Pocket Post Office
- Play time:
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Setup:
- 5 minutes
- Where:
- Table
Why it helps
This playful activity targets the small muscles in the hands that your child uses for everyday tasks like zipping clothes or holding a pencil. Pushing the craft sticks into the resistant playdough provides great proprioceptive input, strengthening the arches of the hands. Transferring the small pom-poms requires precise control and dexterity (pincer grasp). The child must also use their helper hand to stabilize the container, which builds proximal stability needed for focusing on fine motor tasks. It’s a fun way to practice control and aim.
Steps
- Roll the playdough into a thick, flat disc. Press it firmly into the bottom of the plastic container to create a stable base.
- Stand 6 to 8 craft sticks up vertically by pushing them deep into the playdough base. Arrange the sticks close together to create narrow 'pockets' between them (these are the mail slots).
- Put the pom-poms (the 'mail') into a small bowl and place them next to the container.
- Use your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) or a pair of tongs to pick up one piece of mail at a time.
- Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Carefully aim the mail into one of the narrow pockets between the sticks.
- Use a strong, controlled push to send the mail deep into the playdough pocket. Repeat this until all the pockets are full!
Safety tip: Pom-poms and craft sticks are small objects. Maintain constant adult supervision during this activity, as these materials pose a choking hazard for children under five.
Make it easier
- Spread the sticks a little farther apart so the pom-pom mail slips in with less squeezing.
- Use big pom-poms, which are easier to pinch and aim.
- Knead the playdough until it is soft so the sticks go in with less force.
Make it harder
- Write a letter or number on each stick and call out which mailbox gets the next piece of mail.
- Use tweezers instead of fingers or tongs for every pickup.
- Sort the mail by color, one color per pocket.
What to watch for
- Notice whether your child pinches pom-poms with the fingertips or scoops them up with the whole hand.
- Watch how your child pushes the mail in. A steady push from one finger shows control, while a hard jab may knock the sticks over.
- If the feel of playdough is not your child's favorite, set up the sticks yourself and let your child do the mail delivery.
Where this helps in daily life
Pushing a small item into a tight space is the same move kids use to post a letter, fit a coin into a piggy bank, and tuck a shirt into their pants.
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.
