Standing Newspaper Foot Crumple Challenge

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 10 to 15 minutes
Setup:: None
Where:: Floor

Why it helps

This activity is a great way to challenge your child's balance and body control. By using only their feet to crumple paper, children learn to stabilize their core while focusing on their leg movements. It provides excellent sensory feedback through the soles of the feet as the paper crunches. It also helps build the tiny muscles in the feet and ankles. This is perfect for improving coordination during sports or play.

Steps

Lay a flat sheet of newspaper on a smooth floor or rug.
Ask your child to stand on one leg next to the paper.
Use the other foot to slowly crinkle and crumple the paper into a ball.
The child must keep their standing foot still the whole time.
Once it is a ball, use the foot to push it into a basket.
Switch legs and try to crumple a new sheet of paper!
Challenge them to do it faster each time they play.

Safety tip: Ensure your child is near a wall or a sturdy chair for support if they lose their balance.

Make it easier

Sit in a chair and crumple the paper with one foot before trying it standing.
Let your child hold the back of a chair or your hand while they crumple.
Use half a sheet of newspaper, which balls up faster.

Make it harder

Stand on a folded towel or a pillow to make balancing trickier.
Pick up the paper ball with the toes and drop it into the basket instead of pushing it.
Smooth the ball back out with the same foot, then crumple it again.

What to watch for

Notice whether the toes of the standing foot grip the floor, and whether that foot stays still.
Watch which leg is easier to stand on. Most kids have a stronger side, and that is useful to know.
If the crinkly feel of newspaper bothers bare feet, try it in socks.

Where this helps in daily life

Standing on one foot while the other foot moves is the same balance kids use to put on pants and shoes standing up, step into a bathtub, and kick a ball.

These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.