Harvest Your Strength Exercise Challenge

The end of summer represents harvest season and preparation for change. In this activity, participants “tend to their garden,” collecting garden-related items through movements, problem-solving, and communication tasks.

It works well for individuals or groups, in community centers, or at home.

How to Play

• Print garden item cards (vegetables, flowers, tools, and insects).

• Scatter the cards around the space, or place them in a basket for tabletop play.

For Individuals:

• Shuffle cards and after picking a card:

  • Perform a related movement (e.g., “watering the soil” – arm circles; “digging” – squats).

  • Name the item, describe its color, or explain how it’s used.

For Groups:

• Players take turns drawing cards or moving around to “pick” items.

• Team members can help one another categorize:

  • Fruits vs. vegetables

  • Flowers vs. tools

  • Things you eat vs. things you use in the garden

• End with a group planning task: create a “recipe” or “bouquet” using at least three items.

Therapeutic Benefits

• OT: Sequencing (checking off tasks), handwriting/drawing, grasp/release.

• PT: Balance, core engagement, functional range of motion.

• SLP: Vocabulary recall, categorization, storytelling.