The Wobbly Straw Slalom
Purpose
This activity is wonderful for helping your child coordinate both hands together. By weaving a string through a forest of straws, they learn to control their arm movements while focusing on a small target. It builds the stability in their shoulders needed for writing later on. It also challenges their motor planning as they figure out the best path. Your child will love the challenge of keeping the string steady!
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Roll several small balls of playdough and press them onto a table to make steady bases.
- Cut your straws into pieces about four inches long.
- Stick one straw piece vertically into each playdough base to create slalom poles.
- Line up your poles in a straight or zigzag row.
- Tie a single large bead to the end of a long piece of string to act as your weight.
- Hold the string with both hands and weave the bead around each straw pole from start to finish.
- Challenge your child to go faster or weave the string in a specific pattern you call out!
Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child during play. Beads and playdough are choking hazards, so keep them away from younger siblings.
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