Blowing Games for Kids

While researching kids activities I came across ”blowing games”, at first I thought it was a misprint and was supposed to read bowling games.  But then I got to thinking about how much fun blowing games could actually be and how they would benefit kids with limited abilities.

Many kids who use wheelchairs for mobility, especially those who are quadriplegics,  have limited use of their arms and hands. But blowing games do not require either of those.  Plus, blowing activities may maintain or improve their respiratory function.  That being said, here are some ideas for blowing games:

• Put a tub full of soap and water on the table in front of them, or on the tray of their standing frame.  Have them use a long straw to blow a bunch of bubbles.  Add food coloring, and a few floating toys like rubber ducks or plastic boats, for variety.
• Grab a glass of milk and have them blow bubbles in that.  Make sure it is a tall, wide glass that won’t tip as easily and don’t fill it completely full.  A bonus is that you don’t have to worry if they sneak a drink.  Also try using a twirly straw, kids love to watch liquid go through those.
• Find different sized colorful pinwheels and have your child blow to make them spin.  They will enjoy watching the colors as they spin faster.  Get a group of kids together in school and see who can make their pinwheel spin the fastest or longest!
• Make a simple obstacle course in a box of bin.  See if your child can use a straw to guide a ping pong ball through the course.  Or make a game field with goals and have two kids (one on each side) try to blow the ball into the other child’s goal.
• Find a few different sized bottles.  Have the kids blow over the top of each of them and listen to the different sounds each one makes.  Create a song along with other kids playing drums, triangles or other instruments and have everyone in the class sing along.

There are many possibilities if you think about it.  What a fun way to get in some respiratory therapy!  Remember,  standing facilitates respiration by allowing lungs to completely expand.  So be sure to try some of these activities while using a stander.

Have you every tried blowing games with your child at home or in your classroom at school? Do you have any games to add to this list?

Photo credit: katerha