Skill: Bilateral Hand Use

The ability to use both hands together as a team. We use this for almost everything, like holding the paper with one hand while cutting with the other, or buttoning a shirt.

The Aluminum Foil Pincer Boats

The Aluminum Foil Pincer Boats

Steps:

  • Tear off small squares of aluminum foil using both hands.
  • Pinch and fold the edges up to make a tiny boat shape.
  • Fill a plastic container with water and float your boats.
  • Use tweezers to pick up one bead at a time.
  • Carefully place the beads into the boats one by one.
  • Try to keep the boat level so it does not sink!

Safety Tip:
Beads and small foil pieces are a choking hazard. Always supervise your child during water play.

Ribbon Rescue Basket Mission

Ribbon Rescue Basket Mission

Steps:

  • Grab a plastic basket with holes on the sides.
  • Place a favorite stuffed animal inside the basket.
  • Take long pieces of ribbon and weave them through the holes.
  • Crisscross the ribbon over the top to trap the toy.
  • Ask your child to rescue the toy by unweaving the ribbon.
  • They must pull each ribbon completely out through the holes.
  • Encourage them to use one hand to hold the basket and the other to pull.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended to ensure the long ribbons do not get tangled around the child.

The Pipe Cleaner Reef Rescue

The Pipe Cleaner Reef Rescue

Steps:

  • Turn the egg carton upside down on the table.
  • Use markers to color each bump of the carton a different color.
  • Use the tip of your scissors to poke a small hole in the top of each bump.
  • Pick up a pipe cleaner and push it into one of the holes.
  • Bend the pipe cleaner so it looks like wavy seaweed.
  • Pick up a bead and slide it onto the pipe cleaner seaweed.
  • Repeat this for all the holes until your reef is full of color!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is required when using scissors. These should only be used to poke the holes. Beads are a choking hazard; keep them away from younger children and pets.

The Yarn Cross Clip Challenge

The Yarn Cross Clip Challenge

Steps:

  • Take a large, flat piece of Cardboard. Use Masking Tape to secure it to a table.
  • Cut several long pieces of Yarn. Tape the ends to the edges of the cardboard.
  • Stretch the yarn in different directions so they stretch across the middle of the board.
  • Make sure the yarn pieces cross each other to create several X shapes.
  • Give your child a handful of Clothespins. Use Markers to draw a dot on each pin.
  • Challenge your child to find a spot where two pieces of yarn cross.
  • They must reach across the board and clip a clothespin exactly on that X.
  • Encourage them to keep their helper hand resting on the cardboard corner for stability.
  • Once all the X spots are clipped, see if they can un-clip them with one hand!

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended. Ensure the cardboard has smooth edges. Keep small clothespins away from younger children who might swallow them.

The Yarn Star Weaver

The Yarn Star Weaver

Steps:

  • Glue two craft sticks together in the shape of a cross.
  • Wait for the glue to dry so the sticks are sturdy.
  • Tie the end of your yarn to the center of the cross.
  • Wrap the yarn once around one stick, then move to the next.
  • Continue this wrapping pattern until the star reaches your desired size.
  • Use scissors to cut the yarn and tie a final knot to finish.

Safety Tip:
Adult supervision is recommended while using scissors and glue. Ensure the craft sticks are smooth to prevent any small splinters.