Getting outside can be a great way for your child to move, explore, and enjoy the world around them - especially when the weather is nice!
Outdoor play can support sensory regulation, social skills, and overall well-being for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But we know that planning outings isn’t always easy. New places, unpredictable environments, and sensory overload can make outdoor time feel overwhelming—for both you and your child.
These tips and ideas will help you make outdoor play more enjoyable, more comfortable, and more successful for your whole family.
Autism And The Outdoors
For children with autism, outdoor activities might look a little different — and that’s okay. With a few adjustments, outdoor time can still be fun, meaningful, and rewarding for your child.
Read or Download our Resource: The Impact of Nature [English | Spanish]
Outdoor Play For Autism: Activity Ideas!
When planning outdoor activities, the key is to follow your child’s lead. If something brings them joy or helps them feel calm and confident, that’s a win. Outdoor play doesn’t have to be busy or structured to be beneficial (though it can be!). Some great options include:
- Chalk drawing on the sidewalk can be a fun way for your child to express themselves, without any pressure.
- Sandbox play is great for digging, scooping, and calming sensory input.
- Water play (whether with a sprinkler, water table, or just a bucket) can be soothing and engaging.
- A nature scavenger hunt is another great option! You can keep it simple with pictures of leaves, birds, or rocks to look for.
- Even a quiet walk can be meaningful—try pointing out sounds like birds or rustling leaves to turn it into a listening activity.
- Blowing or chasing bubbles is another classic that many kids love.
Remember to let your child know what to expect ahead of time: where you're going, what you'll do, and how long you'll stay. Make sure to build in regular breaks for water, bathroom needs and reapplying sunscreen. These small steps can help your child feel more secure and comfortable during outings.
Sensory Outdoor Equipment For Autism
Some kids with autism need a little extra support to feel comfortable and regulated outside. The outdoors is full of sounds, textures, and movement, which can be exciting for some children but overwhelming for others. That’s where sensory-friendly equipment can help! With the proper support, kids can explore their environment and have fun at their own pace while having their sensory needs met.
The right tools will depend on your child’s needs and preferences, but some items that can help include:
- Shaded tents or pop-up canopies offer a quiet retreat when your child needs a break from bright sunlight or too much activity.
- Noise-reducing headphones can help block out overwhelming sounds like traffic, barking dogs, or loud lawn equipment.
- Sunglasses or wide-brimmed hats are great for reducing visual input
- A soft place to land (like a crash pad or large bean bag) can offer comfort when your child needs to pause and regulate.
- Don’t forget to bring along favorite comfort items, like a chewable necklace, a fidget, or a preferred stuffed toy.
The goal isn’t to avoid sensory input completely; It’s to give your child the tools they need to manage it in a way that feels good. If your outdoor activity includes water play, make sure to review these additional tips.
Benefits of Being Outdoors
Research has shown that connecting with nature leads to increases in a child's psychological, social, and physical well-being. Studies have found that spending time with nature can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and anger.
Similar results have been found for children with autism! Research shows that exposure to nature also provides motor, sensory, emotional and social benefits for children with autism. Spending time outdoors can also lead to increased physical activity, which is great for a child's overall health!
Planning Successful Outdoor Experiences
Sometimes there are barriers to getting your child outside. They may struggle to come back inside when it's time to go home or they may leave your side. Here are some things to make outside time more successful.
Start small. Shorten outside trips and consider staying closer to home. Start in a place where both you and your child are comfortable! If your child likes the rain, consider putting on rain boots to jump in puddles outside of your home.
Let them experience nature in their own way. This can help your child be motivated to experience nature again in the future!
As you plan your experiences, consider:
- Being realistic. You may not be able to do an all-day outing at first - that's ok. Change your expectations as your child's successful outdoor time increases.
- Preparing for difficult times. If your child elopes, make a plan of action so you know what to do if elopement happens. If your child's attention span is limited, pack additional outdoor friendly activities to keep nature time going!
- Talking to your BCBA. Your BCBA can help you come up with outdoor activities for your child that are fun, safe and low-stress for the caregiver!
Need Help Getting Outside?
ABA therapy can help make outdoor time easier and more enjoyable for both you and your child. Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) work directly with families to understand each child’s unique needs and create personalized strategies.
At Behavioral Framework, we can help your child build communication skills to express wants and needs during outings, teach self-regulation tools to cope with overwhelming environments, and create step-by-step plans to gradually increase comfort with outdoor settings. We work with families in DC, Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.
Our BCBAs and Behavior Technicians also support parents by offering tools and guidance on how to prepare for outings, introduce structure and predictability, manage transitions, and reinforce safety skills like staying close or asking for help.
Want help building a plan that works for your child? Learn more about how ABA therapy can support your family’s journey—indoors and out.