Independent Living Skills
5 minute Independent Living Skill Activities
1. Put on lotion/hand sanitizer
2. Read/compare a variety of menus
3. Read a variety of different maps (school/community buildings, city/state, parks etc)
4. Use CCTV or hand held magnifier to look at a variety of coupons (talk about what it could be used for, where you can use it, etc)
5. Make chocolate milk
6. Make microwave popcorn
7. Make microwave pretzels
8. Use toaster to make toast, pop tart, bagel etc.
9. Read utility bill (date due, amount owed, address to send it to, etc.
10. Open bag of pretzels, chips, etc.
11. Sort/name/count money
12. Learn folding techniques for money
13. Count specified amount of money and use vending machine
14. Fold washcloths/hand towels/bath towels
15. Practice putting on gloves/mittens
16. Use key to open door lock
17. Open/close a variety of different doors
18. Peel orange/banana
19. Frost a cupcake or cookie
20. Make hot chocolate
21. Compare different kinds of grapes, apples, vegetables etc.
22. Tax or no tax (what items are taxed and what items are not)
23. File/paint fingernails
24. Tell me what you are wearing? I am wearing ..., your friend is wearing...
25. How much does it cost. Look at a variety advertisements and guess how much things cost
26. Get a drink of water from a water fountain
27. Put a straw in a juice box and drink it
28. Clip/unclip a chip bag
29. Open/close a variety of different containers
30. Use CCTV or magnifier to read medicine bottle
31. Open applesauce or pudding cup and use spoon to eat
32. Tie shoes
33. Put items in a zip lock bag and close
34. Put items in/take out of backpack
35. Take lid off/put lid on game
36. Get game pieces out/put away
37. Make a sandwich, cut in half and put in sandwich bag
38. Wash and dry face/hands
39. Get out cleaning wipe and wipe off table
40. Put pillow in pillowcase
41. Fold shirts/pants
42. Put clothes on hangers
43. Change batteries in a game and play it.
44. Sweep floor
45. Vacuum floor
46. Answer the phone
47. Make a phone call/leave a message
48. Write a thank you letter, put it in an envelope, address it and put a stamp on it
49. Staple or put paperclips on a stack of papers
50. Wrap a gift
51. Take money out of a coin purse and put in a piggy bank
52. Open a key or combination lock
53. Open/drink a single serving milk
54. Wash/dry dishes
55. Spread butter and jelly on crackers
56. Use paper towel/napkin to wipe mouth and hands
57. Pull paper towel off roll or napkin out of napkin dispenser
58. Pull tissue out of box and wipe/blow nose
59. Carry tray to the sink or trash can
60. Practice personal information (phone number & address)
61. Loop a belt through belt loops
62. Lace shoes
63. Tie a necktie
64. Put on a band aid
65. Buy something out of a vending machine
66. Set a simple table setting
67. Use condiments from a variety of containers
68. Use a can opener
69. Write out a shopping list
70. Talk about what stores sell items on your shopping list
71. Water plants
72. Sort items for recycling
73. Use a broom and a dust pan
74. Use simple household tools to fix something
75. Clean your glasses
76. Identify clothes that are inside out
77. Match socks
78. Sort silverware
79. Clean/organize contents of closet or bag
80. Find exits in buildings
81. Discuss what to do in emergencies (fire, tornando)
82. Learn parents full name and what kind of car they drive
83. Exposure to several different kinds of phones
84. Make own list of important numbers
85. Call for take-out food
86. Set and use an alarm clock
87. Use a watch
88. Name the months of the year/days of the week
89. Look through a catalog and make a wish list
90. Role play a job interview
91. Complete a job application
92. Talk about and research various careers
93. Describe own eye condition
94. Fold money
95. Play a board game
96. Put up the school flag
97. Stack chairs in the room
98. Wash the table
99. Find all of the Braille signs in a building
100. Read a tactile or large print map
Show and Tell
Find a variety of items to compare and contrast. The possibilities are endless!
- belts
- hats
- sandals
- boots
- tennis shoes
- necklaces
- earrings
- bracelets
- watches
- water bottles
- candles
- perfume/cologne
- sunglasses
- flowers
- pet toys
- light bulbs
- fruit/vegetables
- utensils (tongs, spatula, etc)
- backpacks
- coats
- cell phones
- socks
- scissors/pens/markers/tape
- make up
- shirts
- pants
- shorts
- hand tools
- hair accessories
- key chains
- towels
- lunch boxes
- packs of gum
- lanyards
- juice boxes
- remote controls
- magazines
- sponges
- slippers
- purses
- wallets
- cameras
- salt and pepper shakers
- gloves
- mittens
- scarves
- coffee cups
- picture frames
- vases
- shampoo and conditioner containers
Name as many as you can!
Name as many kinds of _______ that you can think of...?
- cheese
- cookies
- drinks
- cereal
- cars
- candy bars
- animals with 4 legs
- vegetables
- fruits
- things in cans
- games
- restaurants
- fast food restaurants
- things to wear
- flowers
- trees
- ice cream
- soup
- singers/musical groups
- stores
- things that are green, blue, red, etc.
- television shows
- types of boots
- sporting events
Did you know?
- People text with their thumbs
- School buses have the name of the school district, a bus number and an emergency back door
- That people put their flag up on their mailbox when they have mail that they want the mailman to pick up
- People sometimes keep their winter hat on even when they are inside
- Some people don't take their Christmas lights down until summer
- Some ATMs have braille on the keypad and will talk if you plug headphones into it
- Some ipods show the name of the song playing and a picture of the CD
- Shopping carts can be pushed together into a long line
- Meijers, Walmart, CVS, 7-11 etc. are open 24 hours
- Some restaurants have all you can eat french fries, soup, fish, pasta, etc.
- What are your ideas?
Used with permission from Lynn Pensari and Johanna Anand
