“The Claw”
- Play time:
- 5 to 10 minutes
- Setup:
- 10 minutes
- Where:
- Table
Why it helps
This activity promotes bilateral coordination and grasp using a fun game. Choking risk: dried beans can be a choking hazard. Stay within arm's reach, and keep them away from children who still put things in their mouths.
Preparation:
- Take an empty cardboard box (with openings that create handles), and insert a gift wrapping paper tube through the openings.
- Tape a long piece of yarn to the gift wrapping paper tube.
- Draw a Toy Story Alien & cut it out.
- Tape the alien to the other end of the yarn.
Play:
Have your child hold both ends of the gift wrapping paper tube (“The Claw”) and turn it to wind the yarn around the tube, reeling in the alien.
Instruct the child to use alternating hands, or both hands at the same time.
To add a challenge, have the child use their non-dominant hand, create a longer line of yarn, or add resistance.
To add resistance, draw and cut out an alien on 2 pieces of paper, place beans on one paper, then staple the other paper on top to seal the beans inside.
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.
