Snow Day Sensory Support
By: Gracie Donahue, OTD, OTR/L
Snow days are exciting — but they can also throw off routines and leave kids feeling a little dysregulated. When school is canceled and schedules change, children may need extra support to feel calm, organized, and ready to engage. That’s where cozy regulation activities come in.
Cozy activities provide deep pressure, warmth, and predictability, which help the nervous system slow down and reset. These simple ideas are easy to do at home and support skills occupational therapists focus on every day.
Try these OT-approved cozy activities on a snow day:
Blanket burritos: Wrap your child snugly in a blanket and gently apply pressure. This deep pressure input can be very calming.
Warm drinks or snacks: Holding a warm mug or bowl provides comforting sensory input and encourages slow, intentional movements.
Calm breathing games: Practice slow breathing using bubbles, pinwheels, or pretending to “fog up a window.”
Quiet corners: Create a cozy spot with pillows, stuffed animals, or soft lighting where kids can rest and recharge.
Slow movement breaks: Gentle stretches, yoga poses, or rocking in a chair help promote body awareness and regulation
Snow days don’t have to feel chaotic. A few cozy moments throughout the day can help kids feel grounded, calm, and ready for play or learning — even when routines change!
Support Beyond Snow Days
Snow days and other routine changes can bring extra regulation challenges. If these moments often feel overwhelming for your child, professional support can help. Hogg Therapy’s Occupational Therapy Team works with families to build sensory and regulation strategies that fit naturally into everyday life — at home, at school, and everywhere in between. Give us a call at 859-353-3666 to connect with our OT Team, schedule an evaluation, or learn more about our services.
![We’ve loved seeing your stories roll in over the past couple weeks and wanted to share one of our own, thanks to therapists Lauren & Maya and their friend Tiffany. ❤️
Last week, OT Ms. Lauren and ST Ms. Maya accompanied Tiffany on a HUGE adventure, attending the Special Needs Camp of Kentucky for activities, friendship, and growth ? Headquartered in Bath County, SNCKI is free to attend, with nearly 100 campers enrolled this year! Ms. Lauren shared her thoughts with the HTP team when she got home: “The other campers welcomed [Tiffany] with open arms, and she made so many new friends…A space where 76 teens/adults with disabilities of all kinds were free to just be them and make those connections with each other while having tons of fun. We have had moments that were trickier to navigate, but we did it together.”
One of the nights was family and community night, featuring a group dance and a talent showcase. ?Lauren said, “The amount of love and support in the gym was out of this world. For her mom to see that, to know that we’ve got her girl no matter what, means more than any treatment code or note I could ever write. She is already asking when she gets to come back…and even told her mom to ‘buy a new house at camp’? If you are not already, follow Special Needs Connections of Kentucky, Inc on facebook. They are doing such AMAZING things for our community here and deserve so much support.” ? We couldn’t agree more!
Therapy isn’t about treatment codes, billable hours, documentation, or recertification. It’s about the meaningful moments and the love we pour into these children every single day. This is why Hogg Therapy exists—to give every child the opportunity to experience a meaningful, joyful life. ✨ Thank you, Lauren and Maya for your support both in and outside of the clinic and for sharing this story! ?](https://scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/747807719_18212073508337241_9129116297997701917_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=108&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=3RrxK29DzoQQ7kNvwGvv_vD&_nc_oc=AdpYcP_cCWpsmDf_MnvrcY69z9VP9vYnRtddATo3ymYkrslZng9RS0_KXo37oVxpP64&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=auW17GBJNH88UF88Jlc_cw&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQIpoTS7IPexaC59uKd7hV7lrbbIa8W_NQJqx4ivBIT6VUommPrTWIFNXpcCBpmDB7ldeQp_DXx7cw&oh=00_AQInN65r5Ee1lTG9VFC-Lmg9VTvnrZXuwu7jow-_YIPtQw&oe=6AA8F3CA)
![We’re sharing an occupational therapy success story from OT Mrs. Abby today! ? Meet Grayson! When he first started occupational therapy, everyday life felt hard. He was experiencing significant picky eating, struggled with daily routines and transitions, and had a difficult time managing big emotions.
Since then, Grayson has put in so much hard work. Through OT, he has built confidence, strengthened his self-regulation skills, and learned to take on new and challenging tasks with courage. Every small step has added up to something truly amazing! One of the biggest reasons for Grayson’s success has been the incredible partnership with his parents. They fully embraced therapy beyond the clinic by consistently practicing strategies at home through his Home Exercise Program (HEP). Their dedication, encouragement, and willingness to try new approaches have made all the difference.
Today, Grayson is trying new foods every week, navigating daily routines with greater independence, and enjoying more successful, joyful moments with his family. His growth is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a determined child, committed caregivers, and a supportive therapy team work together.
?Congratulations, Grayson! We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished, and we’re celebrating your amazing parents, too. Your hard work, perseverance, and teamwork are inspiring! ?
[This story & all photos shared with parent permission ??] #occupationaltherapy #hoggtherapypediatrics #hoggtherapy #feedingtherapy](https://scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/742695277_18211398901337241_3568386461214310976_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=aAXzBwoPEZUQ7kNvwGikaxr&_nc_oc=Adp1xDv5cbku04_HVbQQw-9Rs5I2ZcUM2n0qKbV9P5d9Mlb2d5XowPsV3OYcqB-_5C4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-iad6-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=auW17GBJNH88UF88Jlc_cw&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQLUoN5BrYt2E0dvYDN60nzskepHXOKJ9hD5FrCOy-LdJLHioq8xN_CEGH25Gfd-BMG3q6PFUqhWlQ&oh=00_AQIOAAULMn-nuwo4I_ZfpGCJ_l_N79HkjH-LCTFIbHmbNQ&oe=6AA8D24E)
