Young Athletes at Home
Young Athletes offers families a collection of resources and activities for inclusive play at home.
Quick Tips
English (PDF)
Quick Tips provide families with a framework for at home Young Athletes practice.
Arabic (PDF)
Quick Tips provide families with a framework for at home Young Athletes practice.
Spanish (PDF)
Quick Tips provide families with a framework for at home Young Athletes practice.
Young Athletes Family Flashcards
Fun and engaging flashcards for families to use at home to run Young Athletes activities.
Family Flashcards - English (PDF)
Fun and engaging flashcards for families to use at home to run Young Athletes activities.
Family Flashcards - Spanish (PDF)
Fun and engaging flashcards for families to use at home to run Young Athletes activities.
Family Flashcards - Arabic (PDF)
Fun and engaging flashcards for families to use at home to run Young Athletes activities.
Family Flashcards - Chinese (PDF)
Fun and engaging flashcards for families to use at home to run Young Athletes activities.
Family Flashcards - French (PDF)
Fun and engaging flashcards for families to use at home to run Young Athletes activities.
Family Flashcards - Russian (PDF)
Fun and engaging flashcards for families to use at home to run Young Athletes activities.
Young Athletes at Home Guide
Young Athletes at Home Guide - English (PDF)
Guide for families and caregivers to continue at home the Young Athletes activities their child is doing in a school or community program.
Young Athletes at Home Guide - Spanish (PDF)
Guide for families and caregivers to continue at home the Young Athletes activities their child is doing in a school or community program.
Young Athletes at Home Guide - Arabic (PDF) - UPDATE COMING SOON
Guide for families and caregivers to continue at home the Young Athletes activities their child is doing in a school or community program.
Young Athletes at Home Guide - Chinese (PDF)
Guide for families and caregivers to continue at home the Young Athletes activities their child is doing in a school or community program.
Young Athletes at Home Guide - French (PDF)
Guide for families and caregivers to continue at home the Young Athletes activities their child is doing in a school or community program.
Young Athletes at Home Guide - Russian (PDF)
Guide for families and caregivers to continue at home the Young Athletes activities their child is doing in a school or community program.
Videos and Printables
Young Athletes Activity Videos and At Home Printables for more fun!
Young Athletes at Home Lesson
Follow along with Coach Greg during your first Young Athletes at home practice session!
Foundational Skills
Video of activities that develop foundational skills, which help children become aware of themselves and their surroundings. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Advanced Sports Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Advanced Sports Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Walking and Running
Video that highlight different activities to improve walking and running skills. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Walking and Running Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Walking and Running Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Balance and Jumping
Video that include activities, like Jumping High and Leaping Lizards, that focus on the core skill of balance. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Balancing and Jumping Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Balancing and Jumping Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Trapping and Catching
Video of activities that children use to stop a ball with their body or catch it with their hands. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Kicking Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Kicking Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Throwing
Video that includes activities, like Train Tunnel and Target Practice, that focus on grip, release, aim and other important skills in throwing. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Throwing Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Throwing Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Striking
Video of activities that teach children how to hit a ball with their hand or an object. These skills develop hand-eye coordination. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Striking Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Striking Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Kicking
Video that includes activities, like Penalty Kick and Cone Dribble, that teach children how to kick a ball with their feet. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Kicking Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Kicking Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Advanced Sports Skills
Video of activities that introduce children to basketball, football (soccer) and softball skills. Download additional printable resources to enhance playtime in the skill area: Booklet (PDF) | Card (PDF)
Gifs demonstrating Advanced Sports Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Gifs demonstrating Advanced Sports Skills (ZIP):
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish
Special Olympics Ireland Together At Home Videos
Special Olympics New York Young Athletes at Home Videos
Additional Resources for Inclusive Play at Home
Young Athletes at Home: Training with Special Olympics Athlete Leaders
Special Olympics Athlete Leaders from around the world have come together to showcase activities that Young Athletes can do at home.
• Overview & Equipment Recommendations (PDF): One-page PDF to support families implement Young Athletes activities at home.
• Overview & Equipment Recommendations (PDF): One-page PDF to support families implement Young Athletes activities at home.
Young Athletes in Motion - Presented by Special Olympics and Hip Hop Public Health
Featuring 100+ young athletes representing 28 countries, this video promotes fitness and health by inspiring children and families with and without intellectual disabilities to warm-up, cool down and stay active as we transition more and more into remote and blended learning environments.
Unified Young Readers Club Cards
Complement your Young Athletes play with storytime. See our list of inclusive books and accompanying activities.
Build Your Own YA Kit at Home
Don’t have a Young Athletes kit at home? No problem. Follow this video to make your own kit!
Strong Minds Stress Ball Activity
Take a moment to breathe with this mindful activity.
Strong Minds Mindfulness Recording
A series of 14, 5 minute Special Olympics Strong Minds meditations: Appreciation | Belonging | Connections | Empowerment | Identity | Leadership | Mindfulness for Families | Post-competition | Pre-competition | Reflections | Spread the Word | Teamwork | Wellness | Young Athletes
3 Min Read
Young Athletes Activity Tracker
Celebrate your child as they participate in Young Athletes at home.
Resources to Support Families During COVID-19
Mindful Parenting and COVID-19 (PDF)
Mindful parenting strategies that can support mental health during this hectic time.
Self-Care Tips for Special Olympics Families
As you care for your loved ones, remember to care for yourself with these tips.
Play at Home Resources from Special Olympics Partners
Playworks: Play at Home
Kids need play to stay active and engaged with one another, and to support families and teachers. We want to share our expertise to help keep kids engaged in play during this time.
BOKS: BOKS at Home
With many schools being closed and kids at home, BOKS will share as many games and activities as possible to keep kids active and happy during this difficult time.
SHAPE: SHAPE America COVID 19 Resources
SHAPE America is dedicated to helping physical education and health education teachers across the country as many schools and school districts are moving to distance learning due to COVID-19.
Hip Hop Public Health: HYPE at Home
Even with current social distancing recommendations, the importance of keeping active remains important for our overall health and immune systems. Hip Hop Public Health has, therefore, put together a collection of free, fun, standards-based dance breaks that encourage physical activity at home.
External Resources on COVID-19
COVID-19: Information for Families of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (English/Spanish)
Information for parents to keep themselves, their families, and their children with special health care needs safe during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sesame Street Caring for Each Other
Your friends on Sesame Street are here to support you during the COVID-19 health crisis.
Parenting for Lifelong Health: COVID-19 Online Resources:
Parenting for Lifelong Health provides open-access online parenting resources during COVID-19. We are working with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children, the Internet of Good Things, USAID and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.