Mummy Hand Wrap

Mummy Hand Wrap

Steps:

  • Prep several sheets of tissue paper and show your child how to tear it into long, ribbon-like strips. Tearing is a great workout for the small hand muscles!
  • Help your child secure the end of one tissue paper strip onto the stuffed animal’s leg or arm using a small piece of masking tape.
  • Challenge them to use two hands to carefully wrap the ‘mummy bandage’ all the way around the stuffed animal until it is fully covered (or mummified!).
  • When the toy is wrapped, secure the final end with another piece of tape, then enjoy the fun process of unwrapping and tearing off the bandages!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children during tearing activities to ensure paper is not put into the mouth. Keep the play area tidy, as tissue paper can become a slipping hazard if left scattered on the floor.

Web Lacing Rescue

Web Lacing Rescue

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Lay strips of masking tape sticky-side up across the cardboard edge, securing the ends underneath to make a sticky “loom.”
  • Leave about one inch of space between each sticky tape strip.
  • Cut a piece of yarn about 18 inches long. Tape one end of the yarn securely to the end of a craft stick to create your ‘needle.’
  • Hold the cardboard loom steady with your helper hand. Use your dominant hand to weave the craft stick and yarn “needle” under the first tape strip.
  • Next, challenge yourself to weave the yarn *over* the second tape strip, then under the third, creating a woven pattern across the sticky web.
  • Continue weaving across the web. When finished, carefully peel the woven yarn and tape off the cardboard to reveal your colorful woven mat!

Safety Tip:
Ensure the craft stick has no sharp edges before taping the yarn on. Closely supervise the child to ensure they do not pull the masking tape off the surface and place it in their mouth.

Sticky Straw Scoop

Sticky Straw Scoop

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘scoop’ by taking a straw and securing a small loop of masking tape (sticky side facing out) onto one end.
  • Place a pile of pom-poms on the table and the empty Container next to the Construction Paper target.
  • Show the child how to hold the straw using their thumb and index finger (a strong pincer grasp), just like holding a miniature pencil.
  • Challenge the child to carefully touch the sticky straw tip to a pom-pom, lifting it when it sticks firmly.
  • The child then transfers the sticky pom-pom over the container and uses their non-dominant hand or fingertips to peel it off the straw and drop it in.
  • Continue this process until all the pom-poms are successfully moved from the starting pile into the container.

Safety Tip:
Always provide close adult supervision during this activity. Ensure the child understands that the small pom-poms and tape are not to be put in the mouth.

Fuzzy Target Toss

Preschool girl practices crossing midline by peeling pom-poms off a velcro felt target taped to a kitchen cabinet door for shoulder strengthening.
Prepare your materials! Place a small circle of Velcro (the hook side is usually best) on the back of several pom-poms. Place the loop side of the Velcro on a large piece of Felt to create your target.

Use Masking Tape to secure the Felt target to a vertical surface, like a door or the side of a tall bookshelf.
Place the target high enough so your child has to reach up or slightly across their body to aim.
Have your child stand back a few feet and gently toss the pom-poms at the target. Cheer them on as they try to get the fuzzy items to stick!
After all the pom-poms are tossed, have your child practice peeling them off. Encourage them to use both hands—one to stabilize the felt, and the other to peel the pom-pom.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the target surface is stable. If your child is jumping or reaching high, spot them gently. Always supervise to ensure pom-poms are not placed in the mouth.

Foil Ball Toss

Foil Ball Toss

Steps:

  • Set up the target: Place the Aluminium Foil Pan (or a sturdy Container) on the floor a few feet away. Use Masking Tape to mark a “Foil Launcher Line” where the child must stand.
  • Give the child a sheet of Aluminium Foil. Encourage them to use both hands to tear off a medium-sized piece. Tearing this resistant material is a great workout!
  • Challenge the child to crumple the foil piece into the tightest, smallest ball they can using only their fingertips, focusing on squeezing hard to create a dense ‘golf ball’.
  • Have the child stand behind the line and toss their heavy foil ball into the target pan. Practice aiming and grading the force of the throw. Count how many they make!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise this activity closely. Ensure the child fully crumples the foil pieces before tossing to avoid sharp edges. Collect all small foil balls after play to prevent choking hazards or ingestion by pets.