Topic: Leisure and Crafts

This is the gift that keeps on giving!  Create a beautifully decorated container and gift tag using only a paper bag, colored card stock and ribbon. Fill with “get well kit” or “holiday” gift sale items.

Are you looking for activity ideas that are user-friendly for staff and also creative, appropriate, and functional for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? YAI’s “How To” series of activity “recipes”  promote social interaction and cognitive development.

In “Making Dog Biscuits,” step-by-step instructions explain how to make this healthy canine snack. Consumers love making these at YAI and then bringing them to a local animal shelter.

Everyone feels empowered when they can give to others. People with developmental disabilities are no exception.  Donate these great little “Pots of Gold” to Meals on Wheels as tray favors or to senior centers as table decor.
With these easy-to-follow directions, you’ll want to make several to enjoy at your program!

Design this lovely gift package using card stock, stickers and paper or fabric scraps.  Perfect for packaging handmade gifts for a gift sale, or as a festive donation to a senior center.

This is a craft project that anyone can make and every design is a winner. The instructions include simple methods for creating a myriad of patterns using rubber bands and pennies. 

Make them for holiday gifts or as a great donation to hospitals, nursing homes, and children’s programs!

People with developmental disabilities can enjoy the accomplishment of cooking a meal. For many people with ID/DD, following a typical recipe is not an option. 

How do we help them learn how to make recipes as independently as possible?

Step-by-step photo recipes are the answer! Download and start cooking!

This written recipe for a very festive fudge is fun to make and ambrosia for the senses.

Add another layer to the experience with the optional peanut butter glaze.

Are you looking for activity ideas that are user-friendly for staff and also creative, appropriate and functional for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? This craft project not only promotes social interaction and cognitive development, but also creates a great way to package your holiday gifts.
These Take-Out Gift Boxes could be used to benefit local causes to your community as a fund-raising sale items or as a donation to a senior center or nursing home and used as a centerpiece.
The step-by-step instructions explain how to make this creative holiday gift box. Your group will love creating these extra special boxes to hold their treasured items.

This photo recipe gives step-by-step pictorial and written directions for making a hearty taco salad. 

The recipe combines the flavor of traditional tacos with heart healthy ingredients. 

Fun and easy-to-make, delicious to eat!

People with developmental disabilities can enjoy the accomplishment of cooking a meal. For many people with ID/DD, following a typical recipe is not an option. 

How do we help them learn how to make recipes as independently as possible? Step-by-step photo recipes are the answer!

This photo recipe gives step-by-step pictorial and written directions for making this quick and easy meal using a packaged macaroni and cheese mix. This recipe is fun and easy-to-make, delicious to eat!

Are you looking for ways to bring some creativity to your program?  Would you like to teach others how to plan fun and engaging activities for people with ID? 

This lesson plan is a how-to guide for planning activities. It includes detailed project samples and planning guides for use with any group.

Recycle and make a beautiful craft project. Use these beautiful decorative bottles as centerpieces and tray favors for meals on wheels, nursing homes, and senior centers.

They also make great holiday gift sale items and gifts for loved ones. The bottles can be dressed up or down depending upon the skill level of the individual and the materials available.

Are you looking for a simple Valentine treat for friends or loved ones? This project for making “kiss” goody bags is super simple. 

Collect, wrap and just add one of the pretty gift cards included in the craft packet. 

Enjoy!

Participating in community volunteer work provides individuals with intellectual disabilities with a better understanding of the community, enhanced personal and social integration skills, and increased self-esteem.
For people with medical, behavioral or simply staffing issues, an in-house system for community caring can be therapeutic.

Katie Martin describes the key elements for organizing an in-house volunteer crafting center, including how to obtain funding for supplies, organizing the team, finding places to donate to and delivering the goods! 

These pork chops are rich in flavor but low in fat. 

This step-by-step, easy-to-make recipe is fun to cook, delicious to eat!

Individuals of all capabilities can participate in meaningful food preparation.  Using pictorial recipes, group participants learn about ingredients and tools used in preparing simple recipes and engage in tasks such as mixing, measuring, spreading and slicing. 

Recipes selected maximize opportunities for exploring the variety of sensory experiences associated with food preparation (appearance, smell, texture, taste, and temperature) as well as allow individuals to make choices according to personal preference. 

In addition to food preparation skills, participants practice table manners and have opportunity to engage in social interaction.

Individuals of all capabilities can participate in meaningful food preparation.  Using pictorial recipes, group participants learn about ingredients and tools used in preparing simple recipes and engage in tasks such as mixing, measuring, spreading and slicing. 

Recipes selected maximize opportunities for exploring the variety of sensory experiences associated with food preparation (appearance, smell, texture, taste, and temperature) as well as allow individuals to make choices according to personal preference. 

In addition to food preparation skills, participants practice table manners and have opportunity to engage in social interaction.

Jeff is a father of a young son with special needs.  He shares with us the challenges he faces as he prepares his son Alex for camp and family vacations, and offers some hints on how to make the process more manageable. 

This resource is not only wonderful for someone who is preparing to vacation or head out to camp, but it is also a great tool for providers to use with parents and care takers when discussing preparation for trips.

This easy to make tool is useful for all beading activities.  It allows the people you work with to independently check their work. 

Use this as a jumping off point for creating other self check tools!

Everyone feels empowered when they can give to others. People with developmental disabilities are no exception.  Put these beautiful bookmarks into a “Get Well Kit” to donate to a hospital or nursing home, or give them to a library for a children’s reading group.
With these easy-to-follow directions, you’ll want to make additional Charmed Book Marks to enjoy at your program!

Create, share, cheer! 

Make and donate these fun kits to a hospital ward for children. 

Download these easy-to-follow directions.

Individuals of all capabilities can participate in meaningful food preparation.  Using pictorial recipes, group participants learn about ingredients and tools used in preparing simple recipes and engage in tasks such as mixing, measuring, spreading and slicing. 

Recipes selected maximize opportunities for exploring the variety of sensory experiences associated with food preparation (appearance, smell, texture, taste, and temperature) as well as allow individuals to make choices according to personal preference. 

In addition to food preparation skills, participants practice table manners and have opportunity to engage in social interaction.

People with developmental disabilities can enjoy the accomplishment of cooking a meal. For many people with ID/DD, following a typical recipe is not an option. 

How do we help them learn how to make recipes as independently as possible? Step-by-step photo recipes are the answer!

This photo recipe gives step-by-step pictorial and written directions for making this quick and delicious snack. Substitute low fat cheese to make it heart healthy. Fun and easy-to-make, delicious to eat!

This festive Thanksgiving centerpiece repurposes a terra cotta pot in creative new ways. It makes a wonderful holiday donation to meals on wheels, senior centers, nursing homes, or children’s programs.

Download the easy-to-follow directions and start crafting!

Spring is here and nature is beckoning. So are these lovely planters. Combine the joy of making a craft with the pride of giving to others.

Use these pretty little pots as a donation to meals on wheels, nursing homes, senior centers or children’s programs. Download the easy-to-follow instructions.

Are you looking for activity ideas that are user-friendly for staff and also creative, appropriate, and functional for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Teach your consumers how to preserve all of their wonderful memories by creating a scrapbook!
YAI’s “How To” series of activity “recipes” promote social interaction and cognitive development. In “Scrapbooking,” step-by-step instructions explain how to create this wonderful memory saver and teaching tool.
This easy to use step by step guide will help your group to design a beautiful scrapbook for any occasion.

Everyone feels empowered when they can give to others. People with developmental disabilities are no exception. This Heartfelt craft activity is perfect for a Valentine’s gift for a special friend or a community gift for a nursing home, homeless shelter or meals-on-wheels.
Show someone you care and have fun in the making!

Everyone can create stunning artwork with this craft project. These beautiful note cards make a wonderful donation for senior centers, nursing homes, or hospitals. They can be used as blank note cards or greeting cards.

This simple craft is a great way to get your group involved in the community during the holiday season. These step-by-step instructions will help you to put together a great seasonal gift for giving or donation.
Snowman Soup is an assembled package of all the essential ingredients needed to enjoy a warm drink to comfort you from the cold weather. Gathering the ingredients and assembling the packages can be a wonderful activity for any group to participate in.
Look for places in your community such as homeless shelters, meals on wheels, or the local senior center and get your group involved in the community by having them donate their crafts.. All of these programs will gladly accept your wonderful donations.
These jolly snowman soup cups are the perfect gift on a cold winter’s day!

The budding artists in your program will have fun making this attractive and edible card.  It’s perfect for cheering children and seniors alike. Show someone you care and have fun in the making!

Faced with the challenge of equal inclusion and opportunity for people with profound/pervasive intellectual and physical disabilities, one program team modified the way that the game of baseball is played.

Learn about this unique approach where everyone plays and everyone scores.  Play ball!

Are you looking for activity ideas that are user-friendly for staff and also creative, appropriate, and functional for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? This “recipe”  promotes social interaction and cognitive development.

Through step-by-step instructions, it is explained how to create a holiday decorated “fudge wreath” (an adaptation of Rachael Ray’s recipe), with lots of “hands-on” photographs.

This recipe is a great teaching tool to add to your holiday activities with your group!

Giving to others is an empowering experience.  Why not combine the giving with crafting fun?

These little pots are a great spring time art activity and donation for places like meals on wheels, nursing homes, senior centers, children’s programs, and libraries.

No refrigeration is required for these snowballs!

Donate this craft to a children’s program or make a snowball centerpiece for the dining table.  This project is very simple to make and can be crafted by just about anyone. 

Easy and fun, what a combo!

Soft, cuddly, beautiful ~ these lovely pillows are great fun to make.

Donate them to nursing homes or senior centers or use them to decorate your program.

This festive decoration can be used as a holiday donation to meals on wheels, nursing homes and senior centers.

Making this napkin ring requires easy to find colored paper and poster board plus a few googly eyes. A template is included. 

Download now and start crafting!

Are you looking for activity ideas that are user-friendly for staff and also creative, appropriate, and functional for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Here is a fun and delicious holiday activity that can be adapted to almost any group.
YAI’s “How To” series of activity “recipes” promote social interaction and cognitive development. In “Chocolate Making,” step-by-step instructions explain how to create holiday decorated chocolate lollipops, great for gift baskets and fund-raising.
With so many types of chocolate and lollipop molds to choose from, there is something for every holiday!

People with developmental disabilities can enjoy the accomplishment of cooking a meal. For many people with ID/DD, following a typical recipe is not an option. 

How do we help them learn how to make recipes as independently as possible? Step-by-step photo recipes are the answer!

This photo recipe gives step-by-step pictorial and written directions for making a delicious spinach quiche. This dish is hearty, colorful, fun to make and to eat!

Individuals of all capabilities can participate in meaningful food preparation.  Using pictorial recipes, group participants learn about ingredients and tools used in preparing simple recipes and engage in tasks such as mixing, measuring, spreading and slicing. 

Recipes selected maximize opportunities for exploring the variety of sensory experiences associated with food preparation (appearance, smell, texture, taste, and temperature) as well as allow individuals to make choices according to personal preference. 

In addition to food preparation skills, participants practice table manners and have opportunity to engage in social interaction

Are you looking for ways to help people with DD/ID get “outside of themselves,” become part of a creative group effort that will boost self esteem, social skills and self awareness? 
“Acting 101” is a comprehensive, easy-to-follow curriculum that will help your group meet all these goals and so much more!

In the Warm-up section, activities stimulate physical, mental and creative energy.
In the Activities section, the group will stretch their imagination by creating “alternative” instruments, learn group coordination through building a “body machine,” and develop acting subtleties through exercises like “walking on marshmallows.”
In the Character Development section, the group will learn how to experience the world from another’s point of view.  They will discover how to build a character through voice, movement and mind.
Sample sessions demonstrate how to pace these activities for a group with more moderate disabilities.

Download this curriculum now and begin learning, laughing, discovering, and acting!

We’ve all loved playing tic-tac-toe on paper.  Here is a movable piece game the ups the ante and provides even more sensory experience.

Made from cardboard and foam pieces, this craft requires some cutting skills and provides opportunities for sorting and packaging. 

Donate these fun games as part of a “Get Well Kit” for a children’s hospital or to a children’s program at your local library.