Physical activity is a must, especially for high-energy children. There is even research suggesting that physical exercise and time in green spaces can help reduce ADHD symptoms, at least in the short term. Children with ADHD who engage in outdoor activities may show temporary improvements in their attention and self-control. Here are some Seattle-area activities recommended by a parent coach that can help your child get moving and benefit from time outdoors. Parent coaching in Seattle, WA can also provide valuable strategies tailored to your family, helping you support your child's unique needs and foster their growth.

1. Enjoy a Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt

Everyone loves scavenger hunts! It’s easy to plan even spur-of-the-moment hunts. You can even go on a hunt from your doorstep. Items for your list might include seasonal objects, clothing or accessories, or a house feature. For example, a November hunt might include searching for rotting pumpkins, specific Halloween decorations, acorns, dogs in raincoats, people holding umbrellas, and so forth.

Image of an illustration of a scavenger hunt. With the help of parent coaching in Seattle, WA you can begin to learn how to support your child's ADHD needs.

Seattle City Parks are also a great springboard for scavenger hunts. Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill is a favorite. Volunteer Park also has a wading pool, playground, conservatory, and amphitheater, and is home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum and Dahlia Gardens. Examples of things to search for in a scavenger hunt include:

Climbing trees
A willow tree
The “anthropomorphic tree”
Duck ponds
Dog playing frisbee
People having a picnic
Stray tennis ball
Slackliners
Statues (Black Sun, William Seward, Thomas Burke)
Water Tower (be sure to enjoy the views from the top!)

2. Go on a Nature Walk

Seattle is known for its many green spaces. The Washington Park Arboretum has beautiful trails with blooming plants year-round. You’ll feel like you are far from the city even though the arboretum is centrally located. Discovery Park is another nature retreat with trails in the Magnolia area. Nature walks are also a great opportunity to build in a little nature scavenger hunt and have a picnic. Bring along a magnifying glass to inspect little critters and plant features.

3. Skip Stones

Most kids cannot resist throwing or skipping stones. Seward Park, Luther Burbank Park, and Carkeek Park all have beaches with bountiful stones. Stone skipping helps kids practice patience and enjoy calming water environments. If you aren’t already a stone skipper, you can find how-to guides on the web.

4. Build a Fairy House

Image of a flower pot filled with flowers and rocks. With the support of a skilled parent coach in Seattle, WA you can begin learning how to help your child with their ADHD symptoms.

Building a fairy house is a fun and imaginative way for kids to connect with nature, spark creativity, and enjoy outdoor play. Even adults can be caught up in the magic, and children will love this shared experience with their parents. A fairy house is a small, whimsical structure designed to resemble a tiny home for fairies. It’s typically made using natural materials found in the outdoors, like twigs, leaves, moss, bark, pinecones, stones, and flowers. Fairy houses can be simple or elaborate, depending on the builder's creativity and resources.

Key Features of a Fairy House:

Size: Small enough to appear as though it's made for fairies or other magical creatures.
Materials: Completely crafted from natural items to blend into the environment.
Location: Built at the base of a tree, under a bush, on a rock, or in a garden.
Decorations: Often includes natural "furniture" like tiny tables, chairs, or beds made from leaves and sticks.

How to Make a Fairy House:

Gather Supplies: Go on a nature walk to collect materials like twigs, moss, stones, and leaves.
Choose a Spot: Find a cozy and safe location, such as a tree stump, garden, or patch of grass.
Design and Build: Use sticks to create a frame, leaves for walls or roofs, and small stones for pathways.
Add Details: Include tiny accessories like acorn caps for bowls or flowers for decorations.

5. Explore Tidal Pools

Remember to check the tide schedule and bring along a magnifying glass. You’ll have the best experience if you visit during the two hours before and after low tide. The best places in Seattle for tide pool exploration are Constellation Park (Richey Viewpoint) and Lincoln Park in West Seattle, Carkeek Park in Broadview/ Blue Ridge, and Golden Gardens in Ballard.

Image of a kid playing in a tidal pool. With parent coaching in Seattle, WA you can help your child with their emotions and behaviors in positive ways.

A visit to tidal pools is a great opportunity to teach your child self-control and mindful awareness. Tide pool etiquette calls for careful walking to avoid squishing sea life. Children can be taught to touch sea life gently, with only one wet finger, and to observe without touching.

ADHD-Related Services at Child and Teen Solutions

Child and Teen Solutions in Seattle offers therapy and evaluations for children and teens who may be struggling with ADHD symptoms. ADHD is not usually a stand-alone issue. Individuals with ADHD may also experience learning challenges, features of autism, and anxiety. Our evaluations are comprehensive and aim to evaluate each young person in a holistic manner.

Evidence-based treatments for ADHD in children typically involve a parent-focused approach. We offer parent coaching to help caregivers build skills to support their child’s behavior and emotional adjustment.

Child and Teen Solutions is staffed by licensed psychologists and therapists. Send us a message through our Contact page to learn more about our services.

Help Your Child With Their ADHD Symptoms With Parent Coaching in Seattle, WA

Parent coaching in Seattle, WA, can provide you with personalized strategies to support your child in managing ADHD symptoms effectively. At Child and Teen Solutions, we specialize in empowering parents with tools to nurture their child’s strengths, improve focus, and foster positive behavior. Together, we’ll create a plan to help your family thrive while addressing the unique challenges ADHD can bring. Follow these three simple steps to get started:

1. Contact us so we can gather information and answer your questions.

2. Our Client Care Coordinator will walk you through the steps for scheduling and preparing for your first appointment with a skilled CATS therapist.

3. Begin helping your child manage their ADHD symptoms in positive ways!

Additional Mental Health Services Provided by Child and Teen Solutions

CATS is here to support you and your family through various services designed to address the unique needs of each family. In addition to helping you help your child manage their ADHD symptoms with parent coaching, we also offer services to young individuals who can help with self-regulation, ADHD, autism/ PDA, emotion regulation, defiance, or anxiety. We also offer Theraplay to families of young children who are looking to have sessions together with their children. For youngsters who are interested in working directly with a therapist, we encourage you to read our child and teen service pages. In some cases, the therapist who is working with you for parenting can eventually shift to focusing on working with your child. Alternatively, it can sometimes be best to assign a separate CATS provider to the child or teen who is seeking their own therapist. We also offer neurodevelopmental evaluations when more information about a child’s or teen’s developmental and learning profile would be helpful. We work with a wide range of family constellations and identities, and all of our services are LGBTQ+ Affirming.

5 Seattle Area Activities Recommended by a Parent Coach To Help Reduce ADHD Symptoms in Your Child