Felt Maze Nut Grab
Purpose
This fun activity provides deep input to the tiny muscles in your child's hands. It is often called 'heavy work' for the hands, which helps them feel stable and strong for detailed tasks like holding a pencil later on. Using tongs requires a firm pincer grasp and strong pinch to maintain control of the heavy nut. The felt adds a sensory component by creating resistance, teaching your child to grade the force they apply. This works core stability, too, as the non-dominant hand must hold the container perfectly steady while the other hand works hard.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Adult Prep: Use markers to draw a simple maze or winding path onto the felt sheet.
- Cut one small drop hole (slightly bigger than a nut) at the end of the maze. Secure the felt tightly over the container opening using masking tape.
- Place the container on a stable table. Put the nuts next to the maze start point.
- Use your non-dominant hand (the helper hand) to hold the container firmly steady.
- Pick up the tongs using a strong pincer grasp. Squeeze the tongs open and gently grab one nut.
- Carefully follow the path with the tongs. Press down firmly to maneuver the heavy nut through the resistant felt maze.
- Once you reach the drop hole, let go of the nut and hear it clink into the box! Repeat until all the treasure is collected.
Safety Tip:
Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Nuts and bolts are very small, hard objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children under five. Ensure all materials are used only as intended and collected immediately after play.
