scented ornaments

Activity: Scented Ornament

Target participant group: Someone with Sensory Processing Disorder would work very well with this activity since the ornament has a smell that comes off of it, and there is a feeling to the dough.

Therapeutic potential of this activity: This activity helps with sensory stimulation, increasing hand strength, and also may help the participant relax.

What other groups may benefit from this activity?: Any younger child would enjoy doing this activity. They always s love doing crafts and enjoy making things that they can take home and hang on their Christmas tree.

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity?: I would watch out for too young of kids, because the ornaments have a smell to them, young children may want to eat the ornament, which wouldn’t be good for them.

Activity description: Put the cinnamon in a bowl, and slowly mix the applesauce in with. After it’s all mixed in there should be dough like consistency. Have the dough between two pieces of wax paper and flatten it out using a rolling pin. When flat, cut out shapes with cookie cutters and use other decorations to decorate your ornament. Make a hole in the top and let it dry for about 24 hours. String a ribbon through the hole, and when finished hang on their Christmas tree.

Resources needed: What are needed for this activity are cinnamon, apple sauce, bowl, spoon, wax paper, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and ribbon.

Best leadership style for this activity: Having the facilitator walk around making sure the people who need help rolling their dough out and or cutting out the ornaments. Also make sure they watch participants so that you would be able to stop them if they try to eat the dough at any time.

Where did you find this activity?: I found this activity online at http://www.recreationtherapy.com/tx/txdec.htm. A great place to go to find any activity Christmas related.

Where can others find more information on this activity?: To find more information on this activity, check out http://allrecipes.com/recipe/scented-applesauce-cinnamon-ornaments/ or you can always use Google for other great websites.