Ice Cream Scooper
- Play time:
- 20 to 30 minutes
- Setup:
- 5 minutes
- Where:
- Table
Why it helps
Scooping ice cream is a fun activity that promotes ADL skills. In this activity, we combine finger strength with the development of cutting skills, as the child makes his own ice cream in a cone. Choking risk: pom-poms can be a choking hazard. Stay within arm’s reach, and keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths. Food look-alike: the pretend ice cream (paper balls, pom-poms, or play-dough) is not food, so tell your child before play and stay close so none goes in the mouth.
Use brown, yellow, or white construction paper. Draw a 1/4 of a circle with a six-inch radius, and ask the child to cut the shape out. If needed, make the line bolder to increase accuracy. If using white paper, you can let the child color/paint it in any color he wishes to.
Assist the child as needed to fold the 1/4 circle into a cone shape. Secure with tape.
Provide the child with tissue paper sheets that are at least 5" x 7" in size. Instruct the child to crumble each sheet into a ball (a scoop of ice cream) and place it in a bowl or container on the table.
Have the child hold the ice cream scoop in his dominant hand and the cone in his other hand. Instruct the child to scoop the paper balls one at a time, using the ice cream scoop, and put it into the cone.
Using strips of construction paper in different colors, ask the child to tear small pieces to use as sprinkles. Promote pincer grasp by having the child pick up one piece at a time to sprinkle on his ice cream.
To grade the activity, use different ice cream scoops (i.e. with the thumb lever, spring-loaded handle, etc.) or other materials for ice cream, such as pom-poms or play-dough.
Need personalized support?
While these activities are great for home practice, nothing replaces the guidance of a licensed therapist. If you are in Irvine, CA or the Orange County area and have concerns about your child's Activities of daily living (ADL), we invite you to connect with us.
Contact Tumble N' Dots Therapy →These activities are for home practice and don't replace the guidance of a licensed therapist.
