5 Must-Do Activities For Kids With ADHD

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Finding the right activities for kids with ADHD can make a big difference in their lives. They often need a variety of engaging options to expend energy, learn to self-regulate, and build skills that will help them as they grow.

Don’t worry, finding ways to entertain and teach a child with ADHD is not as hard as it sounds. Today, I’m sharing ideas organized into five key areas that I believe can serve as pillars in their daily lives.

1. Spending Time Outdoors

Spending time outside is important for every child, but it is especially beneficial for kids with ADHD. “Green time” has been linked to lower anxiety and stress, as well as improved concentration.

Here are some ways to make outdoor time fun:

  • Scavenger hunts you can set up right in your backyard.

  • Nature walks with an objective, like spotting a certain number of birds or collecting leaves and rocks for crafts or scrapbooks.

  • Hideouts such as temporary forts made by draping sheets over chairs, or a tent, treehouse, or playhouse in the yard. Having a special outdoor spot encourages kids to head outside every day.

If you have older kids, I recently wrote an article about outdoor toys for teens that might tempt them away from their screens.

2. Exercising

Exercise is extremely helpful for kids with ADHD because it can boost brain chemicals and improve cognitive function. It may even help with sleep difficulties.

Try these fun ways to get your child moving:

  • Dancing, especially to their favorite songs, is easy and something you can do together.

  • Games like “Simon Says”, which combine movement with focus and listening skills.

  • Jump rope to build coordination and burn energy.

  • Martial arts, which provide consistent exercise and teach focus.

3. Making Cleaning Fun

I have written before about age-appropriate chores to teach kids important life skills. But for children with ADHD, learning to manage chores is even more important since executive dysfunction can be a challenge as they grow.

The key is making cleaning fun. For example, I played a game with my girls where we set a timer for thirty minutes and challenged ourselves to clean as much as possible. We pretended to be a professional cleaning service called “Clean, Check.” This turned chores into a fun activity instead of a boring one.

4. Being Creative

Many kids with ADHD are naturally creative, so encouraging that creativity is a wonderful way to engage them.

Some ideas include:

  • Finger painting for younger kids or regular painting for older ones.

  • Coloring and drawing.

  • Knitting, crocheting, or sewing.

  • Participating in theater or other performance arts.

  • Learning to cook.

  • Building things with hands or tools.

My girls especially loved inventing imaginary games and writing stories. That creative writing has continued into their adulthood.

5. Finding Strategies to Calm Themselves

Teaching self-regulation is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your child with ADHD.

Here are some proven methods:

  • Deep breathing exercises.

  • Providing sensory relief items such as comforting textures, fidget toys, or calming visuals.

  • Engaging in focused activities like puzzles or building blocks. 

Final Thoughts

I hope you found these activities helpful as you support your child with ADHD. Parenting a child with ADHD can be both amazing and exhausting, but finding what works for your family makes all the difference.

If you have other ideas that worked well for you, please share them in the comments!

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