Twist and Drill Wall Work

Ages:: Preschoolers (3 to 5), School age (6+)
Play time:: 10 to 15 minutes
Setup:: 5 minutes
Where:: Wall or easel

Why it helps

This activity provides great heavy work input to the joints and muscles of the arm. It strengthens the entire shoulder and core by challenging the child to work on a vertical surface. The twisting motion helps develop the rotary skills needed for tasks like opening jars, using screwdrivers, and twisting bottle caps. Using stiff putty ensures high resistance, which calms the nervous system and improves focus. This helps build the proximal stability necessary for fine motor tasks.

Steps

First, use the masking tape to secure a piece of sturdy cardboard vertically onto a stable wall or door at your child’s chest height.
Press a large, thick lump of Theraputty or stiff playdough firmly onto the center of the vertical cardboard. This is your resistant drill target.
Hold the craft stick like a pencil. Encourage your child to use their helper hand to stabilize the cardboard next to the putty.
Aim the craft stick at the putty. Use strong finger pressure and a twisting motion to 'drill' the stick deep into the resistant putty.
Switch directions and twist the stick the opposite way to pull it out. Repeat this drill motion, filling the putty surface with holes.
Try putting all the sticks in, then pull them out. See how fast you can twist and drill all the sticks into the target!

Safety tip: Constant and direct adult supervision is required. Theraputty (or playdough) and craft sticks are small objects and pose a significant choking hazard for children who still place items in their mouths. Ensure materials are used only as intended.

Make it easier

Use soft playdough instead of putty so the stick drills in with less effort.
Tape the board lower so your child can work with the elbow bent and close to the body.
Push the sticks straight in first, then add the twist once that feels easy.

Make it harder

Use firm putty and drill each stick deeper before twisting it back out.
Draw dots around the putty and drill in a pattern, like a circle or a smiley face.
Drill a few sticks with the non-dominant hand.

What to watch for

Notice whether the twist comes from turning the forearm or from bending the wrist side to side. Forearm turning is the movement this game works on.
Watch the helper hand. Pressing the board flat next to the putty keeps it from peeling off the wall.
If the sticky putty bothers your child, they can keep their fingers on the stick only while you reshape the putty.