Sensory Squeeze Lines
Purpose
This activity gives your child deep pressure input (proprioception) in their hands while strengthening their intrinsic muscles. Squeezing the thick paint mixture requires heavy work. This heavy work is very calming for the nervous system and helps improve focus. The goal is to control the paint flow precisely to trace lines. This develops the fine motor control and precise force needed for writing and drawing later on. It’s a fun way to improve hand endurance and bilateral coordination.
Activity Steps
Steps:
- Mix Tempera Paint and a tablespoon of dry Rice in a bowl. Use a Spoon to stir until it is a thick, chunky paste that offers some resistance.
- Scoop the paint mixture into the bottom corner of a Ziplock Bag. Squeeze all the excess air out and seal the top of the bag tightly.
- Place the Construction Paper onto the Cardboard for a firm surface. Use scissors to snip a tiny corner off the Ziplock Bag (this creates the nozzle).
- Have your child use their non-dominant hand to hold the top of the bag steady. This provides proximal stability for the working hand.
- Encourage them to use their dominant hand to squeeze the bag firmly, pushing the paint out. Challenge them to control the squeeze to make textured lines and shapes.
Safety Tip:
Use non-toxic tempera paint and supervise closely. Due to the small size of the rice grains and the snipped Ziplock bag pieces, constant adult supervision is necessary to prevent choking or ingestion.
X
![]()
