Heavy work is beneficial for all kids, but is particularly calming for kids with sensory needs and/or autism because it provides proprioceptive input and helps them regulate.
Doing a simple heavy work activity, like those listed below, also quickly helps to improve focus and attention. They can also help reset a day for kids by providing a much needed sensory break during long school days.
This list of heavy work activities for kids is geared specifically towards the classroom and provides quick and easy ideas for implementing proprioceptive sensory activities naturally into the school day.
There is also a free printable list of heavy work activities for the classroom included below.
Heavy Work Activities in the Classroom & Around the School
These heavy work ideas are ones that occur naturally throughout the school day and/or can be done right within the classroom. They provide much needed proprioceptive input for the kids who are craving that type of sensory input.
So if your child needs a quick body break at school, then these 15 heavy work activities for school are perfect for that! You can even just use this list as inspiration to come up with your own ideas.
1. Erase chalkboards or whiteboards
2. Sharpen pencils with a manual pencil sharpener
3. Fill plastic crates with books to take to other classrooms
4. Stack chairs
5. Move packs of paper for the printer/photocopier
6. Staple paper, especially onto bulletin boards
7. Take down chairs at the beginning of the day
8. Place chairs on desks at the end of the day
9. Rearrange desks or furniture in the classroom
10. Help the gym teacher move mats, hang them up, etc.
11. Ride a scooter board around the hallway
12. Carry books with both hands, hugging tight to chest
13. Open and hold doors for people
14. Help the janitor or caretaker empty garbage cans, recycling, mopping, sweeping, etc.
15. Climb on playground equipment
Download the Free Printable List of Heavy Work Activities for School
Don't forget to print off a copy of this list of school based heavy work activities. To get a copy of this printable list, click the link below:
>> Click here to download the free printable
