Card Scroll Builders

Card Scroll Builders

Steps:

  • Place an Index Card flat on the table. Use your helper hand to stabilize the card firmly against the surface.
  • Use your working hand to place a pencil on the short edge of the card. Roll the card tightly around the pencil to create a firm scroll.
  • Once the card is fully rolled, carefully slide the pencil out while keeping the scroll tight. Place the finished scroll into the container.
  • Choose a small sticker. Use your precise pincer grasp (pinching fingers) to peel it off the backing.
  • Quickly wrap the sticker around the center of the scroll to keep it from unraveling. Challenge yourself to fill the container with colorful, tightly rolled scrolls!

Safety Tip:
Use large, age-appropriate stickers during this activity. Ensure close adult supervision to prevent the child from placing small stickers or paper pieces in the mouth.

Sticker Garden Peel

Sticker Garden Peel

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘garden’ by firmly taping a small piece of cardboard (or a stiff paper plate) to the table surface or high chair tray using masking tape. Securing the surface helps the child focus purely on peeling.
  • Place several easy-to-peel stickers (like dot stickers or large character stickers) onto the cardboard surface. Place them far enough apart that the child must target one at a time.
  • Encourage your child to use just their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) to try and peel the sticker off the cardboard. Provide verbal cues like, ‘Use your pinching fingers!’
  • Once peeled, the child can practice sticking the sticker onto another piece of paper or directly onto a designated container. This shift between peeling and sticking promotes bilateral hand coordination (stabilizing the paper/container with the non-working hand).

Safety Tip:
Due to the small size of many stickers, ensure close adult supervision at all times, as stickers can be a choking hazard if placed in the mouth. Only use high-quality stickers that peel cleanly.

Tape Tear Puzzle

Tape Tear Puzzle

Steps:

  • Prepare the ‘puzzle’ by taking a flat piece of cardboard (like the side of a shoe box) and covering the entire surface with large, overlapping strips of colorful masking tape, running them in various directions.
  • Present the cardboard to your toddler and encourage them to use their fingertips to explore the edges of the tape. Show them how to pinch the tape edge with their index finger and thumb.
  • Guide your child to use their non-working hand to hold the cardboard flat on the table, providing ‘proximal stability,’ while their other hand peels the tape off, tearing it into smaller pieces.
  • For an extra challenge, place a few favorite stickers underneath some of the tape strips as a surprise reward once the tape is successfully removed.

Safety Tip:
Always supervise toddlers closely during this activity. Ensure that torn pieces of masking tape are discarded immediately to prevent them from being placed in the mouth, as they pose a choking hazard.

Tower Sticker Challenge

Tower Sticker Challenge

Steps:

  • Prepare the target: Stack 3 to 4 empty Boxes on top of each other to create a stable, eye-level tower. Cover the tower sides with Paper and secure the paper firmly using Masking Tape.
  • Pre-peel the Stickers: Carefully peel most of the backing off 10-15 large Stickers (like dot stickers or large shapes) and place them securely onto the edge of the table or highchair tray, leaving a small corner for the child to grasp.
  • Challenge the Pincer Grasp: Encourage your child to use only their thumb and pointer finger to peel the rest of the Sticker off the table edge.
  • Attach the Stickers: Guide the child to walk over to the tower. Encourage them to use their helper hand to stabilize the Box while the dominant hand presses the sticker firmly onto the paper surface. Try to cover all sides of the tower!

Safety Tip:
Due to the risk of choking, constant, close adult supervision is required during this activity, as small stickers and paper pieces can easily be placed in the mouth by toddlers.

Vertical Tape Relief

Vertical Tape Relief

Steps:

  • Secure a flat piece of cardboard vertically onto a wall or door at your child’s eye level. Use extra masking tape to anchor it.
  • Use markers to draw a simple picture or design, like a big tree or an animal shape, on the cardboard.
  • Give the child long strips of masking tape. Encourage them to tear the tape into many small, 1-inch squares.
  • The child should use both hands for tearing. Drop the finished small pieces into the plastic container.
  • Pick up one small tape piece using only the thumb and pointer finger (pincer control).
  • Challenge your child to press the sticky side of the tape piece firmly onto the drawn shape. Strong, controlled pressure is needed.
  • Continue layering the tape pieces until the entire drawing is covered, creating a textured relief artwork. Add stickers for eyes or details.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required. Ensure the vertical cardboard is secured firmly to prevent it from falling. Always monitor children to ensure they do not attempt to place torn tape pieces in their mouths.