When I was still teaching, I worked with an occupational therapist who was so talented, I wished I could bottle her up and take her home. She was constantly teaching me new things about my students and how to help them regulate their nervous systems.

One of the most important things she taught me, however, is that children with special needs aren't the only ones who need a "sensory diet." Instead, she said, we all have inside of us an engine. When we need to be calmed or energized, we need to give that engine the proper fuel. Every body is different, so the key is finding what kind of activities are the best fuel for you or your child.

Mommy Poppins has a list of 99 sensory activities for every child, organized by type. If your child seems overstimulated, these activities can help bring them back down to Earth. If your child is tired and cranky, they can give them the energy they need to get through to bedtime.

The nice thing about these activities is that you can do them without any equipment or preparation of any kind. Got a restless kid at the grocery store? Let them push the cart. Kids driving you crazy at home? Put them to work sweeping or hauling baskets of laundry. Depending on your child's needs, you may find that activities like those on this list will help your child feel calmer and more grounded.