10 Fun Activities to Reinforce ABA Skills at Home

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a cornerstone for many children with autism, helping them develop critical skills in communication, social interaction, and self-regulation. But here’s the thing: ABA therapy isn’t confined to the clinic. It’s most effective when reinforced at home.

 

That’s where you play a huge role as a parent or caregiver. You don’t need to set up structured “therapy sessions” at home to keep the learning going. Everyday activities can become learning opportunities when you know how to incorporate ABA principles. By weaving these skills into fun tasks, you help your child generalize what they’ve learned in therapy and apply it to different settings.

 

This blog will introduce you to 10 fun activities that integrate ABA strategies and allow your child to practice essential skills—all while keeping things light, playful, and engaging.

  • Simon Says

Skills Reinforced: Following Directions, Listening, Imitation

“Simon Says” is not just an old-school game; it’s a powerful tool for reinforcing listening and direction-following skills, which are crucial in ABA therapy. By asking your child to imitate specific actions (like “Simon says touch your toes”), you’re helping them practice gross motor imitation while following verbal instructions.

 

To up the ante, throw in commands without the “Simon says” prompt to see if your child catches the difference. This game also requires children working on attention skills to stay focused.

  • Picture Matching

Skills Reinforced: Visual Discrimination, Categorization, Attention to Detail

Matching games are an excellent way to reinforce visual discrimination skills, a cognitive ability that helps children differentiate between objects. You can use store-bought cards or create your own using pictures cut from magazines or printed online. Ask your child to match objects by color, shape, or category (e.g., animals, foods, vehicles).

 

This activity also builds their ability to focus, as they must carefully observe the details of each picture or item to make the right match.

  • Story Time and Role-Play

Skills Reinforced: Language, Social Skills, Imagination

Reading together is a fantastic way to improve language skills, especially when you involve your child by asking questions and discussing the story. But you can take it one step further by introducing role-play after reading. Act out parts of the story, switching roles with your child to practice conversation skills, turn-taking, and emotional understanding.

 

For instance, if you’re reading a book about a child at the playground, you could ask, “What do you think happens next?” or “Why do you think the character is sad?” Role-playing the scenario helps your child apply social skills in a safe and fun way.

  • Sorting Objects

Skills Reinforced: Categorization, Focus, Problem-Solving

Sorting objects is a simple yet highly effective way to improve cognitive skills. You can use just about anything—buttons, toy cars, or even laundry. Ask your child to sort items by color, size, or function. For example, you could have them sort blocks into “big” and “small” piles or group clothes by color while doing laundry.

 

This activity builds attention to detail and problem-solving skills, as your child must make decisions based on the attributes of the objects. S “rti” g als” help” develops fine motor skills when handling smaller objects.

  • Follow-the-Leader

Skills Reinforced: Imitation, Gross Motor Skills, Social Interaction

Follow-the-leader is a great way to improve motor imitation and social interaction. Take turns as the leader and encourage your child to copy your actions, whether hopping, clapping, or spinning in circles.

 

This game builds gross motor skills and helps children practice paying attention to someone else’s behavior and responding appropriately. It’s a perfect way to help kids engage with others in a structured yet playful environment.

  • Scavenger Hunt

Skills Reinforced: Problem-Solving, Focus, Listening

Scavenger hunts are a fantastic way to engage your child’s attention and build problem-solving skills. You can create a list of household items for them to find or hide objects around the house and give clues to each location.

For example, you could say, “Find something that you can wear on your feet,” or “Look for something red and soft.” As your child hunts for these items, they practice following instructions and solving simple problems.

  • Puzzles

Skills Reinforced: Focus, Patience, Fine Motor Skills

Puzzles are an excellent tool for teaching patience and attention to detail. Start with simple puzzles with large pieces, then gradually move to more complex puzzles as your child’s skills improve. Each time your child successfully fits a piece into place, they reinforce their problem-solving skills and” gain a sense of accomplishment.

  • Play-Dough Creations

Skills Reinforced: Creativity, Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Exploration

Play-dough is a fun, hands-on activity that helps improve fine motor skills and encourages creativity. Ask your child to create shapes, animals, or letters using play-dough. Can you challenge them like children make a snake or a tower?”

 

This sensory activity benefits those who benefit from tactile experiences and provides opportunities to practice following multi-step directions.

  • Obstacle Course

Skills Reinforced: Gross Motor Skills, Problem Solving, Following Directions

Create an obstacle course using items around the house, such as pillows, chairs, or jump ropes. Have your child navigate the course by crawling, jumping, or balancing. This activity helps develop their motor skills and “teaches them how to follow instructions sequentially.”

 

You can also introduce problem-solving elements, like asking them how to get from one end of the course to the other without touching certain obstacles.

  • Dance Party

Skills Reinforced: Motor Coordination, Imitation, Self-Expression

Music and dance are beautiful ways to build motor coordination while allowing your child to express themselves creatively. Turn on their favorite tunes and dance together! You can make it into a fun imitation game by asking your child to copy your dance moves or by introducing a simple rhythm to follow.

 

ABA therapy is most effective when it’s reinforced consistently, and the best way to do that at home is by incorporating these skills into everyday activities. By making learning fun and engaging, you not only help your child retain the skills they’re working on but also foster a positive and encouraging environment for growth.

 

For more personalized support, Brighter Tomorrow Behavioral Services offers tailored, in-home ABA therapy services. Contact us today to learn how we can help your child reach their full potential!