Material: Tongs

Foam Slot Tongs

Foam Slot Tongs

Steps:

  • Adult Prep: Use markers to draw one narrow, horizontal slit (about 2 inches long) onto the container lid. Carefully cut the slit using scissors. Secure the lid shut with masking tape.
  • Use scissors to cut the foam sheets into many small, 1-inch squares. Drop the cut squares into the small container.
  • Place the target container flat on the table. Encourage your child to hold the container firmly with their helper hand to stabilize it.
  • Pick up the tongs. Use the tongs to grab one foam square using a strong pincer grip.
  • Carefully aim the foam piece toward the narrow slot. Push the foam piece completely through the slot and drop it inside the container.
  • Continue transferring all the foam pieces into the slot until the small container is empty.

Safety Tip:
Since this activity involves small foam pieces and the use of scissors during preparation, constant, direct adult supervision is required. Small pieces of foam are a choking hazard for children under five.

Sticky Bean Rescue

Sticky Bean Rescue

Steps:

  • Take a handful of Theraputty and hide the dry beans deep inside it. Mash the putty into a firm ball.
  • Press the putty firmly into the bottom of the plastic container. This keeps the sticky base steady for the rescue mission.
  • Pick up the tongs. Use them to carefully grip one bean at a time and pull it straight out of the sticky putty.
  • Transfer the rescued beans into a separate pile on the table. Count how many beans you saved!
  • If a bean is too deep or stubborn, use a craft stick to gently loosen it from the putty before trying again with the tongs.

Safety Tip:
Beans and Theraputty are small objects. Maintain constant adult supervision during this activity, as these materials pose a choking hazard for children under five. Ensure the child washes hands after using the putty.

Pocket Post Office

Pocket Post Office

Steps:

  • Roll the playdough into a thick, flat disc. Press it firmly into the bottom of the plastic container to create a stable base.
  • Stand 6 to 8 craft sticks up vertically by pushing them deep into the playdough base. Arrange the sticks close together to create narrow ‘pockets’ between them (these are the mail slots).
  • Put the pom-poms (the ‘mail’) into a small bowl and place them next to the container.
  • Use your thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp) or a pair of tongs to pick up one piece of mail at a time.
  • Hold the container steady with your helper hand. Carefully aim the mail into one of the narrow pockets between the sticks.
  • Use a strong, controlled push to send the mail deep into the playdough pocket. Repeat this until all the pockets are full!

Safety Tip:
Pom-poms and craft sticks are small objects. Maintain constant adult supervision during this activity, as these materials pose a choking hazard for children under five.

Treasure Transfer Challenge

Set the stage: Place two containers (like a bowl, cup, or bucket) on a table or the floor. Set them a short distance apart.

Prepare the “treasure”: Fill one of the containers with small items. You can use pom poms, small toys, or cotton balls.

Choose a tool: Give your child a pair of tongs/tweezers. If that’s too challenging, they can start with a large spoon.

Start the transfer: Ask your child to move the “treasure” pieces one by one from the full container to the empty one using only their tool.

Level up: To make it more challenging, move the containers further apart or encourage your child to use their non-dominant hand for a few turns!

 

Confetti Rainmakers

Confetti Rainmakers

Steps:

  • Invite your child to select several colors of construction paper. Their first job is to use the hole puncher to create a big pile of ‘rain’ or confetti. Encourage them to use both hands to stabilize the paper and squeeze the puncher with strength (great for hand intrinsic muscles!).
  • Place the paper cup next to the confetti pile. Challenge your child to use the tongs to pick up each tiny piece of confetti and drop it into the cup. This requires slow, careful pincer control and focus!
  • When the cup is full, encourage your child to stand up and hold the cup high above their head. Then, they can gently tilt it to make the colorful ‘confetti rain’ fall down, providing visual and proprioceptive input before repeating the scooping process.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the hole puncher is used correctly and supervise closely to prevent pieces of confetti from being placed in the mouth, nose, or ears.