Material: Spoon

Cotton Cloud Transfer

Preschool child kneeling on a wooden floor doing a cotton ball transfer activity with a spoon and colored bowls, improving coordination and motor skills.

Steps:

  • Use Masking Tape to mark a starting point (Bowl 1) and a finish line (Bowl 2) about three feet apart on a table or floor.
  • Fill the first Bowl with 10-15 Cotton Balls, leaving the second Bowl empty. Use a small amount of water to slightly dampen the cotton balls if extra challenge is needed for stability.
  • Challenge your child to use the Spoon to scoop one Cotton Ball at a time and slowly carry it across the designated space and drop it into the empty Bowl without dropping it.
  • Encourage them to keep their non-dominant hand resting on the table or floor for stability (the ‘helper hand’) while scooping and transferring.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the bowls are stable and non-slip to prevent frustration. Always provide close supervision during fine motor activities.

Tee Time Smash

Steps:

  • Set up the ‘smashing station’ by placing the block of Styrofoam on a sturdy, non-slip surface, like a placemat on the kitchen table or floor.
  • Show your child how to place the blunt end of a golf tee onto the Styrofoam block. They must use their non-dominant (helper) hand to stabilize and hold the Styrofoam steady.
  • Using a spoon held like a hammer, encourage your child to tap the golf tee until it pushes all the way into the Styrofoam. They must grade their force to ensure the tee is fully embedded.
  • Once all the tees are smashed in, switch roles! Have your child use their finger tips or the back of the spoon to pull the tees back out, working on fine motor control and pincer grasp.

Safety Tip:
Ensure close supervision to prevent the child from putting the golf tees in their mouth or throwing the spoon. This activity requires moderate force, so make sure the table is stable.

Beach Cup

Food Craft Beach Cup

This beach cup activity provides the child with a fun chance to build trust with new food items through play and creating.

You can substitute the different ingredients to make your own creation.

Preparation:

Step 1: Squeeze or scoop blue yogurt into a clear cup.

Step 2: Take 2 graham crackers and place them into a ziploc bag. Have the child squeeze, scrunch, and smash the graham crackers into “sand like” pieces.

Step 3: Pour the graham crackers on top of the yogurt.

Step 4: Ask your child to identify characteristics of food item, using their other senses. Provide them with the language to build that connection with the food in their brain.

Is it crunchy?
Is it smooth?
What does it smell like?

Step 5: Top off with an umbrella.

Tip: Cut off the pointed bottom part of the toothpick or assist as needed. Don’t forget the spoon!

Ballgown Jewlery

This activity was inspired by our kiddo’s favorite princess, whose fairy godmother transformed a pumpkin to take her to a ball in a beautiful ballgown, with sparkling jewelry, and glass slippers.

Step 1: Place toy jewelry into each slot of an ice tray. You may use pieces of beaded-necklaces, toy diamonds or toy earrings. Ensure safety by eliminating choking hazards and supervising children at all times.
Step 2: Pour water into the ice tray.
Step 3: Freeze.
Step 4: Remove from the freezer and place the jewelry-filled ice cubes into a bowl.
Step 5: Squeeze a squirt bottle filled with water to melt ice cubes. You may add food coloring for an additional visual effect.
Step 6: Melt the ice cube until the jewelry is set free.
Step 7: Scoop the jewelry out with a spoon or scooping utensil to practice self-feeding skills.
Step 8: Count your sparkling pieces of jewelry!