Vertical Garden Push

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 10 to 15 minutes
Setup:: 5 minutes
Where:: Floor

Why it helps

This fun activity uses a vertical surface to naturally engage your child’s shoulder and arm muscles, building the essential 'proximal stability' needed for successful writing and cutting later on. Pushing the sticks into the putty also gives great practice for strengthening small hand muscles and stabilizing the wrist.

Steps

Set up the 'garden' by turning the bucket upside down on the floor or table. Take a large handful of Theraputty (or stiff playdough) and press it firmly onto the side of the bucket, making a thick, stable 'garden bed.'
Show your child how to hold the craft stick using a three-finger grasp (or whatever grip is most comfortable). Explain that they need to 'plant' the sticks so they stand up tall.
Encourage your child to press the craft stick deeply into the putty with enough force to make it stick. Remind them to keep their elbow close to their side and push from the shoulder, keeping the wrist stable and slightly extended (bent backward) as they press.
Challenge them to fill the entire putty patch with as many colorful craft sticks as they can 'plant'! To increase the challenge, use a smaller patch of putty to encourage more precision.

Safety tip: Always supervise children closely during fine motor activities. Ensure the bucket is stable and will not slide or tip over when the child applies pushing force. Encourage standing or kneeling rather than reaching across the body to promote better posture.

Make it easier

Use soft playdough instead of putty so each stick slides in with a light push.
Press the putty onto the side of a cereal box on the table, so your child can sit while planting.
Let your child push the end of each stick with the flat of the palm instead of the fingertips.

Make it harder

Roll the putty thicker, or use a firmer putty, so each push takes more strength.
Pull the sticks back out using only the thumb and pointer finger.
Plant sticks high and low on the patch so the arm has to reach up and down.

What to watch for

Notice whether your child's wrist stays bent back slightly while pushing or drops down and bends forward.
Watch whether the push comes from the shoulder and arm, or whether your child leans their whole body into the bucket.
If the bucket slides when your child pushes, set it on a towel or against a wall so they can push with full force.