Foam Fortress Cut

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 15 to 20 minutes
Setup:: 5 minutes
Where:: Table

Why it helps

This activity is fantastic for developing strong hand muscles needed for future writing tasks. Cutting thick foam requires strong effort, providing excellent proprioceptive input to the hands. This heavy work helps build stability and endurance. Holding the foam steady with one hand while cutting with the other strengthens bilateral hand coordination. Finally, connecting the resulting pieces practices fine motor control and motor planning as your child figures out how to build a stable, three-dimensional structure.

Steps

Use markers to draw several squares and rectangles, about 3 to 4 inches across, on the foam sheets.
Ask your child to hold the foam steady with the helper hand and cut out the shapes along the lines with the scissors in the other hand.
Show your child how to cut a straight slit from the middle of one edge about halfway into each piece.
Ask your child to slide two pieces together at their slits so they cross and stand up like an X.
Cut slits in more edges to connect more pieces. Keep slotting walls and towers together to build a fortress as tall as it can stand.

Safety tip: Stay close while your child uses scissors and show how to keep the helper hand's fingers away from the blades. Put the scissors away when cutting is done.

Make it easier

Use thinner craft foam, which cuts with much less squeeze.
Draw short, straight lines near the edge so each cut is quick.
Take turns: you cut one piece, your child cuts the next.

Make it harder

Cut a doorway into one wall piece, starting at the edge and turning a corner.
Plan a fortress with four walls and a roof, and count how many pieces you need before cutting.
Cut zigzag lines along the tops of the walls to make castle edges.

What to watch for

Notice whether the helper hand moves the foam to keep the line in front of the scissors.
Watch for the scissors twisting sideways in thick foam. Keeping the blades straight up and down makes cutting easier.
If the squeak of scissors in foam bothers your child, cut thin cardboard or card stock instead.

Where this helps in daily life

Cutting through thicker material builds the scissor strength kids need for cutting card stock at school, snipping open a frozen treat wrapper, and cutting cardboard for building projects.

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