Paper Flower
- Play time:
- 10 to 15 minutes
- Setup:
- 2 minutes
- Where:
- Table
Why it helps
By manipulating the pipe cleaner and pinching the muffin paper baking cups, the child is strengthening pincer grasp and working on hand dexterity.
Provide the child with one pipe cleaner and 5-6 paper baking cups. You can use colorful baking cups or white ones.
Instruct the child to pile up the baking cups. Pierce a small hole in the middle of the stacked paper cups, using the edge of the pipe cleaner.
The child might need your assistance when completing this step.
Insert the pipe cleaner through the hole, and bend the tip, to secure the pipe cleaner from coming out.
Have the child lift and pinch the top paper cup towards the middle.
Then, repeat this step with the rest of the baking cups, until all paper cups are held up altogether.
To secure the baking cups from sliding down, instruct the child to hold the last paper cup at the bottom, right where the pipe cleaner inserts, and twist the pipe cleaner around a couple of times to create a stopper.
Once the flower is ready, the child can loop the remaining pipe cleaner on a pencil or a pen, like a pencil topper, or he can make additional flowers to make a bouquet.
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 Bilateral Hand Use, 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.
