25 Activities for Children With ADHD:

1. Create a Calendar: Make a schedule together for the family, such as a weekly or monthly calendar of events. Decorate it using markers, stickers, or crayons. Set time aside each day where you review what you will do that day or the next day together, and cross off days that are over if you wish. This activity allows for some creativity, as well as helps with organization.

2. Build Something: Whether you use clay, blocks, or even cardboard boxes out of your pantry cabinet, many kids with ADHD enjoy building things. It is very rewarding to see something go from start to finish. Try to choose something the child is interested in – for example a child that really likes birds would enjoy building a bird house, a child that is into Star Wars might like to build a model spacecraft. Choose age appropriate activities – a 5 year old would love building a fort out of cardboard boxes – a 12 year old may prefer building a model car or something out of a kit. Also keep in mind your child may be better off with something that can be done in 30 minutes as opposed to three hours. This activity helps with both self esteem and focusing to see a task to completion.

3. Make Music: It doesn’t matter if you have any talent, music can be a great way for kids to express themselves. Make your own instruments such as shakers or use pots and pans for drums, or see if you can find something such as a harmonica or kazoo. Older children may enjoy playing piano or guitar, or you can encourage them to write a song and sing. This activity allows for creativity, expression, and just some plain old fun!

4. Exercise: Kids who are hyperactive have a hard time sitting still for any activity – so an activity that gets them moving will help them feel great about moving around. You can jog, do aerobics, take a bike ride, or go swimming. (Swimming is probably one of our favorite, as it really tires them out since many will enjoy swimming for hours!)

5. Touch Stuff: Many children with ADHD have the need to impulsively touch stuff, which in many situations can lead to frustration when they can’t or shouldn’t. Create an activity where they can touch things and describe how the object feels, or take them to a children museum that has a lot of interactive displays. This helps with sensory recognition.

6. Cook Something: Most kids love helping out to cook something, especially when it is one of their favorite foods. Whether you’re making jello, fruit salad, or lasagna, kids can help prepare and measure out the ingredients, place them in the bowl, and make something they can eat afterward. Make sure you do one step at a time. This activity helps with following directions and seeing something through from start to finish.

7. Take a Nature Walk: Going outdoors for a nature walk is a peaceful and yet stimulating adventure. You are constantly moving while hiking, which greatly helps with using up all of that energy – and you can also take some time looking at all the distractions and enjoying them, such as birds chirping or different plants and flowers you see.

8. Make a Book: This activity helps with both writing skills and study skills, but is fun enough that it allows for a lot of expression of creativity. Use a blank journal or staple several sheets of paper together. Choose a theme for the book, for example “My Favorite Things”. Have the child work on one page a day unless they are really interested in it, then they can do it all in one sitting if they want. You can draw, collage, scrapbook, etc. etc.

9. Plant a Garden: Many kids with ADHD love gardening and it is a fun activity for parents to do with them. Even those who do not have a yard suitable for a garden can grow smaller plants in containers indoors. Let them get as messy as they need to get, but also make sure they clean up. Remembering to water the garden and check on it will help them build responsibility.

10. Sort it Out: Organization for many children is a problem area, so any activity that involves sorting things or pattern building will help them with sorting and organizing, as well as feed their ability for problem solving. You can sort out toys they no longer play with, color coordinate their belongings, or sort through a large box of buttons.

11. Play Concentration: Concentration, also known commercially as the game Memory is a game where cards are flipped over and you have to find the matching pair taking turns by flipping only two cards over at a time. The game is fast enough paced if played with only 2-3 players and will help your child focus on remembering where the cards are to gain matches.

12. Keep a Journal: Many kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have a hard time expressing their feelings or remembering what they did from one day to the next. Make it a point for each day or a few times a week to write something down in a journal about what they did and how it made them feel.

13. Simon Says: This is a better game played with several children, but it can be done with just two people, especially if you take turns being “Simon”. Never played it before? You can find the directions here. This activity builds listening skills.

14. Deep Breathing Exercises: This activity will help learning how to calm down and relax as well as deal with anger or frustration. Practice taking deep breaths together, and then as you take deep breaths also move a part of your body. For example, you can take a deep breath while you wiggle your toes, then while you bend your knees, then while you bend your elbows, etc. etc. You can also teach your child to recognize when they are angry if their fists are clenched for example and to breathe deeply in those situations.

15. Spa Day: Learning to relax and be calm is very important. Take some time for spa like treatment with massage, bubble baths, soaking your feet or other spa activities, even if it’s just done at home.

16. Treasure Hunt: This is an activity that will help build focus as well as pay attention to detail. Depending on the age of your child, you can do very basic by hiding different objects in a room for them to find, much like an Easter egg hunt. For older children, you could give them clues that lead to other clues that take them to the treasure. (Though for older children, you probably won’t want to call it a treasure hunt – just tell them you have a surprise for them!)

17. Put on a Show: Many children struggle with emotional feelings, either learning how to appropriately express them or how to react in certain situations. You can incorporate teaching these things to your children by putting on a show and placing the characters into a situation where they might feel angry, sad, or frustrated. Younger children might enjoy a puppet show, older children might like the idea of getting in front a video camera and making a video. This is an activity that allows for creative freedom while also teaching important skills to handle and deal with feelings.

18. Label It:Organization is a common struggle between parents and kids of adhd. If you have access to a label maker (such as this very inexpensive Brother P-touch Electronic Labeling System), it can be fun for them to type in words and then see the machine make the label. They can label what goes inside drawers or where to store their toys and coats for example.

19. Make Signs: Many children with ADHD need prompts to remind them what to do or struggle with impulse control. A fun activity is to make signs together that remind them to do certain things. For example, you might make a sign that says “Please remember to close the door!” Younger children may benefit from drawing pictures if they are unable to read and write yet. You can also post signs around the house that enforce other rules of the home. Some children may have fun with road signs and symbols, such as a stop sign or yield sign.

20. Stop and Go: For children who struggle with impulse control, this can be another beneficial activity. You can do it with many different variations, but basically you will do an activity where you will make them stop in the middle of it and praise them for good stopping. For example, you may have them jump in place or dance in a very silly manner and then shout “stop!” or “freeze!” With older children, you can also do this with a story you are familiar with and when the character is about to make a decision or do something you can say freeze and then ask the child what they think the character should do.

21. Go Cloud Watching or Star Gazing: Cloud watching can be a fun way to be imaginative as well as let their creativity show through. You can also use the exercise for developing emotional feelings or relaxation techniques as well. Older children may enjoy watching stars through a telescope.

22. Take Pictures: A disposable camera or a very sturdy inexpensive indestructible digital camera can be a fun way for your child to capture the different moments and activities of the day. You can choose a certain theme (ie: photographing flowers, animals, toys) or you can have them take pictures of people. The pictures can then be collected in a scrapbook or taped to a poster to display for your child to talk about.

23. Make a Fidget: A “fidget” is anything that your child can hold onto or play with during a time when they might need to sit still or be quiet. Examples include a beaded bracelet they can wear and play with or filling a balloon with flour to create a stress ball. This will give them something that helps them to stay calm in situations where they need to wait or sit quietly.

24. Ask for Directions: Ask your child to give you directions for something. It can be as simple as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or something else you know they can tell you how to do. It is likely your child would say something like “Put the peanut butter on the bread.” Follow the directions quite literally – meaning you’d put the jar of peanut butter on top of the bread before it is even out of the bag. This will help them stop and think of the different steps, such as take the bread out of the bag, then open the jar of peanut butter, etc. It will likely get a few laughs out of your child, but also teach them the importance of slowing down and explaining things one step at a time.

25. Make a Conversation Jar: Either type up or write some good conversation starting questions onto a piece of paper and then cut them up into small strips which you can place in a jar, basket, or other suitable container. Example conversation starters include “I feel happy when I _____.” or “My favorite place to eat is ______.” or “I feel proud when I can ______.” You can choose to do this once a week and make sure everyone in the family takes turn answering questions. This will give you and your child an opportunity to talk about things and can help them feel good about themselves.

The possibilities and variations for these activities are endless, and can certainly be modified for being appropriate for your child’s interests as well as their age level. Do you have any ideas for activities for children with ADHD? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section below!

Most toddlers will love doing things such as jumping on furniture or have trouble sitting still in one spot for very long. This does not usually mean that they have ADHD, and most health professionals will not give an ADHD diagnosis until the child is at least three years old, many waiting even longer. However, it is important to learn how to help a hyperactive toddler, especially because their behavior could potentially lead to injury. Early hyperactivity may also be a signal that your child could possibly show other symptoms of ADHD as they grow older that you would want to be on the look out for.

There are two key factors to remember about toddlers: they like attention, and they like to test their boundaries. Keeping those two things in mind, there are some powerful discipline techniques that may work in helping them become calmer.

Here are some things parents can do for a hyperactive toddler:

1. Avoid Negative Attention: This is the hardest thing to do, but it is also the most important. Many kids do not distinguish between positive and negative attention. You screaming “No! Stop Right this instant!” is effectively the same to them as “Great Job Kiddo!” It sounds strange, but to a young child, any attention from their parents is what they are looking for. With the exception of behaviors that are dangerous (IE: Jumping on the bed), it is best to ignore the behavior or it will become a game to them.

2. Praise Good Behavior: Anytime your child is being calm, non-aggressive, or waiting patiently be sure to praise them. Actions often speak louder than words, so a hug, kiss, or clapping hands may be more effective than telling a kid who may not have fully developed speaking skills “Good girl!”

3. Turn Off the TV: It’s best to keep television watching to a minimum, since children are often over stimulated by it or will grow restless after watching too much. While a 30 minute TV show once a day is a nice way to keep kids occupied while you rest or do another activity, you do not want to let them watch it more than that or have it on in the background while they are playing.

4. Exercise Your Kids: Many young children do not have enough outlets for burning off their energy which can cause them to be a little more hyperactive than you’d like! Make sure that everyday they have at least 30 minutes of time to burn that energy off. You can do exercises, race them in a big field, take them to the playground, or go swimming. Not only will this help them start early for having good physical fitness habits, but it will also help them productively use their energy.

5. Watch What They Eat: A balanced diet is important to kids growing up healthy. Often times, in both toddlers and adults, we do not eat healthy foods and will often get stuck in a cycle of sugar and carbs that causes spikes in our blood sugar. This can cause extreme hyperactivity or it can cause your kids to pass out, sometimes a cycle of both. Limit sugar intake, serve your children whole grains, and make sure their diet includes plenty of protein and vegetables as well. You can learn more about the daily food recommendation guidelines for toddlers, as well as yourself, by visiting mypyramid.gov.

6. Set Up a Routine: Setting up a routine is a lifesaver for many parents, as it helps their kids get on a set schedule. The typical toddler day doesn’t need to be planned from one minute to the next, but it will help immensely if you have clear routines in waking up and getting breakfast, when you play, when you have nap time, and other activities.

7. Keep Them Occupied: Boredom for many children often means they will get into trouble. Have activities planned that are suitable for their age level that gives them your positive attention, such as reading stories or playing imaginatively. When you will be doing things such as housework or other things where you can’t give them the one on one attention, have other things they can safely do. For example, if you are cooking dinner, you could give them some pots and pans and ask them to make up a song for you. You should also encourage your toddler to play on his or her own, doing things such as puzzles or building with blocks which may help give you some extra breathing time.

8. Be Consistent With Discipline: Discipline is very difficult for many parents, because it often needs to be consistent in order for it to work. It is best to do the ignoring of negative behavior and praise of good behavior, but there will be times when discipline is necessary, for example if the child hits or bites someone else. In those instances, time out is the best discipline. It should be done without fanfare or making a lot of commotion or even explaining to the child why they did was bad. Just pick them up and say for example “You hit your sister, time out” and then place them in a designated chair. Always use the same chair each and every time, which should ideally be a hard chair such as a kitchen seat and in a boring place. One minute per age of child is typically deemed appropriate. You may need to continuously place your child back in time out if he or she is resistant until the minutes are up.

Fortunately for most parents, a hyperactive toddler is not always something to be concerned about. If you are willing and able to do the above things for several weeks it is likely you will see a positive improvement in your child’s behavior gradually. If you are doing all of the above things and not seeing any improvement, or are concerned about your child’s hyperactivity, speaking to his or her pediatrician is a great place to start to find out what is considered normal child behavior for his or her age level, as well as what resources are available to parents for discipline support.

Have any thoughts on what parents should do if they need hyperactive toddler help? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

But when attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is properly diagnosed, for many parents choosing to medicate your child may be the best solution in conjunction with behavioral therapy. Most professionals, despite what the media would make you think, do not automatically prescribe Ritalin or Concerta just because parents can’t stand their child’s behavior anymore. Usually it is only after an extended period of time with behavioral therapy proves ineffective and other alternatives do not provide relief do physicians then suggest the possibility of using pharmaceuticals.

It is important for parents and children to realize that ADD is not just a label for poor behavior. While it may seem unfair to view it as a disability, realizing that it is a medical condition equivalent to other manageable diseases and conditions such as diabetes that need constant monitoring and controlling can help you understand why using medicines may be eventually the only option that can actually result in great improvement.

Much of the concern of using medications for ADHD stems from the potential side effects, which are often loss of appetite, insomnia, lethargy from too high of a dose, and other potential problems resulting from family genetics and history of other diseases. Most physicians will require a full report of family history as well as do a thorough physical exam before prescribing ADHD medication treatment. For example, if there is a history of heart disease or sudden unexplained deaths in a family, most doctors will require testing such as an EKG and a full cardiology exam before writing the prescription to ensure that the child’s genetic disposition does not put him or her at an increased risk for using drug treatments.

All pharmaceutical drugs pose a risk to all people, regardless of age, gender, race, or family health history. Often times an underlying and undiagnosed condition are the culprit in severe side effects or complications associated with using drugs to treat the disorder. If ADHD medication side effects are a primary concern for you, your doctor should be willing to discuss the potential risks with you openly. It is then necessary for you to decide if the potential risks outweigh the possible benefits and vice versa. For example, if your child’s diagnosis is something that makes him or her do dangerous things that may cause injury to oneself or others, it is likely the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. It may also be necessary in cases where daily life has become so unbearable that both the parents and the child can no longer cope or function with other tasks. When all other possibilities for treatment have been exhausted, it is likely that prescription drugs may be able to provide a huge relief for both parents and child.

Finding the proper treatment and dosage is usually the most difficult part for parents and physicians to determine. Most doctors will begin at the lowest possible dosage and then monitor the child’s changes in behavior and progress in order to determine if the right treatment has been selected, or if a higher dosage may result in a much better outcome. There are many different types of brand names for the different prescriptions available, the most commonly known one being Ritalin. Concerta over the past few years has become more popular, and there are also other types as well. Almost all of the different drugs are some type of form of the stimulant Methylphenidate. While Ritalin is the one with the most bad press, it is also the oldest one that has been in use, which makes many doctors feel most comfortable with it because it has been studied for a long period of time (several decades) and is considered to be one of the safer ones.

However, one of the problems with Ritalin is that it is not long lasting. Most dosages may wear off after only 4 to 6 hours, which is barely enough to cover a school day, let alone make it through homework time or other activities. Because of this shortcoming, there are now several extended release formulas available which generally last 12 hours or so, depending on the child’s reaction to the product.

Your doctor should be able to provide you with adhd medication comparisons to help you determine the best treatment options for your child. Since medication legislation, dosages available, new brands and developments, and other important information often frequently change, rather than list all of the possible drugs here for you to compare and decide, we feel that it is best for you to speak about it with your doctor, who should have a list available for you to look at for weighing the pros and the cons.

A well qualified and experienced physician/child psychiatrist will be able to tell you from personal experience as well as the latest news releases and information updates which medications for ADHD are considered to be the most beneficial and pose the least amount of risk for side effects complications to your child. Remember that everyone’s personal health history and situation is different, which is why you will much likely be at more benefit to speak with your doctor than rely on information you read on websites.

Having open communication with your child’s doctor will greatly help clear up any confusion you have, as well as address your fears, hopes, and concerns. Your child’s physicians should be seen as your biggest assets and allies in controlling, managing, and effectively living with ADHD, as they are able to assess the situation objectively and suggest the best possible solutions.