We thought we were done when we complied our favorite dysregulation activities, but we can’t help it! We just love to play.

Play is an excellent tool for helping our young adults practice moving between the zones of regulation.

Here are 3 more dysregulation activities we love to use.

1. Active Uno

Supplies: Uno cards

How to play: This is exactly like Uno, but each color is assigned an action. You can use your creativity here and choose whatever action works for your group. We recommend using actions that cross the midline. 

For example:

RED – opposite elbow to knee

YELLOW – opposite hand to toe

GREEN – jog in a circle

BLUE – infinity sign (Put hands together and use them to draw out a large infinity symbol) 

Once you have actions assigned to each card, play uno like you normally would. Everyone has to do the action associated with the card played. This keeps everyone up, moving and in the red zone.

 

2. Catapult wars

Supplies: Popsicle sticks, rubber bands, plastic spoons, craft pom poms and masking or painter’s tape.

How to play: This game is sure to bring out the competitive spirit in even your calmest friends. While this is a great dysregulation tool, it is also a great game for practicing impulse control. The rule to shoot just one pom pom at a time can be a challenge for some.

Step 1 – Build your own catapult out of spoons, rubber bands and popsicle sticks. 

Step 2 – Divide your group into two teams and place them on either end of the room (or long table). Divide your space into two zones by marking the midline with tape. 

Step 3 – Provide each team with the same number of craft pom poms. 

Step 4 – Start the timer for 30 seconds and see which team can get the most pom poms to the other side using their catapult. 

Rules: 

1. Players must remain standing and lean over to pick up pom poms without crouching down. (Think about the vestibular input!) 
2. Players can only pick up and shoot one pom-pom at a time.
3. Team chants encouraged.

You can play this game two ways. By using a large space and having youth run around the space. To make the game accessible you can use a large table and have your adults remain seated throughout the game.

3. Lovely locks

Supplies: Pipe cleaners (lots)

How to play: To start, have your players sit in a circle. They can sit in chairs or on the floor, as long as everyone is equidistant from the center. Once everyone is settled into their spot you can explain the game. 

Step 1 – Place a stack of pipe cleaners in the middle of your circle of players.

Step 2 – Start the timer for 2 minutes

Step 3 – Collect pipe cleaners and attach them to your hair

Step 4 – When the timer runs out, see who has the most lovely locks.

Rules:

1. Players can only pick up one pipe cleaner at a time
2. Players must stand up, walk to the center, lean over to grab their pipe cleaner and return to their chair before attaching the pipe cleaner to their hair