Innovative Activity 8

Activity: Vestibular Bowling

Target participant group: People in wheel chairs who have limited mobility in all extremities.

Therapeutic potential of this activity: This activity gives participants who normally don’t have the chance the opportunity to move swiftly. They also may enjoy feeling the impact of knocking over the pins. The sound can also be pleasing to the participants.

What other groups may benefit from this activity? Any participant who is in a wheel chair can benefit from this activity.

What groups may not be as appropriate for this activity? Participants who are scared easily by loud noises and fast movements would most likely not enjoy this activity.

Activity description: For this activity you will either use bowling pins or other durable items that can handle being knocked over. You will set them up however you like (you can adjust the difficulty by setting them up in different formations. Next you will help your participant by lining them up in a good position and giving them a big push towards the pins or other object you chose. Have another facilitator stand behind the pins/objects to help slow and stop the participant after they hit the pins.

Resources needed: Pins or other durable object and a big open area.

Best leadership style for this activity: The best leadership style is hands on. For the particular population I did this with, a facilitator was required because of the limited mobility of our participants.

Where did you find this activity? During my summer job at Central Wisconsin Center we used this activity.