Animal Walks

Who:

“Sensory seekers,” autistic children, and neurodivergent learners who experience “the wiggles” or sensory overload. This is for the child whose nervous system thrives on proprioceptive input (heavy work) to feel grounded, and for the educators or parents looking for a structured, visual way to provide “brain breaks” throughout the day.

What:

This is an interactive sensory-motor checklist featuring a variety of “animal walks”—such as the bear crawl, crab walk, or frog hop. Each animal is paired with a clear visual and a checkbox, allowing the child to track their progress as they complete each movement.

Why:

For many autistic children, their bodies need specific types of “heavy work” to feel regulated. These walks aren’t just fun; they provide essential sensory feedback that helps “organize” the nervous system. By turning these exercises into a visual checklist, you provide a clear beginning and end to the activity, reducing anxiety around how long the “break” will last and giving the child a satisfying sense of accomplishment as they check off each animal.