Paper Roll Snip Monster
- Play time:
- 15 to 20 minutes
- Setup:
- 5 minutes
- Where:
- Table
Why it helps
This fun craft provides essential practice for developing controlled snipping skills and strengthening the 'helper hand' stability, which are both crucial building blocks for learning how to cut along complex lines and write later on. Choking risk: googly eyes can be a choking hazard. Stay within arm's reach, and keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths.
Steps
- Use markers to color the entire outside surface of the paper roll (toilet paper or paper towel size) with bright colors. Encourage using both hands to stabilize the roll while coloring.
- An adult should draw several straight lines (about 1 inch long) around the bottom edge of the roll, spaced about a quarter-inch apart. These are the guides for snipping.
- Encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand firmly inside the roll to keep it steady (proximal stability) while using the scissors to carefully snip along each marked line.
- Once the bottom is fully snipped, gently bend the strips outward to create a fringe (the 'legs' or 'wiggly hair').
- Finish the craft by gluing two wiggle eyes onto the top section of the roll to complete your Paper Roll Snip Monster!
Safety tip: Always provide direct adult supervision when using scissors. Ensure that any small pieces, such as wiggle eyes, are properly glued or immediately removed from the workspace to prevent choking in children under 5.
Need personalized support?
While these activities are great for home practice, nothing replaces the guidance of a licensed therapist. If you are in Irvine, CA or the Orange County area and have concerns about your child's Bilateral Hand Use, we invite you to connect with us.
Contact Tumble N' Dots Therapy →These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.
