #specialneedsparentingThe reason I share this list is to help parents and caregivers determine what stages are best for beginning to introduce emotional regulation strategies.

Keep in mind that all children are unique and may not reach milestones at the same time or even in the same order.

Social Emotional Developmental Milestones:

2 months old

  • smiling
  • looking at caregiver
  • crying to have needs met
  • sometimes self-soothing by sucking on their hands or fingers

4 months

  • smiling spontaneously
  • develops an awareness of their surroundings
  • playing
  • beginning to imitate facial expressions

6 months

  • crying, smiling, or laughing in response to your emotions
  • enjoys looking at their own face in a mirror
  • differentiates between strangers and familiar faces

9 months

  • showing stranger anxiety
  • begins showing a preference for toys or comfort objects
  • may cry when caregiver leaves room
  • learns the meaning of a few words

12 months

  • has favourite people among those known to them
  • enjoys simple games like peek-a-boo
  • may show fear in new situations
  • may demonstrate anxiety around unfamiliar people
  • imitates sounds or actions

18 months – 2 years

  • more frequent temper tantrums
  • asserts independence
  • may get upset when not the center of attention
  • may become frustrated trying to communicate
  • engages in simple pretend play, imitates what adults or other children do
  • engages in side by side (parallel) play with other kids
  • does not understand what others think or feel

3 – 4 years

  • beginning to express a wider range of emotion
  • may confuse reality and make believe
  • can be spontaneously kind and caring
  • play with other kids in what is called cooperative play
  • separates from caregiver more easily
  • uses words to communicate needs
  • begins to share toys
  • can sometimes work out small conflicts with other children
  • not usually able to articulate emotions with words
  • may still have tantrums, particularly because of changes in routine or not getting what they want

5 – 6 years

  • understand others’ feelings and can be sensitive towards them
  • more aware of following rules
  • more conversational and independent
  • enjoys cooperative play with other kids
  • becomes aware of their gender
  • may prefer to play with peers of the same sex as them
  • will test boundaries, but they are still eager to please adults and help out
  • begins to experience and understand embarrassment
  • understands the difference between reality and make believe

7 – 8 years

  • more aware of the perceptions of others
  • trying to fit in
  • expanding their vocabulary including their emotional vocabulary
  • begins to understand death
  • may complain about friendships and the reactions of other kids
  • desire to behave appropriately, but aren’t as attentive to directions
  • trying to express feelings with words, but may still resort to aggression or tantrums when upset
  • greater awareness of their surroundings

9 – 10 years

  • concerned about rules which can lead to bossiness
  • cooperative play in group games or group settings
  • uses problem solving, negotiating, and compromising skills with peers
  • begins narrowing their peer group down to a few close friends
  • sportsmanship emerges
  • may begin to withdraw from family time or conversations to develop their own identity
  • are affectionate, goofy (think fart jokes and burping contests!), and curious
  • can be seen as selfish, rude and contrary (this is a stage when a lot of parents will comment “where did my sweet Sally/Billy go?”
  • may change emotions quickly
  • can express subtle emotion

11 – 15 years

  • moods and emotions are impacted by hormones
  • can show empathy
  • developing leadership skills
  • more logical thinking
  • begins to handle emotions like fear, frustration, rejection, and loneliness
  • can be introspective and moody
  • needs more privacy
  • values the opinions of friends and others sometimes over those of family
  • may test out new ideas, values, fashion styles, speech patterns, and mannerisms while trying to find where they fit in
  • begins to develop personal values
  • learning to make appropriate decisions to resolve peer conflict
  • understanding of consequences to actions

16 – 18 years

  • striving for independence
  • may start emotionally distancing themselves from parents
  • can be impulsive, moody, or self-centered
  • may also begin to look at how they can positively impact the world
  • shows pride in success
  • perhaps interested in dating relationships
  • may want to spend a lot of time with friends

Knowing when certain social emotional developmental milestones can be expected will help you in knowing when to focus on teaching emotion words, emotional regulation strategies, and social skills.

It’s helpful to know what expectations are reasonable. The most important thing to keep in mind is that all children develop at their own pace. These are only guidelines.

You may also find these milestone lists helpful as well:

  • Fine Motor Developmental Milestones for Ages 0-6
  • Developmental Milestones Chart
  • Developmental Milestones Tips and Resources

You may also be interested in these articles:

Transition Strategies for Kids50 Simple Calm Down Strategies for Kids Activities to Teach Kids About Emotions 

  • Total384
  • Facebook115
  • Twitter20
  • Pinterest249
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Filed Under: Special Needs Parenting

Feelings Jenga Game

By Sharla Kostelyk

  • Total5.6K
  • Facebook142
  • Twitter13
  • Pinterest5.4K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Giving kids a vocabulary rich in emotion words is one of the best things you can do as a parent. This is particularly true if you are parenting kids who have experienced trauma, have anxiety or are on the autism spectrum. This Feelings Jenga Game is perfect for helping kids talk about their emotions and experiences, building their vocabulary of emotion words and improve their communication skills.

Feelings Jenga Game is perfect for therapists or parents working with kids on their emotions and expressing their experiences.

Feelings Games

I love finding ways to make teaching feelings fun. Presenting a therapeutic activity as a game is a great way to help your child feel relaxed. Being relaxed is an important element to learning.

It means your child can access all of their brain instead of being in their “lizard brain” which happens when they are feeling under stress or for any other reason are in fight, flight or freeze mode.

Therapy Jenga

One of my daughters played a version of this Jenga game in therapy. I knew we could easily make our own Jenga game to play at home too. We have since invented different versions of it.

Some of my kids have an easier time talking about their feelings and past experiences than others, so I have found ways to adapt it accordingly. The key is to make sure they feel comfortable and relaxed. This will ensure that any learning is effective. It will also make it more enjoyable for everyone.

How To Make A Feelings Jenga Game:

Things To Write On Jenga Blocks

To create this Feelings Jenga Game, you will need a Jenga game.  You can use a permanent marker to write feeling words on the side of the wood blocks in the game or I have created printable feeling words that can be cut out and attached to the Jenga blocks with double-sided tape or glue.

In the printables, I have also left some blank so that you can add in any other feelings words that you would like to specifically focus on.

Click on the link to download and print >>> Jenga Feeling Words

feelings jenga

How to Play Feelings Jenga:

Once the blocks have feeling words on them, set them up as you would in a regular Jenga game. There are two variations to the set up. You can face the words in so that you can’t see them or you can face the words out so that most of them will be visible during the game. For kids who are particularly apprehensive of not being able to see the words on the inside, you can have them do the set-up so that they know what even the few hidden words are.

First Way To Play Jenga

One way to play this Jenga game is to describe the feeling word that you pull out before placing it on top. This is a nice introductory way to play and especially good for kids who don’t have a strong emotion word vocabulary.

Second Way To Play Jenga

Another way to play Feelings Jenga is to have the person who draws the block to describe a time or experience in their life when they felt that particular emotion. You can expand on this by having them explain how they felt and how they coped with that positive or negative feeling.

For kids who are just starting this game or who are less comfortable talking about their feelings, it will be less difficult if the words are visible because then they can choose to pull feeling words that are easier for them to talk about.

As they grow more comfortable with the Feelings Jenga game and with expressing their emotions, they may reach a point where they are comfortable pulling out blocks even when they can’t see what the word will be. Let them set the pace.

If you know that this particular child is too vulnerable to be able to discuss certain emotions, it may be best to not include those words in the game the first few times you play. Ease into things at their pace.

This Jenga Feelings Game is perfect for helping kids talk about their emotions and experiences.

Feelings Jenga or Therapy Jenga allows children to express their experiences and feelings in a non-threatening way. Of course, modelling is another great thing about this game because it allows you to participate and model how to talk about feelings and talk about times in your own life when you have felt those emotions.

The child you are playing with may be able to relate to those experiences and have a “me too” moment, which can be very powerful.

This game is great for communication skills, lowering anxiety and normalizing talking about emotions and life experiences, both challenging and successful.

Looking for a way to help kids learn about and manage their emotions?

I’ve put together a complete emotional toolkit full of fun printable games and activities for parents and teachers to teach kids about their feelings and how to manage them.

Click on the link>>> Teaching Emotions Toolkit

Subscribe for your free printable Jenga feelings words and you’ll also be signed up for our free 5 day email series Little Hearts, Big Worries.

More ways to teach feelings:

  • The Kissing Hand Activities
  • Children’s Books About Emotions
  • Feeling Activities For Preschoolers
  • Free Printable Emotion Faces
  • How To Teach Kids Emotional Regulation
  • Total5.6K
  • Facebook142
  • Twitter13
  • Pinterest5.4K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Filed Under: Special Needs Parenting

Minute to Win It Games Christmas Edition

By Sharla Kostelyk

  • Total85.0K
  • Facebook101
  • Twitter5
  • Pinterest84.8K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

After the success of our original Minute to Win It family fun night and our Dollar Store Minute to Win It, I thought it would be fun to do a Christmas edition. I chose some Minute to Win It Christmas games. It was so much fun! Minute to Win It Christmas Games #minutetowinit #christmasgames #christmas #minutetowinitchristmas #familyfunWhether you’re planning a large holiday party or a small family gathering, these games will bring laughter and fun. (You can also check out our Thanksgiving Minute to Win It games for your Thanksgiving holiday gathering.)

I’ve purposely chosen games that share some of the same supplies. This helps keep it simple to plan and more affordable.

Most of the supplies needed can be purchased at the dollar store. You probably already have many of them in your home. Throw this together at the last minute and still manage to impress.

Use our Minute to Win It Christmas Edition printable decoration kit to make things even easier! 

Minute to Win It Christmas Games:

You can play these games individually or as teams. If you play as teams, be sure to come up with awesome team names to add to the fun!

I’ve added videos of most of the games below to give you a better idea of how to play them. My kids and our neighbour had so much fun trying out all the activities.

Face the Gingerbread Man:

Supplies needed:

  • small gingerbread men (at least one per person)

Begin with a gingerbread man on each person’s forehead. The players have one minute to get the cookie into their mouth using only their facial movements. Face the Gingerbread Man Minute to Win It Christmas gameThis is a great game to play in a large group. Everyone can play at the same time or you can play head to head.

Snowman Stack:

Supplies needed:

  • large marshmallows (6 for each player)

Each player has one minute to stack three marshmallows on top of each other twice to create two “snowmen” using only one hand.

This is an easy game to complete within the time allotted. I included it because it is nice to have a game that younger children can easily play.

If you’re playing these Minute to Win It Christmas games in teams, choose the youngest players to complete this challenge. Even toddlers should be able to do well at this.

If you are playing with only adults, you may want to skip this challenge or increase the difficulty by requiring players to stack the marshmallows using only their mouths.

Reindeer Nose Dive:

Supplies needed:

  • 1 inch red pompoms
  • ribbon
  • petroleum jelly

Tie a red pompom onto the end of a ribbon. Make one of these for each player. Place petroleum jelly on each player’s nose. Reindeer Nose Dive Minute to Win It Christmas GameThe player starts with the other end of the ribbon in their mouth. They then have one minute to attempt to swing the ribbon and land the pompom onto their nose and stick there. No hands are allowed to be used in this challenge.

Christmas Cliffhanger

Supplies needed:

  • ten Christmas cards

Place 10 Christmas cards in a row on a table close to the edge. You want to set them up so that they form a tent. Minute to Win It Christmas Cliffhanger gameBlow the cards gently to move them across the table. The goal is to have one card hang over the edge of the table without falling off. Each player has one minute and ten tries to reach the objective.

Candy Cane Catch

Supplies needed:

  • garland
  • candy canes

String garland up between two chairs with the seat facing out to create a clothesline-type effect. Give each player a handful (or small bowlful) of candy canes. Candy Cane Catch game Minute to Win ItHave the player stand on the chair and drop candy canes, attempting to have them hang on the garland. You can have another player on the opposite chair playing at the same time.

You can either give the point to the person who hangs a candy cane first or see who can hang the most in one minute.

Jingle Bell Clock

Supplies needed:

  • craft stick (wide or narrow depending on age and ability of players)
  • jingle bells (6-8 for each player)

Have each challenger place a craft stick in their mouth and line the jingle bells across the stick in one minute or less. Jingle Bell Clock Minute to Win It gameFor young children, use the wider craft sticks. To make it more challenging for adults, use regular sized popsicle sticks. You can also vary the size of the jingle bells to create more difficulty.

Snow Shovel

Supplies needed:

  • bowls
  • plastic spoons
  • 1 inch white pompoms or cotton balls

Give each player two bowls, one with fifteen white pompoms and a plastic spoon in it. Once the clock starts, the players have one minute to transfer the pompoms (snowballs) into the empty bowl using only their mouth and the plastic spoon. Snow Shovel Christmas Minute to Win It gameThis game is quite challenging, so for younger kids, start with less pompoms or cotton balls in their bowl.

Bobbing for Candy Canes

Supplies needed:

  • bowl
  • wrapped candy canes

Fill a bowl with wrapped candy canes for each player. Challengers place one candy cane in their mouth and attempt to hook the candy canes in the bowl and transfer them to the table. Bobbing for Candy Canes Minute to Win It gameThe goal of the game is to move 5 candy canes out of the bowl. The time to beat is one minute.

Peppermint Twist

Supplies needed:

  • uncooked spaghetti noodles (one per player)
  • Christmas Life Savers or similar peppermint candy (six per player)

Set out one piece of uncooked spaghetti per person. Place six holiday edition Life Savers or similar peppermint candy with a hole in the center on their side so that the hole is facing the contestant. Peppermint Twist Christmas Minute to Win It gameThe player must pick up all the candy using only the spaghetti noodle in their mouth. They must stack all six candies onto their noodle in under one minute.

Snowball Run

Supplies needed:

  • plastic spoons
  • 1 inch white pompoms or cotton balls
  • buckets or large bowls

Place two buckets or bowls at the far end of the room. Lay out white pompoms at the other side of the room and give participating players a plastic spoon. Snowball Run Minute to Win It Christmas GameThis game works with groups as a relay or with two players racing against each other. Each of the players places a white pompom (snowball) on a plastic spoon and races to place it in a bucket across the room. The player or team to fill the bucket with the most “snowballs” in one minute wins.

Good Things Come in Small Packages

Supplies needed:

  • Christmas wrapping paper
  • household items
  • oven mitts

Before the event, wrap some small boxes and cans with holiday wrapping paper. Have each player put on a pair of oven mitts. Good Things Come in Small Packages Minute to Win It Christmas gameSee how many gifts players can open in one minute while wearing oven mitts. This is quite a funny one to watch!

As you can see from the video, one of our daughters found the game too difficult and used her mouth to open “gifts”. In case it wasn’t clear in the instructions, using your teeth is not allowed!

White Christmas

Supplies needed:

  • toilet paper rolls

One person stands still while the other wraps them in toilet paper. This game is best player head to head against another two player team. White Christmas Minute to Win It gameThe team that completely uses their toilet paper first wins. It’s fun to see what method the teams come up with to do this quickly.

These Minute to Win It Christmas party games are great for office parties, family get togethers, holiday parties with friends, or even winter birthday parties.

You can easily adapt the games for all ages from preschoolers to grandparents.

Set the mood by having Christmas music playing in the background. Use holiday decor as your decorations. This means that the lights and tree that are already in the room are all you need!

Pop some popcorn, put out some drinks, set out a few appetizers, print out the game cards and party kit, and it’s time to play. I’m sure the whole family is going to love these Minute to Win It Christmas games!
Looking for more creative ideas for family fun or resources to help you connect with your child? Join our free 5 Days to Better Family Connection email series.

Check out our other Minute to Win It games and easy family games:

Minute to Win It Build Edition (contains bonus Christmas challenges)mother and daughter's hands play with building blocks

Minute to Win It Family Fun Night games 

Dollar Store Minute to Win It Dollar Store Minute to Win It party

The Flour Game 

The Bag Game 

For your Christmas gatherings, these Minute to Win It Christmas games work for all ages and group sizes. Start a new holiday tradition! #minutetowinit #christmasgames #familyfun

  • Total85.0K
  • Facebook101
  • Twitter5
  • Pinterest84.8K
  • Mix
  • Yummly0

Filed Under: Crafts and Activities, Family Games

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 164
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Categories

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2023 • The Chaos and the Clutter • Site Design by Jeni @ The Blog Maven

Return to top of page

Copyright © 2023 · Chaos and the Clutter 2.0 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in