Foam Fortress Pull-Apart

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 20 to 30 minutes
Setup:: 10 minutes
Where:: Table

Why it helps

This activity is fantastic for developing strong hand and arm muscles. Pushing the craft sticks through the foam and later pulling the pieces apart provides great proprioceptive input, also known as 'heavy work.' Heavy work is calming and helps your child regulate their body and focus. Since they must use both hands working together, it improves bilateral coordination. It also requires motor planning to figure out how to best pull the pieces apart without them tearing.

Steps

Invite your child to draw squares and rectangles about the size of a playing card on the foam sheets with markers.
Cut out the shapes for your child. Use whole craft sticks, since cut sticks leave sharp, splintery ends.
Before play, fold each piece in half the long way. Near each end, snip a tiny cut across the fold so it opens into a slit just wide enough for a craft stick.
Show your child how to overlap the ends of two pieces so the slits line up, then push a craft stick straight down through both.
Keep joining pieces end to end, with a stick standing up at each joint like a tower. Your child can bend the wall around into a ring to close the fortress.
To take it apart, ask your child to press the wall flat with the helper hand and pull each tower straight up and out with the other hand.
Store the sticks and foam pieces in the container for the next build.

Safety tip: Check the craft sticks for splinters, and remind your child to pull each stick up slowly, away from eyes and faces. Keep the scissors with you during prep.

Make it easier

Make the slits a little longer so the sticks slide in and out with a light push.
Build a short wall of four or five pieces instead of a whole fortress.
Do the joining together at first. You hold the two pieces lined up while your child pushes the stick.

Make it harder

Draw a simple fortress plan first, then build it to match the drawing.
Join three foam layers with one stick for a stronger joint that is harder to pull apart.
Make the slits a little shorter than the stick is wide so each push and pull takes more effort.

What to watch for

Notice how your child plans the build. Some try things as they go, others decide on a shape before they start.
Watch how your child pulls each tower. A slow, straight pull slides the stick out without tearing the foam.
If the squeak of the foam bothers your child, build on a soft towel or work with fewer, larger pieces.

Where this helps in daily life

Pushing pieces together and pulling them apart with both hands is the same work kids do to pull apart building bricks, open a tight lid, and pull on snug socks or boots.

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